Tag Archives: Tony Brooks

Sunday School/Bible study should lead our members to see people with God’s eyes. Some in our society discern whether to care or not based on socio-economic level, race, and appearance.We are called to look at the heart and see every person as a child of God. Though some may not feel comfortable at first coming to your church for Bible study, they may join you for a home Bible study or one in their community. First, they need to see you care—with Jesus’ compassion. When you do, you are ministering to Jesus himself, whether they come to your church or not.

Just a week ago, I had a chance to see the new Lion King movie. It reminded me of lessons that I learned from the original movie, so I’ve decided it is time to share those. What are some of the lessons we can learn and share in Sunday School and Small Groups?

We cannot get around it. Vision is important! Pastors, staff members, and Sunday School directors, this article is for you! Proverbs 29:18 reminds us, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.”We need vision to move us forward. God always wants to move us forward.

I believe through years of education, wisdom from many professors, and years of ministry experience that we are created to imagine, create goodness, and seek to be co-creators with God in order for earth to be more like heaven. What would it look like for our Sunday School classes/small groups to imagine new possibilities, create goodness, and seek to be co-creators?

If we are taking Sunday School/small group Bible study seriously as a place for transformation (instead of knowledge) and a community of faith (instead of simply a classroom experience), then we need to begin understanding how it can be a discipling process. Sunday School/small group is one of the church’s ministries where biblical application, more intimate relationships, and ongoing learning can enhance the transformative process to be more like Christ.

Most of our churches still have Vacation Bible School in the summer. Some of our churches have sports camps, music, arts, and other types of camps to reach children in the community. These are all great events, and they give you a chance to show God’s love to children and to share God’s word with them and their families. What do you do after the event is over to continue to “train up a child?”

There are many differences based on generational issues, political issues and socio-economic classes in our churches. There is one thing we all yearn for…a community that cares in times of need. This is especially true when someone is facing a serious, life-changing disease such as cancer. As a Sunday School class or small group, how can we best show that we care?

Today I want to challenge pastors, paid staff members (responsible for Sunday School and discipleship) and Sunday School directors about some misnomers around Sunday School and discipleship.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14 NIV)Our culture is rapidly changing. We all know the statistics that the younger the generation, the less they attend church. What are some of the major needs as we try to reach children?

When did adults begin to think they had graduated from Sunday School?

In Missionary Sunday School, David Francis discusses the Two Year Principle for Sunday School and what to do about it. So what is the Two Year Principle? An adult Sunday School class is highly unlikely to grow past the attendance it achieves in its first two years. The 20 percent principle applies after that. You will gain and lose twenty percent of a class each year. If you have 20 people in the class, you may lose up to four persons and then gain up to four new persons. So why is all of this significant?  

In The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell suggests three characteristics that lead to an epidemic…good or bad.

How are you encouraging class members to share what God is doing in their lives? Mike Breen, in Building a Discipling Culture, calls these “Kairos moments.” Some prefer calling them Kingdom moments. These are moments when we stop and observe something good or bad and begin reflecting upon what God wants us to do.

You and I need to be ready to reach new guests in new ways. Here are some ideas.

Start with vision! How are you sharing the vision that every follower of Christ should be in an ongoing Bible study? The Great Commandment is clear that we should love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.