There are hundreds of outreach ideas that can be adopted by classes of every age. Some are one-time events. Others are ongoing relationships with individuals, groups, or organizations.
In my experience, classes need help in thinking about the needs of those outside the walls of the church. Every class needs to focus first on God, then on others, then on self. It has been represented it as JOY: Jesus, Others, Yourself. A former pastor of Third Baptist in Owensboro developed a motto for the church: God First, Others Second, We’re Third!
I remember co-teaching a group of younger boys. In November, we talked about needy families and challenged the boys to bring food each week before Thanksgiving. We prayed that God would send us to a family that needed help. I’ll never forget the night before Thanksgiving, we met together, took a van to a trailer park, and knocked on the door. We were greeted warmly and invited into the home. The family was surprised to see us and overwhelmed with what we brought. When they opened the refrigerator, it was nearly empty. The family would have had very little for which to be thankful the next day if we had not come. As long as I live, I’ll never forget the look on the faces of the boys. They continued to be concerned for, pray for, and want to reach out to that family in the weeks and months that followed.
What are you doing to take your revolutionary Sunday School care and concern to the world that so needs Him and His love? How are you leading the members of your class to take responsibility for the sheep Jesus claimed in John 10:16?
Need some ideas? Check out the Assemblies of God website for ideas: from babysitting to drying cars at do-it-yourself car washes to water giveaways. For children’s outreach ideas, think about fishing, skating, birthday, or other events. For ideas about where to find prospect names, check out this website. For ideas about senior adult outreach, check out this website.
Two revolutionary closing suggestions: (1) pray for God’s leadership and help and (2) make sure every class has someone in charge of outreach. Reach out. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!
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