Handbook. FOR STARTING New Units BIBLE STUDY

Transcription

1 Handbook FOR STARTING New Units BIBLE STUDY

2 Dear Co-Laborer and friend in Christ, Jay Johnston, Director Church Ministry Leadership Group I am delighted that you have this resource in your hands. I, along with others at LifeWay and the North American Mission Board, have prayed for you. Our prayer is that God will raise up people across our nation who are willing to start new evangelistic Bible study units. Our belief is that through these Bible study units children, students, and adults will be told about the story of Jesus and become disciples of Jesus and, as a result, they will go tell others. We live in a high tech society that is hungry for the touch of the caring message of Christ. When Jesus reflected on His own ministry, He used Isaiah 61: The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners (Isa. 61:1, HCSB). New evangelistic Bible study units engage believers in carrying to a lost and hurting world the wonderful good news of God s Word, the caring touch of God, and liberty and freedom found in Christ. Dr. J.M. Barnette in his book The Pull of the People writes about a Sunday School having branches all around its community so that people might be taught about Jesus. He goes on to say, Out there, beyond the reach of your church, are little children, young people, parents, yes, whole families not in any Sunday School or any kind of church service. Whether audibly expressed or not, the cry from these people is, Christians, please come and help us! Do you have branches that are extending to the lost? Do you have fresh growth within your Sunday School? Are your existing branches bearing fruit? Christ said, My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples (John 15:8, HCSB). What fruit are you producing as a disciple of Jesus? Across our nation we can start thousands of new Bible study units targeting the unchurched, unsaved, and uninvolved. History has proven that as we begin Bible study groups, founded on strong principles, people will come to Christ and the kingdom of God will be expanded. Consistently, it has been proven that new evangelistic Bible study units when started effectively will create a greater focus on people who need to be reached and will grow more quickly than older established units. New units are easier for new people to penetrate and are usually more evangelistic. You have heard it said that, a journey begins with the first step. Our prayer is that tens of thousands of new evangelistic Bible study units are begun across our nation. At the same time, that journey begins with the first class. That first class begins with you. Some churches can start vast numbers of new classes, others smaller amounts. But I believe that every church through prayer, the power of God, and the application of the principles found in these pages can start new evangelistic Bible study units. Before you begin working through these pages, pray that the Lord will open your eyes to the fields that are white to harvest and that He will reveal to you the possibilities for new Bible study units in your church and in your church field. I join you in that prayer that you may yield much fruit. With a Grateful Heart,

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 GREETING 5 TEN REASONS FOR STARTING NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL UNITS 8 REASONS NEW UNITS GROW FASTER3 THAN EXISTING UNITS 10 COMMON CHALLENGES FOR STARTING NEW UNITS 12 CHECKLIST FOR STARTING NEW UNITS 15 MODELS FOR STARTING NEW UNITS 17 CHECKLIST OF OPPORTUNITIES TO START NEW ADULT CLASSES OR DEPARTMENTS 18 CHECKLIST OF OPPORTUNITIES TO START NEW STUDENT (YOUTH) CLASSES OR DEPARTMENTS 19 CHECKLIST OF OPPORTUNITIES TO START NEW CHILDREN S CLASSES OR DEPARTMENTS 20 CHECKLIST OF OPPORTUNITIES TO START NEW PRESCHOOL CLASSES OR DEPARTMENTS 21 GROUPING BY AGE GROUPS page 3

4 24 SPACE AND EQUIPMENT 25 EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS 28 STARTING NEW ADULT UNITS 38 STARTING NEW STUDENT UNITS 41 STARTING NEW CHILDHOOD UNITS 44 NEW EXTERNAL EVANGELISTIC BIBLE STUDY UNITS PROMOTIONAL ARTICLES 48 BIRTH PAINS 50 HOW S YOUR MATH? 51 JESUS MODEL OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP 52 THE WATER BUCKET THEORY 53 ROSEMARY S STORY 54 THE MIRACLE OF THE OIL PRESENTATION All Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. page 4 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

