• Home
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact

Sunday School Revolutionary

Sunday School matters. Be revolutionary!

Why Are You Doing Sunday School?

December 4, 2014 by Darryl Wilson Leave a Comment

Purpose matters. Over the years, I have come to understand that people need to know more than “how” to do things. “Why” is important. If people lack an understanding of “why,” then “how” seldom matters for long. The action or method may begin with energy and accuracy but frequently motivation fizzles resulting in cutting corners, questioning, and ceasing the activity.

For instance, a class outreach leader is enlisted and told to develop a prospect list. He starts without fully understanding “why” he is needed except for developing the list. And he is not told “why” the list is needed. He gathers a few names with contact information from class members and the church office, but without understanding “why” nothing is done with the list. His effort was simply busywork.

The same issue applies to Sunday School. If you ask pastors, Sunday School directors, or teacher “why” their church does Sunday School, you would likely get a variety of responses. Some would say it is so people will learn more about the Bible. Others might say that Sunday School is to strengthen relationships and connections. Still others might it is to equip the saints to serve in the church and community. A few might recognize that Sunday School reaches the lost, wins them to Jesus, and helps them to grow as disciples.

“Why” makes a difference in “what” you do and “how” you do it. A narrow or incorrect motivation changes interest and direction. Too many Sunday School champions and leaders have small or no understanding of “why.”

Add “why” to everything you do. When you do training about “how,” add “why.” Tell them why it is important. Tell them why it makes a difference. When you have an appreciation event, affirm the “what” and “how,” but tell them “why” their actions make so much difference.

Paint the “why” BIG. Connect what Sunday School leaders do to the Great Commission and the work of the church. Raise a vision for why the work of Sunday School is so important. Help them to see the possibilities. Help them to see how Sunday School makes a vital contribution. “Why” is important!

Why are you doing Sunday School? Stop to write down your answer. Ask your leaders and members to share their answers to that question. Talk about it. Raise your vision together. Stretch toward the goal. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!

Related posts:

Launching a New Year of Sunday School

Growing Sunday School Research, Part 1

Is the Size of Your Sunday School POT Keeping You Small, Part 1

Be Intentional in Your Sunday School Leadership!

Filed Under: Pastors/Sunday School Directors Tagged With: enlistment, motivation, purpose, reason, understanding, why

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for Something?

Subscribe

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Connect With Me

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Order Copies of Discipling and Caring

 

Two encounters are critical. First, the leader encounters God in His Word and is changed. Second, the leader guides the group to have a life-changing encounter.

Order Your Copy Today!

In John 13:34-35, three times Jesus said, “Love one another.” Your group is the ideal place to practice and launch the kind of love for one another that shows the world that we are His disciples.

Order Your Copy Today!

Categories

  • 100 Small Changes (103)
  • 30 Days of Prayer (2)
  • 31 Day Countdown (31)
  • 31 Days of 3 Roles for Guiding Groups (30)
  • 31 Days of Extreme Sunday School (26)
  • 31 Days of Missionary Sunday School (29)
  • 31 Days of Transformational Class (31)
  • 31 Days Series (2)
  • 31 Days to a Better Teacher (33)
  • 31 Ideas of Outreach & Evangelism (31)
  • 5 Weeks of Flake (27)
  • Assimilation (332)
  • Best Practices (6)
  • Bible Study (95)
  • Connect (16)
  • Disciplemaking (30)
  • Enlistment (44)
  • Enrollment (50)
  • Evangelism (75)
  • Events (26)
  • Flake's Formula (22)
  • Great Expectations (33)
  • Group Life (34)
  • Growing your Group (58)
  • Job Description (33)
  • Leadership (329)
  • Learning (52)
  • Ministry (123)
  • Misc (230)
  • Mission (53)
  • New Groups (52)
  • Organization (30)
  • Outreach (455)
  • Outreach/Evangelism (160)
  • Pastors/Sunday School Directors (476)
  • Planning (199)
  • Prayer (59)
  • Resources (44)
  • Serving (4)
  • Small Groups (144)
  • Space (17)
  • Space and Facilities (19)
  • Space/Arrangement (11)
  • Spiritual Disciplines (7)
  • Spiritual Maturity (265)
  • Starting New Classes (143)
  • Sunday School (457)
  • Teaching (589)
  • Theology (2)
  • Training (31)
  • Transformation (22)
  • Vacation Bible School (18)

Together we can make the needed changes to strengthen leaders and churches to reach Kentucky and the world for Christ.