Unfortunately, even duct tape won’t keep people in Bible study. Strong as this gray stuff might be, it cannot hold people together emotionally or spiritually. Only a class that makes assimilating people a serious priority will keep people who attend.

Ten Best Practices To Make Your Sunday School Work – Resource Book

Assimilating newcomers into our classes is the responsibility every member. An Adult Sunday School class should be alive with excitement and relationships, bound together in love through the “glue” of faith in Christ. Unlike duct tape, the glue that binds people together is something eternal and alive.

Assimilation is not a one-shot effort. Drawing people into the family and developing spiritual giants is an ongoing process that requires constant effort and training. Consider how to make people feel welcome and draw them into the fellowship of the class.

Develop a reaching mindset. Reaching newcomers begins when a person enters the classroom. When a newcomer visits, each leader and member should see this person as someone God has brought into the class for us to reach and draw into the class. 

Greet and connect with newcomers. Have a designated greeter each week who “adopts” newcomers for the morning. Greeters should introduce newcomers to others in the group, take care of acquiring items for the newcomer and ask the newcomer to join him or her for the morning worship service.

Meet expectations. Most of us feel that when we make an effort to come to a class or church, someone should make an effort to express appreciation for our coming and concern for us as individuals and as a family. Questions such as, Are you looking for a specific kind of study group? or Can we help you in any particular way? might help leaders understand newcomers’ needs.

Use name tags for everyone. Whenever newcomers attend, name tags should be brought out for everyone. Name tags for everyone allows newcomers to speak to others by name and get to know others in the class.

Invite newcomers to social events. Each newcomer should be invited to any and all social events planned. A member - preferably the greeter mentioned above - should offer to bring the newcomer to the fellowship event.

Maintain contact. Start with a home visit within 48 hours, preferably by someone other than the teacher. Then have other members call or write to the newcomer during the next four to six weeks.

Stay focused. Remember, a class exists to help people become more Christlike through Bible study and fellowship. Spiritual growth should be the reason the class meets. Limit the time spent in class on matters other than Bible study, even though you still want newcomers feel accepted and appreciated.

Whenever I attend a Bible study group, I look for several qualities in leaders and classes. One of the most important characteristics is authenticity in leaders and members. I want to know that I’m appreciated as a newcomer and that others in the class are sincerely seeking an encounter with God through this class.

If I cannot connect with people in the group or feel that the Bible study experience is little more than an academic experience, I’m not likely to come back. So ask yourself this question: What would a newcomer get out of your class if he or she showed up this week?