5 Ten Reasons for Starting New Sunday School Units 1. New units help the church increase the possibilities for reaching more people. Enlarge the site of your tent, and let your tent curtains be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your ropes, and drive your pegs deep (Isa. 54:2, HCSB). God s Word encourages believers to enlarge their work, reach new people, and claim new lands for Christ. Starting new units, with its emphasis on reaching new people and enlarging the work, helps churches fulfill this assignment. 2. New units create even greater focus on people who need to be reached. Don t you say, There are still four more months, then comes the harvest? Listen [to what] I m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest (John 4:35, HCSB). A new unit can be started with a core of committed leaders, including a teacher and an outreach-evangelism leader. This core group needs to see the new class as an opportunity to be a part of an intentional effort to reach people for Christ through Bible study. 3. New units enlarge the organizational base of Sunday School, thus enabling it to grow naturally without sacrificing quality. If you do this, and God [so] directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied. Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. So Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them leaders over the people [as] officials of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens (Ex. 18:23-26, HCSB). Any structure, any organization can support only a certain amount of weight before it implodes. Churches that do not add new Sunday School units tend to become overwhelmed by the volume of ministry demands from those they have already reached. Ministry to members becomes their primary focus. Churches that start new Sunday School units are able to balance their focus on reaching new people while continuing to provide effective ministry to members. 4. New units grow more quickly than older established units Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness (2 Cor. 9:10, HCSB). History has proven that new units grow faster than older units. Normally a class will find its greatest growth during the first two years. New units grow faster because they more clearly understand why they exist who it is they are trying to reach. The leaders and participants of new classes usually give greater focus to reaching new people. page 5

6 5. New units are easier for newcomers to penetrate. Gather the people men, women, children, and foreigners living within your gates so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and be careful to follow all the words of this law (Deut. 31:12, HCSB). New people find it difficult to feel fully included in established groups because members have already formed long-term relationships. This can happen even though the group does not intend for it to happen and make every effort to express care for new members. New units provide an opportunity for new relationships and new patterns to develop that help new people feel involved and important to the group. 6. New units tend to be more evangelistic. Then Jesus came near and said to them, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt. 28:18-20). Leaders and members of new units are more likely to give greater focus to unchurched and unsaved people. They clearly know who they are trying to reach and tend to be on-mission. 7. New units engage more people in leadership. He told them: The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest (Luke 10:2, HCSB). Each new unit requires leaders who are engaged in and committed to the mission of the church through Sunday School. Thus, the leadership base grows with each new unit started. 8. New units create excitement. Rejoice, barren one, who did not give birth; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the forsaken one will be more than the children of the married woman, says the Lord. Enlarge the site of your tent, and let your tent curtains be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your ropes, and drive your pegs deep (Isa. 54:1-3, HCSB). Just as the birth of a child creates excitement, the birth of a new unit creates excitement. The existing sponsoring unit and the whole church shares in the excitement of experiencing kingdom growth. 9. New units provide potential for training others to be strong in grace and for teaching them to teach others. You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:1-2, HCSB). The pattern of growth should follow the pattern of 2 Timothy 2:1-2. Teachers should teach in such a way that members grow in their faith and become faithful witnesses to others. As noted above, new units provide opportunities for believers to begin to serve. page 6 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

7 10. New units help the church do its work. The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor, and the day of our God s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord, to glorify Him (Isa. 61:1-3, HCSB). Starting new Sunday School units is a practical way for a church to accomplish its mission by breaking it down into smaller units for implementation. Each unit exists to do the work of the church with a specific focus on reaching out to those in need. page 7

8 Reasons New Units Grow Faster Than Existing Units At least five factors influence the ability of a new unit to grow more quickly than an existing unit. These factors are freshness, relationships, leadership, ministry, and accountability FRESHNESS A new unit is not stifled by the status quo. Members of a new unit are more willing to be creative, to attempt new ways of reaching people. Existing units tend to become attached to familiar ways of doing things and become more internally focused. People are attracted to freshness; they become bored with the mundane. They want to be a part of something exciting and purposeful. Freshness is contagious. It calls forth the best from each person and the group. RELATIONSHIPS Potential members of a new unit do not have to try to break into a group made up of people with long-standing relationships. A new unit does not have enough of a group personality to make outsiders feel excluded. Because the unit is developing its identity, prospects feel comfortable in the group. A new unit gives people an immediate opportunity to express themselves. A new unit offers greater potential for intimacy. In an environment of intimacy, people are willing to share who they are and the struggles they encounter. A new unit provides an atmosphere in which people can feel that their needs are important and that the group is willing to listen to their concerns. Members of a new unit can help shape the group and make it more receptive to members needs. LEADERSHIP Members of new units more frequently have input into the selection of leaders. Members who aspire to leadership have a better opportunity to become leaders themselves. When a group is small, everyone must assume some type of responsibility for the unit to survive and grow. The feeling of being needed makes a new unit attractive to many people who otherwise may be hesitant to join a group. The environment of a small group is less threatening to people who are afraid of making a mistake in front of others. People may feel more comfortable to exercise their gifts and abilities in the context of a new, smaller unit. MINISTRY New units minister more effectively to their members. When a person is absent, everyone knows about it. In an existing class with many members, two or three weeks may pass before anyone notices that a person is absent. Ministry is easier in a new unit because page 8 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

