What would happen if you had a special day in the spring and fall in which you emphasized Sunday School? On that day you invited every member, absentee, and prospect to attend. And on Saturday, classes called everyone to remind them about the special day that was planned. Special prayer time for the day and for people who will attend took place in advance of the day. Everyone spruced up the place in anticipation of having guests. A light breakfast was offered before Sunday School with an emphasis on fellowship.
Everybody wore name tags. All guests were registered. Greeters were everywhere throughout the church and actively present in every class. A little extra time was spent in every class on intentional fellowship. Icebreakers were used intentionally to make people comfortable and get them talking. Lessons were prepared well.
After class, greeters walked guests and long-term absentees to find their children, to restrooms, and to worship. In the sanctuary, members were encouraged in advance to spend time getting to know those they don’t know as well. Class greeters introduced guests to those seated around them in worship. The welcome from the pulpit was heart-felt.
The service was designed and message was prepared to undergird this special emphasis on the importance of small group Bible study. The invitation was given and people were invited to complete a special commitment card designed just for the day. People were asked to commit to pray for, join, and faithfully attend a group. New classes that will start on the following Sunday were announced.
At the end of the service, a brief (30-minute) Sunday School open house had been planned and was announced. As attenders depart, an attractive brochure about all of the classes offered was handed out at the doors. Members and guests were invited to drop by adult, youth, children, and preschool classes to meet the teachers and leaders and for some light refreshments. It was announced that guides wearing “I love Sunday School” badges would help people decide on a group to visit and help them find their way to the group.
Teachers and other class leaders were prepared to ask guests to enroll in the class and talk about upcoming lessons and class fellowships. Every set of teachers/class leaders took time with guests to pray with them. People in adult classes were ready to guide guests to classes for their children. Nothing is drawn out; everything is kept genuinely friendly but short.
What might happen in your church if you offered a Sunday School open house? Could it be that guests would join Sunday School? Could worshipers who had been attending for months try and join Sunday School? Could long-time members who never found a class join? Could your enrollment and attendance jump up ten or twenty or fifty? Don’t forget to emphasize Sunday School throughout the year. Pray. Have an open house. Invite. Enroll. Minister. Love. Be revolutionary!
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