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It's the classic match-up between the tried and true, traditional, all age group friendly assimilation model – Sunday School – pitted against the intimate, flexible, let's-do-life together, connect your church members to each other retention model – home-based small groups. Church leaders have debated the advantages and disadvantages of each for decades with no clear resolution.

To bring clarity to this clouded issue, LifeWay Training is bringing in the big guns for a title bout throw down. In one corner sits David Francis, LifeWay's Sunday School Guy, the reigning champion and consummate leader of Sunday morning on-campus education model for traditional churches. In the opposite corner sits Rick Howerton, LifeWay's Small Groupologist, foremost expert on the principles and practices of small group life, former church planter, and kingpin of creating redemptive community.

These two thought leaders on the subjects of Sunday School and Small Groups come together to discuss/debate the various issues swirling around each educational model. If you a have ever considered adding Small Groups or Sunday School into your existing ministry, this dynamic, live eLearning training session is for you!


WATCH THEM DUKE IT OUT :: MAY 19, 2009

You will walk away with a new understanding of Sunday School vs. Small Groups as well as answers to the following issues:

  • Which is the "best" method
  • Is there really any difference, it's just two different names for bible-study groups
  • Why would I want off-campus groups
  • Can Sunday School and Small Groups really work together
  • Won't I lose Sunday School members if I start Small Groups
  • Can't you have intimacy in Sunday School
  • Are Small Groups ever welcoming to new members
  • Small Groups don't seem to help with biblical literacy
  • How can I keep Small Groups on target theologically when every group member has an opinion, whereas Sunday School classes have a knowledgeable teacher




 

"The Main Event"



David Francis
"The Punisher"

As Director of Sunday School, David Francis leads the program ministry of Sunday School for Southern Baptists nationally and the leader for Sunday School curriculum development within LifeWay. Prior to his current LifeWay assignment, Francis served as Associate Director of the Church Leadership Group, then Director of Regional Operations.

Before joining LifeWay in 1997, Francis was Associate Pastor and Minister of Education at First Baptist Church, Garland, Texas, where he served 13 years. While attending Southwestern Seminary (Master of Arts in Religious Education, 1983), he served Kiestwood Baptist Church in Dallas for two years as Minister of Education and Administration. Called to vocational ministry and ordained as a deacon while serving in the United States Air Force (1972-77), Francis is a graduate of Baylor University (B.A., Business Administration and Religion, 1980).

David and wife Vickie have been married 34 years. They have three sons and four grandchildren. They live in Hendersonville, TN, where they teach pre-K Sunday School at Long Hollow Baptist Church.

Francis is the author of Five LifeWay resources:

  • Spiritual Gifts: A Practical Guide to How God Works through You
  • The Five-Step Formula for Sunday School Growth
  • The 3D Sunday School, I-6
  • A Six-Lane Strategy Toward an Inviting Sunday School
  • The Discover Triad-Three Facets of a Dynamic Sunday School Class
  • Connect 3: The Power of One Sunday School Class

Rick Howerton
"The Rock"

Rick is one of the premier leaders in the small-group movement. Having facilitated an untold number of small-group journeys over the last 17 years, his passion is contagious. This guy honestly believes that small groups can and will change the world! An experienced small-group pastor (he built one church’s small-group ministry from nothing to 450 members in just a few short years), Rick is also a church planter.

Rick has authored or co-authored three small-group studies:

  • Small-Group Kick-Off Retreat: Experiential Training for Group Leaders
  • Great Beginnings: Your First Small-Group Study
  • Redeeming the Tears: A Journey Through Grief and Loss

Rick is also author of Destination Community: Small-Group Ministry Manual, an all-encompassing, 172-page guide to creating a small-group ministry and starting and leading passionate, life-changing small groups. The book has been enthusiastically received:

"Rick spreads a fresh canvas for envisioning small-group ministry. It reaches beyond the how-tos and into the heart and soul of living in community. Destination Community will challenge and equip you to do life together and not just play church. A great tool for leaders who are serious about experiencing redemptive, culture-transforming community!" - Steve Gladen, Saddleback Church



 
Starting a Small Group Ministry
Assign Players to Their Positions: Grading the Sunday School
Scout the Opposing Team: Preparing for Spiritual Battle

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