9 members get to know one another sooner and more completely. That may help to eliminate some anxiety when it comes to making ministry contacts with members. Because ministry is so personal, it tends to be more effective. Effectiveness in ministry makes the group more attractive; hence, another reason a new unit grows more quickly. ACCOUNTABILITY Accountability in teaching, organization, ministry, outreach, and evangelism gives a new unit an opportunity to grow. A new unit places more accountability on its members than does an existing unit. Everyone must do his part to help the unit survive and grow. Each person knows that the group is depending on him. When people know they are being are counted on, they have more incentive to follow through. These are some factors that influence why new units grow faster, produce more leaders, and reach more people for Christ than existing units, but it doesn t come easy. It requires hard work on the part of every leader and member. Something takes place in the new unit that cannot be recaptured in an existing unit. The excitement, freshness, and genuine concern of members are a powerful experience. This article is adapted from Overcoming Barriers to Sunday School Growth 1987 Broadman Press. Used by permission. page 9

10 Common Challenges to Starting New Units CONCERNS AND EXCUSES Invariably there will be leaders and members who will not understand the need for new units. You will hear such comments as: Our class is so very close. We re big enough now. You couldn t possibly find another teacher like me/mine. I fear that members I send to a new class will drop out because the class isn t very good. I ll help you by making an announcement in class. Announcement: John wants us to start a new class in a few weeks. I know that you all love being here, but if you want to help the new class, I will understand. We ve tried that before and the class failed. You want to do what? That splits our class! I will lose all my key leaders. I can t believe you would do this to us! The best way to deal with concerns and excuses is to anticipate and answer them even before they are expressed. Time spent preparing to respond to these statements will increase the support for starting new units. Here are some responses to a few of these common challenges. Our Sunday School leaders don t understand why we need to start new units. A team spirit is essential when starting new units. The leadership team needs to understand both the why and the what of starting new units. This is where transparency, patience, and communication skills pay great dividends. Constantly keep the purpose of the Sunday School before your leadership and membership. Sunday School is the foundational strategy in a local church for leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and for building on-mission Christians through open Bible study groups that engage people in evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship. Show how new units help you accomplish that purpose. Emphasize that new units help a church reach people for Christ and salvation. Our leaders oppose starting new units because they want to disrupt the fellowship. This challenge is couched in the language of fellowship, but often it reflects the desire to maintain a comfort zone. Contrary to those who think otherwise, starting new units does not hurt fellowship. Actually, new units help reach new people, thereby enlarging the circle of fellowship. Our pastor or Sunday School director is afraid of the reaction from members and would rather leave well enough alone. Reaching people for Christ and church growth are rarely found at the end of the road of least resistance. However, the goal page 10 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

11 of engaging your Sunday School in reaching people for Christ is important enough to carefully and tactfully move forward even if there is resistance. Getting adults to be a part of new units is just too hard to accomplish. On a particularly hard day you may find yourself thinking this. Even so, never be deterred from doing the right thing simply because it is difficult. Finding some way to create new units is the right thing to do. Celebrate the accomplishments and emphasize the results for the kingdom. Strive to effectively start the new units you begin and help your church see the value of beginning new units. This article is adapted from pages of Ten Best Practices to Make Your Sunday School Work 2001 LifeWay Press. Used by permission. page 11

12 Checklist for Starting New Units Establish an understanding of the ultimate purpose of Sunday School and open evangelistic Bible study units. Sunday School is the foundational strategy in a local church for leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and for building on-mission Christians through open Bible study groups that engage believers in evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship. Testimonies of the leaders and members Celebration of the success of new units Statistical reports that show the difference new units have made Messages that emphasize that starting new units is about those outside the church that need to be reached for Christ The tension in creating new units is the tension between creating new classes and restructuring relationships in existing units. The only way to deal effectively with this tension is by coming to a decision about the ultimate purpose of Sunday School. The purpose of a New Testament church is to reach people for Christ. Historically Sunday School has proven to be an effective means for enabling a church to accomplish this divine mandate. The life transforming Bible study that takes place in a Sunday School class becomes the means of reaching people for Christ. Build an awareness of the value of new units. Pastoral messages from the pulpit Articles in church paper Articles on church Web site Stories of successful new units Stories of individuals reached through new units Train and educate your leaders and members in the value and process for starting new units. Train in how a proper organization can influence for growth and effective teaching. Train in the value of new units. Train in the process for starting new units. Train and equip new leaders for the new units. Study your Sunday School organization. Sunday School Planning Team studies the Sunday School organization. The results of the study are presented to the Sunday School leadership team. Identify areas where new units are needed by identifying: Classes or departments that exceed suggested enrollment ceilings Age ranges, and life transition stages page 12 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

