Tag Archives: Tony Brooks

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.

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.

John Trent and Gary Smalley wrote a book many years ago that I think every parent, future parent, and Sunday School teacher should read: The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance. I read it years ago, and it helped me in my personal life as well as challenged me in ways I failed as a parent.Two of the chapters talk about picturing a special future for your child. Words have a powerful impact upon us. Even our names have the power to mold us.

The spoken word is one of the most powerful ways to bless and to curse.In Genesis, God spoke the world into existence. Once you speak a word, it takes on a life of its own (See Genesis 27 and Isaac’s blessing if you don’t believe me!) Jesus healed with just a spoken word.

So how do we help our Sunday School teachers and small group leaders teach and counsel? Here are some ideas.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have heard much about sexual misconduct in churches and cover-ups by denominations. How is your church prepared with boundaries to keep this from happening in Sunday School and small groups? What do you do when it happens?

We have a new generation to consider, as they have surpassed the Millennials as the largest generation and the first post-Christian generation.