As we enter into a new year of Sunday School and Bible study group ministry, it is time to stretch. It is time to recapture possibilities. It is time to pursue God’s purpose. And it’s time to redream the dream, to recognize the potential for my Sunday School and my class/group. It’s time to ask the risky but positive question: “What if?”
My Purpose
As a Sunday School teacher, my purpose comes from the Lord. First of all as a disciple, our Lord called us to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…teaching them to observe” everything Jesus commanded us (Matthew 28:19-20, CSB). Notice the word, “observe.” Notice the content: everything He commanded us. My job is bigger than teaching; it is making disciples. The job is not finished with leading them to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. I must walk beside my disciples to teach them to live out what they are learning, to observe or obey His commands.
Second, our Lord “gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11-12, CSB). My purpose is given to me by Jesus. My purpose is to build up the body of Christ, and the way I can do so as a Sunday School/Bible study leader is to equip my disciples to serve, to do the work of ministry. That purpose is to impact the heads along with the hearts and hands of my disciples.
My Vision: “What if…?”
It is easy to grow stale, complacent, and comfortable. It is easy to settle into a routine of lesson preparation and teaching with little or no impact. Our Lord expects more. Instead I must ask myself “what if” questions and consistently adjust my vision and plans to join Him where He is at work. Consider a few of the “what if” questions below:
What if I ask my disciples…
- to read the scripture or lesson this week? or study to find an answer to a question?
- to apply the truth of the lesson and share it with a prayer partner at the end of the lesson?
- to write down what they will do this week as a result of the lesson and report on what they did next week?
- to divide into three serving teams and ask everyone to choose one?
- to pray for and invite a different person consistently each quarter?
- to help me teach the lesson, care for members and absentees, and reach out and enroll new people?
- to help me as I lead the class so I can help them develop competence and confidence?
- to serve wherever the Lord calls them?
- to pray about leaving to be teachers for preschoolers, children, or students?
- to pray about helping start a new adult class/group?
The Disciple Are Worth the Risk
As the leader of this group of disciples, I am the one who will be held accountable for the number and spiritual condition of those in my care. Our Lord has promised to be with me (Matthew 28:20); I don’t do this work alone. And many in our care are waiting to be asked to help. So why are you hestitating? Take a step. Take a risk. Allow your vision (His vision) to lead you to ask them “what if” questions. Don’t be surprised when they answer, “Why not?” They are worth it. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!
Photo by Valentín Betancur on Unsplash
Haha, what if the real what if is what if *I* asked the Lord to send me some disciples who actually knew how to operate a Segway? Then we could really move your Sunday School forward with style! But seriously, the article hits the nail on the head – those what if questions are like spiritual jumpstarts. Its easy to get stuck in lesson prep only mode, isnt it? Time to shake things up, take a risk, and maybe not all my disciples will say Why not? after I ask, but some will! Building up the body of Christ has to be more than just coffee and clichés. Lets get those hands and hearts moving!vongquaymayman