13 (newly married, recently divorced, widowed, college students, etc.) that are not being reached effectively Areas with lots of prospects but little attendance Classes where the space is continually filled Special needs mentally handicapped, physically handicapped Homebound, shift workers Opportunities for new units in other locations homes, apartments, offices, recreational sites, residential institutions Identify a target group. Discuss the need with Sunday School leaders. Seek sponsorship. Find a class (or two classes that are willing to work together) that will sponsor a new unit. Provide leadership for it. The existing class can help a new unit start strong by visiting, enrolling, ministering, and other support. Enlist and build a leadership team for Adult units (*denotes core). Teacher* Class Administrator* Member* Member* Member Member Provide needed space, equipment, and resources to the leadership team. Determine meeting location and room. Determine equipment needed and make arrangements for the equipment. Order curriculum resources for teacher and members. Provide curriculum materials to the teacher. Set up the room and prepare for the first session. Promote the start date and location to the target group. Start date determined Location determined Promotion actions planned Promotion actions carried out Visit, invite, and enroll members. Gather names of prospects. Assign prospective members for contact. Contact prospective members. Invite prospective members to enroll. Make other contacts with prospective members using: - calls - cards - letters - s - fellowships and dinners - informal gatherings. Establish an open group mindset as the new group is established. ongoing evangelistic intentional mix of lost and saved people. Bible study new members may join at anytime. intentional focus on teaching that guides people toward conversion and assimilates them into the church sends members out into service page 13

14 Plan and Conduct the First Session Plan. Well in advance of the first session plan what is going to take place during the session. Praise. Ask some leaders and members to tell how they understand that God is working in their lives, read a psalm or other Scripture passage that will be part of the Bible study for the day and provide music or brief group singing. Prayer. Prayer time can be a vital group-building experience as well as a meaningful time of worship. Participation in Bible study. Approximately two thirds of the total session should be designed for Bible study. Enlist people for the various parts of the first session. Provide the following for the first session (and other sessions). - greeters - registration materials - name tags - member curriculum Conduct the first session. Establish an understanding that at the appropriate time and size in the future the new unit will begin a new unit. Pray. This is not on the list of things to do because it is something else to do. Praying to God should permeate everything we do as evaluate the need for new units, begin new units, and as the new units do their work. Continue to support the new unit Pray for the new unit. Lead the sponsoring group to continue to help build the class by supporting it in visitation, enrolling people, and ministry. Continue to mentor and support the leadership of the new unit. Plan with the leadership of the new unit for the next steps for the new unit and the support that is needed. Make the church aware of the progress of the new unit. page 14 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

15 Models for Starting New Units Most ways of beginning new units fall into one of the following models. Some local variations may be made depending on the specific target group, experience of the leadership team, or setting in which the Bible study group is being started. RESTRUCTURE EXISTING CLASS OR DEPARTMENT Generally, a new unit should be started when an existing Bible study group reaches an enrollment or attendance that exceeds the numbers of persons who can adequately be cultivated and assimilated and when additional prospects have been discovered. The new group may be started by creating two or more groups from an existing group. For example, a single department for fifth and sixth graders may become two separate departments, one for fifth graders and one for sixth graders. Multiplication of units also may occur by enlisting specific attenders and targeting nonattenders from one or more existing classes. A new group may be created that focuses on the new target group. For example, one department of adults may have three existing classes: coed ages 31-35, coed ages 36-42, and coed ages Assigned to the classes of this department are many men whose wives attend but the men do not. In addition, several other men in these age ranges are members of the church but are not attending a Bible study group. To address those needs, the department can be restructured to create a class for men and a class for women and to broaden the target age groups of the coed classes. Hence, the department would now consist of these classes: coed ages (because many of the women will be attending the women s class), coed ages (because several attenders agreed to be part of the men s or women s class), a class for men ages 31-49, and a class for women ages Plans may be made for a future class in the department that targets new parents who likely would come from the coed class targeting ages No matter how the class or department is restructured, use terminology that communicates the process in a positive manner. Avoid such words as divide or split. ASSIGN A LEADERSHIP TEAM TO AN UNCHURCHED TARGET GROUP Another approach to multiply leaders and units is to enlist a new leadership team to start a new class that targets a specific group of nonattenders. The leadership team will consist of a Bible study leader and an outreach-evangelism leader to identify and enroll prospects and to encourage nonattenders to participate. A third leader may be a class coordinator or apprentice who helps to arrange the facilities, obtain resources, and assist with ministry, fellowship, and worship opportunities. page 15

