In this series, I’ve challenged us to make sure our classes are ready to celebrate our Lord’s birth. I hope the series reminds us to give Jesus our best. I am suggesting twelve gifts this Christmas. Since Part 1, I have asked how you would fill in that day’s verse of this variation of the song, Twelve Days of Christmas (for a YouTubeof the original song to inspire you, press the link). Here is what I have offered for the first four verses:
- On the first day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Love of God, neighbors, and self.
- On the second day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Start of a second class.
- On the third day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Prayer for three prospects.
- On the fourth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Four ministry calls.
Take a moment to consider how you would complete the fifth verse:
On the fifth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…
How did you complete the fifth verse? Ask for your class’ response. Turn it into a request for class members’ commitment. Give your response to Christ and to each other. Make Christmas special by giving Jesus twelve birthday presents this year!
Here is how I would respond to today’s verse:
Five quiet times.
One of the single most important things that your class members can do to increase their growth as disciples is to have daily intake of God’s Word. Unfortunately, most studies show that Christians are not reading the Bible and praying daily. Challenge is needed here, and a Sunday School class is a great place to provide it.
How can you help your members add this essential discipleship action to their daily routine? Choose a Bible reading plan together. Lead them to make personal commitments to a daily time to read the Bible. Pair off for encouragement to stay on track. Ask for reports in class about what they are learning. Ask what they have not understood in their reading. Ask how God is using the investment of time.
Affirm positive steps. Too often we do not reward the right things. Offer a reward for those who complete a section. Offer a reward to those who have five quiet times each week for at least ten weeks each quarter. The reward can be a printed certificate or a candy bar. It can simply be a verbal blessing in class.
This simple action enables so many things. Reading the Bible daily connects them with God. Teach them to listen to Him! Reading the Bible provides life guidance. It adds broader understanding of God’s Word as groundwork for every week’s lesson. And it gives natural opportunity for sharing with people on life’s paths.
Set the example. Have five quiet times yourself and share about your experience. Then challenge your class to do the same. Do more than sing the words to today’s verse! Commit to it! Live it! Do it! Pray. Read. Listen. Apply. Share. Grow. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!
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