Caringly Follow up Every Sunday School Guest

This post is ninth in a series expanding on twenty methods in response to How Can I Grow My Sunday School Class Numerically?. The ninth method listed there was this one:

Caringly follow up every Sunday School guest.

In order to grow numerically in pursuit of obedience to the command of the Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations,” Sunday School can help.

The easiest fruit to pick is the low-hanging fruit or that which has fallen to the ground. In the same way, those who show up in class are those who are interested. The best way to get them to enroll is to ask them. And you are more likely to get them to say yes if they return for a second visit. And the best way for them to make a second visit is to help them to have a great first visit.

How can we help guests have a great experience? Be interested in them without acting nosey. Listen and give them attention. Care. Pray for them. Have a great time in God’s Word together. Use name tags. Class greeters introduce them to people in the class and then take them to restrooms, their children, and worship.

Then comes an important step. Don’t forget to follow up on the visit. Call, write, or visit. Make a contact within 72 hours if possible. It helps if a class member can make a contact.

What should you say by phone or visit? Thank the guest for being in class. Ask if the guest had any questions about the class, worship, or the church. (If you are brave, you can ask if he/she had any suggestions for improving class, worship, or your greeting system.)  Invite him/her to an upcoming class fellowship. (Perhaps offer to pick him/her up.) Share about next week’s lesson and how it’s relevant to today. Share a prayer request and ask how you can pray for them. Then pray with them.

Assign the guest to someone for weekly contact (perhaps to a Care Group Leader). Vary the method of contact. Changing the person who contacts the individual can also help if notes are passed along to new people making contacts. That will prevent having to ask the same questions each time. Care is key!

What other actions have you or your class discovered which can help in your efforts to caringly follow up on guests? Stay sensitive to discovered needs. Contact. Care. Follow up. Invite. Be revolutionary!