16 A new class or group may be started to target nonattenders in other existing classes. Additional prospects need to be identified as well if the class is to reach its full potential. The goal of any Bible study group is to have the members of that group engaged in reaching others, even to the point of being multipliers themselves. Hence, the need for continuing to discover prospects. IDENTIFY UNREACHED PERSONS AND BEGIN A NONTRADITIONAL BIBLE STUDY GROUP A target group may be identified that consist of people who cannot or likely will not attend Bible study at the church or on a Sunday morning. Such groups may include: homebound adults shift workers business men and women who travel on weekends residents of multi-housing units professionals who work on weekends, such as firemen or nurses people in life transition stages (new parents, recently divorced, college students) A Bible study group may be created that meets at a nontraditional time and place in order to reach a particular target group. Examples of such target groups may include, but are not limited to, the list given above. A leadership team needs to be enlisted to be responsible for teaching, reaching, and ministry to members of the target group. Locations for this Bible study group may be a: home or apartment business office recreation site residential institution where members receive care, live, or work This article is adapted from pages of Ten Best Practices to Make Your Sunday School Work, 2001 LifeWay Press. Used by permission. page 16 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

17 Checklist of Opportunities to Start New Adult Classes or Departments Consider the following to determine if your class should start a new unit. Check all that apply. The class has too wide an age span (10 or more years). There is more than 25 people enrolled in the class. Meeting space is filled with members, regardless of number enrolled. Needs are not being met consistently. Prospects have been found, but there is no class to which they can be assigned naturally. The number of adults in our age group suddenly has grown. New church members aren t being enrolled in our class. We have more prospects for our class than we have members. More members are absent than are attending. Our members feel the class doesn t need to grow because they don t know everyone who is attending now. Active members can miss more than two weeks in a row and not be missed. People drift in and out of the class and no one in the class notices. Taken from Essentials for Excellence: Connecting Adult Sunday School to Life (CD- ROM) in Essentials for Excellence: Connecting Sunday School to Life 2003 LifeWay Press Used by Permission. page 17

18 Checklist of Opportunities to Start a New Student (Youth) Class or Department Consider the following to determine if your class should start a new unit. Check all that apply. All the youth (grades 7 through 12) are in one class or department. More than 12 youth are enrolled in a class. More than 60 youth are enrolled in one department. School grade that has prospects but poor attendance or no attendance. School grade with more prospects than youth enrolled. Taken from Essentials for Excellence: Connecting Student Sunday School to Life (CD- ROM) in Essentials for Excellence: Connecting Sunday School to Life 2003 LifeWay Press Used by Permission. page 18 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

19 Checklist of Opportunities to Start a New Children s Class or Department Consider the following to determine if your class should start a new unit. Check all that apply. Grades 1 through 6 are in one class or department. Grade 1 in class or department with another grade. Grade 6 in a class or department with another grade. Class or department with more than 24 enrolled. Class or department with less than 60 percent of the enrollment attending. School grade with prospects but poor attendance or no attendance. Taken from Essentials for Excellence: Connecting Children s Sunday School to Life (CD-ROM) in Essentials for Excellence: Connecting Sunday School to Life 2003 LifeWay Press Used by Permission. page 19

20 Checklist of Opportunities to Start a New Preschool Class or Department Consider the following to determine if your class should start a new unit. Check all that apply. Birth through age 5 are in one class or department. Babies in the same department with other ages. Kindergartners in the same department with other ages. Class or department with younger preschoolers with 12 or more enrolled. Class or department of threes, fours, and pre-kindergarten with more than 16 enrolled. Class or department of kindergartners with more than 16 enrolled School grade with prospects but poor attendance or no attendance. Taken from Essentials for Excellence: Connecting Preschool Sunday School to Life (CD-ROM) in Essentials for Excellence: Connecting Sunday School to Life 2003 LifeWay Press Used by Permission. page 20 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

