Yesterday’s article (Reality Revealed) conveyed to us the reality of today’s culture and worldview as it pertains to Sunday School. The last line of the article stated, “There is Hope.” There is hope because with Jesus there is ALWAYS hope; with Jesus there is light at the end of the tunnel; with Jesus there is victory when the whole world is against you; with Jesus there is hope for new Sunday School classes to be started. Does that last statement surprise you?
As Sunday School leaders from all across the nation catch the vision to begin new groups, a revolution will begin to take place. I am reminded of John 15 where Jesus said that He was the Vine, we were the branches, and God (the Father) is the Gardener. In this passage Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing.”
First of all, we need to remember that Jesus is our source of strength and the supplier of all our needs. We should not want to do anything apart from Him.
Secondly, Jesus said that as the Father (the Gardener) prunes us, He does it for a reason…so we will bare more fruit. Therefore, if we take this principle to heart and allow God (the Father) to prune, massage, and cultivate our Sunday School class, the natural reaction is New Growth!
One thing that I have learned as I ponder this passage is that it is not just the new branches that bring forth fruit, but it is the whole tree. Therefore, if Sunday School classes would allow God (the Gardener) to do His work in their individual lives, not only would we see new groups started, but those
involved in the process would receive the benefit of new growth as well.
It was Arthur Flake who said, “Know your Possibilities.” He advocated surveying the community to determine what persons might be prospective Sunday School members. Goals were established based on real actionable information. There are various ways to do that today. Could new Sunday School classes be started because of your interest in the community in which you serve?
May God start His pruning today and new groups be started tomorrow.
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