21 Grouping by Age Groups The guidelines that follow are offered as help for grouping people in ways that facilitate transformational Bible study for each age group. At no time is the organizational structure an end unto itself. It exists to enhance the work of the group. PRESCHOOL The preschool organization is for children birth until the first grade. The age and development of the child provide the priority base for grading preschoolers. The suggested maximum enrollment for a preschool department is 12 younger preschoolers (babies twos), 16 middle preschoolers (threes pre-kindergarten [pre-k]), and 20 older preschoolers (kindergartners). Every preschool class or department needs a minimum of two leaders. The recommended leader:learner ratio for babies is 1:2, and for other younger preschoolers is 1:3. For middle preschoolers, the ratio is 1:4, and for kindergartners, the ratio is 1:5. A new department needs to be organized when the existing department approaches the maximum recommended size or when the room has reached its capacity. The basic leadership structure includes a department director or lead teacher and one or more other leaders. GROUPING PRESCHOOLERS Age Maximum Leader: Enrollment Learner Ratio Babies 12 1:2 Ones Twos 12 1:3 Threes Pre-K 16 1:4 Kindergarten 20 1:5 CHILDREN The priority basis for organizing children ages 6-11 years is school grades. The recommended maximum enrollment in a children s department is 24, excluding leaders. The leader:learner ratio for all children s departments is 1:6. Every children s class or department needs a minimum of two leaders. A new department needs to be organized when the existing department approaches the maximum recommended size or when the room has reached its capacity. The basic leadership structure includes a department director and one or more other leaders. GROUPING CHILDREN Grade Maximum Leader:Learner Enrollment Ratio Grades :6 Grades :6 Grades :6 page 21

22 STUDENTS (YOUTH) The organization for students in Sunday School is generally based on school grades In addition to school grades, age (12-17 years) and gender also may be used to determine youth groupings. The maximum recommended enrollment for teenagers is 60 for a youth department and 12 for a youth class. One adult leader is needed for every 12 students enrolled. Every class needs a minimum of two adult leaders. A new class needs to be organized when the existing class approaches the maximum recommended size or when the room has reached its capacity. The basic leadership structure includes a teacher, an outreachevangelism leader, and 1 or more other leaders. GROUPING STUDENTS (YOUTH) Grade Maximum Leader:Learner Enrollment Ratio Grades class/60 dept 1:12 Grades class/60 dept 1:12 YOUNG ADULTS Young adults, ages years, make up one of the most diverse and unreached segments of the North American continent. These six years are some of the most volatile in a person s life. These are years in which young adults typically leave the home of parents and establish their own households, determine whether to continue to pursue a formal education, decide whether to marry, choose whether and when to begin a family, and make many other major life decisions. Too often in the past, one of those decisions is permanent disengagement from God s people. This group needs special attention and focused efforts to lead them to faith in Christ and to build them into on-mission Christians. Organizational patterns must be flexible, but generally follow those of other adult groups. The basic leadership structure includes a teacher, a ministry coordinator, and an apprentice. GROUPING YOUNG ADULTS Age Maximum Leader: Enrollment Leader Ratio Age /class; 1:25 125/dept (1:4 all leaders) Collegians 25/class; 1:25 125/dept (1:4 leaders) Young 25/class; 1:25 Singles 125/dept (1:4 leaders) Young 25/class; 1:25 Marrieds 125/dept (1:4 leaders) ADULTS The basis for grouping adults is more complex because the age range is so broad and adults are so diverse. Such factors as the adult s age, generational segmentation, gender, and marital status may be considered when grouping adults. Common agegroup patterns for adults are years; years; years; and 75 and older. Regardless of the basis for grouping, the suggested enrollment ceiling for adults is 125 for an adult department and 25 for an adult class. The teacher needs to be organized when the existing department approaches the maximum recommended size or when the room has reached its capacity. The basic leadership structure includes a teacher, a ministry coordinator, and an apprentice. Actually the ideal environment for starting new units is when the class AND the teacher believe that multiplying units and leaders is part of their vision; a class of any size with that kind of vision can and will begin new units. page 22 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

23 GROUPING ADULTS Age Maximum Leader: Enrollment Leader Ratio Age /class; 1:25 125/dept (1:4 all leaders) /class; 1:25 125/dept (1:4 leaders) /class; 1:25 125/dept (1:4 leaders) 75-up 25/class; 1:25 125/dept (1:4 leaders) Article taken from pages of Ten Best Practices to Make Your Sunday School Work, LifeWay Press Used by permission. PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Within every age group will be some people with special learning needs that require extra attention when designing the Sunday School organization. Some people may be grouped in a special education unit; others may be mainstreamed into existing departments and classes. The key factor is how their needs may best be met. Consider these examples: People with hearing impairments may require a special grouping, but they also may be grouped with their peers if they are proficient at lip reading or signing. People with visual impairments can be grouped with their peers, but the teacher and others need to be sensitive to their visual limitations. Other specific teaching units may need to be provided for the homebound; persons who are living away from their church temporarily, such as college students, military personnel, those on job assignments; or gifted persons. People who speak a language other than that which is dominant in the church may require a group taught in their language. The key is providing that which is essential to meeting the needs of every person so that no one is excluded. page 23

24 Note: It is difficult to sustain attendance beyond 80 percent of the room s capacity in classrooms where members attend by choice. For example, 10 babies may be placed in an area with a capacity of 10, but adults generally will not attend a class that is regularly more than 80 percent filled. Space and Equipment Room Specification Suggestions A church needs to provide the best possible space for small-group Bible study. Here are some suggestions related to determining space needs. Analyze all available space. Determine the total square footage of space available that could be used by Sunday School classes and departments. Determine the square footage needed by all the Sunday School departments and classes in all age groups. Based on community changes and age-group shifts, determine whether more space is needed or whether reallocation of space is an option. Determine whether multiple use of space is a possibility. Determine whether any additional space is available for church use (either by the purchase or lease of portable buildings or other nearby buildings). Evaluate whether a new building is a priority. Follow church policies in acquiring any new building space. MEETING SPACE SPECIFICATIONS CHART Age Group Space Per Maximum Room Leader: Person Enrollment Size Learner Ratio Preschool Babies 35 sq. ft sq. ft. 1:2 Ones Twos 35 sq. ft sq. ft. 1:3 Threes Pre-K 35 sq. ft sq. ft. 1:4 Kindergarten 35 sq. ft sq. ft. 1:5 Children Grades sq. ft sq. ft. 1:6 Youth Gr (class) sq. ft sq. ft. 1:12 Gr (dept.) 8-10 sq. ft sq. ft. 1:12 Young Adults yrs. Department 10 sq. ft. Class 12 sq. ft sq. ft. 1:4 Dual Use sq. ft sq. ft. 1:4 Adult 25 yrs.-up Department 10 sq. ft. Class 12 sq. ft sq. ft. 1:4 Dual Use sq. ft sq. ft. 1:4 Chart adapted from page 204 of Ten Best Practices to Make Your Sunday School Work, LifeWay Press Used by permission. page 24 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

25 Equipment and Furnishings Equipment is another factor that affects the climate or setting for Bible study. The type of equipment and furnishings needed will differ according to the age group being taught. Few churches are able to provide everything. Provide what you are able at the time. One annual goal may be to make improvements in providing equipment and furnishings for classrooms. Recommended Equipment for Children, Youth, Young Adult, and Adult Departments Equipment Children Youth Adults Chairs (age appropriate) x 1 x 2 x 2 Coat rack x x x Resources cabinet x x Tables x 3 x 5 o Shelves x 6 x x Book racks x 7 x o Tackboard or bulletin boards x 8 x x Wastebasket x x x Podium/table for teacher o o o Sink o Autoharp x Cassette player x x x TV/VCR combination o o o CD player o x o Piano o o o Chalk/marker board(s) x x 4 x 4 Tear sheets x x x Felt-tip markers x x x Other art/writing supplies x x x Picture rails x 9 Symbols: x - recommended; o - optional Chart adapted from page 207 of Ten Best Practices to Make Your Sunday School Work, LifeWay Press Used by permission. 1 Recommended chair sizes for children: Grades 1 & 2: inches Grades 3 & 4: inches Grades 5 & 6: inches 2 Standard chairs 18 inches above the floor. 3 Tabletops for children should be 10 inches above chair seats x-45 inches min. for hanging boards, freestanding and movable of comparable size or larger are preferred. 5 Folding chairs for youth should be no more than 28 inches high inches deep, inches high, and 3-4 feet long, with shelves inches apart. 7 Bookracks should be inches high and inches long. 8 Tackboards should be inches in height and 6-10 feet in length, with the bottom edge inches above the floor. 9 Picture rails should be about 30 inches above the floor on the front wall and 12 feet long. page 25

26 Recommended Equipment for Preschool B K All B-2 3-K B-5 General Rest mats or towels x x o x o Cribs (hospital 27 x42 ) x o x x Adult rocking chair (2) x x x Solid surface floor mat (42 x 42 ) x Wall cabinet (50 above floor) x x x x x x x x x Trash receptacles with lid x x x x x x x x x Diaper bag cubbies or hooks x x x Vinyl changing pad x x Open shelf/closed back for toys (26 x36 x12 ) o o o Child safety gate o Water source for disinfecting x x x x x Slow cookers x x x Folding screen for nursing area x x x Rocking boat with enclosed steps o Small counter top refrigerator o Homeliving/Dramatic Play Horizontal unbreakable mirror 24 x 48 attached to wall x x o Vertical unbreakable mirror 24 x 48 attached to wall x x x x o o Wooden doll bed (16 x 28 x 8 ) o x x x x x x x Child size rocker o x x x x x x Table (24 x36 x22 ) x x Table (24 x36 x24 ) x x x x 2-4 chairs (10 ) x 2-4 chairs (12-14 ) x x x x x Wooden sink x x x x x x Wooden stove x x x x x x Chest of drawers o Child size ironing board and iron* o Music Cassette tape/cd player x x x x x x o o o Autoharp* x Rhythm instruments x Symbols: x - recommended; o - optional; all - specialized equipment purchased in limited quantity for use by all ages page 26 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

27 B K All B-2 3-K B-5 Blocks Cardboard or vinyl blocks x x x Wooden unit blocks (various shapes/sizes) x x x x x Open shelf/closed back (26 x36 x12 ) o x x x x x Art Table (30 x48 x22 ) x x x x Table (30 x48 x24 ) x x Equipment 2-4 chairs (10 ) x x 2-4 chairs (12-14 ) x x o o Art Easel/ adjustable legs * x x x x o o Drying rack x x x x x x Water source at child s height for clean up x x x x x x Art shelf (36 x46 x16 ) x Nature/Science Open shelf with closed back (26 x30 x12 ) x x x o o Water/table (1 per church) o Table (24 x36 x24 ) o 2-4 chairs (12-14 ) o Manipulatives/Puzzles Puzzle rack o o o o o Table (24 x36 x24 ) o 2-4 chairs (12-14 ) o Chart adapted from page of Ten Best Practices to Make Your Sunday School Work, LifeWay Press Used by permission. Symbols: x - recommended; o - optional; all - specialized equipment purchased in limited quantity for use by all ages Maximum number of two tables per room in 2-4 year old rooms. *One option for art easels would be to have one easel per every three rooms. page 27

28 Starting New Adult Units CONSIDERATIONS WHEN STARTING NEW ADULT CLASSES Recently I had the privilege of going back to a former church that I served as minister of education. It was a blessing to see what God was continuing to do. It was a joy to hear how God had blessed one particular teacher. Greg, a very godly man, deacon, and a strong student of the Bible felt that God was leading him to start a new class. The only problem was that Greg s previous teaching experience was not a positive experience. The class struggled and eventually disbanded. After a lot of counsel and prayer with Greg he felt it was time to pursue starting a new class. Greg had been attending a rather large class in which the teacher was a very gifted communicator. We talked to the teacher and he helped us begin promoting the new class. Because everyone knew how Greg s last class had struggled, there was some hesitancy from people to move. Eventually we were able to get a small core group that was willing to go help Greg start a new class. The class struggled for several months averaging only about eight. I would touch base with Greg and he would tell me how slow things were and how he was struggling as to whether he had made a poor decision. I would remind him that God had been at work in his decision. I would offer some ideas on what he needed to do to keep focused on the work. In addition to faithfully preparing his lesson each week, Greg began to participate in the Sunday School/FAITH strategy and to organize his class leadership. It had been about 20 months after the class started that I had returned for the visit. I heard some great news. Greg s class had grown incredibly strong. The church had conducted a high-contact Sunday and Greg had over 40 in attendance! They are now consistently running well over 30! One would say that Greg was successful. As the matter of fact, his church will herald him as being successful, as they should. But, his success is not complete. Complete success will only be evident when Greg s class makes a commitment to start a new class. 1 THE ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER IS VITAL TO NEW CLASS STARTS! Conditioning Your Class Creating an Environment for New Class Starts to Begin As a leader of an adult Sunday School class, you need to create an environment in which a new class start is a goal to be attained in order to measure the success of the class. Most classes aren t prepared to begin a new class immediately. Below is a list of ways for creating such an environment: 1. Recognize the need and importance of starting new classes. A new class will most likely never begin if you don t believe that it is vital. 2. Share your vision with the class. Share the vision once. Share it again, and page 28 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

29 again. Let it become a part of the group s vision for the class. Look for teachable moments during Bible study, during fellowships, and other times the class is together. Include it as a part of the Scripture study when appropriate. 3. Create a positive mindset among your members. Don t let a class start become something that is viewed as a penalty. Rather lead the class to view it as a reward for faithful service.. Don t use terms like split, bust up, divide, or separate. Don t blame the staff. Practicing saying, We are going to start a new class. 4. Develop a healthy class. Develop a group of leaders who will help you lead the class to function in the area of ministry to one another and evangelism of the lost. If a class isn t healthy it will be difficult to reproduce a healthy, new class. The Adult Sunday School Organization Guide provides a list of functions and leaders that can enable a class to remain healthy. Begin by personally modeling ministry and evangelism priorities to the class. Stay in touch with members. Let them know you are praying for them. Send them birthday and absentee cards. Visit them. Make sure every guest is contacted. Bring class members with you to visit members and prospects. Enlist at least one other leader. Begin with at least one other leader one whom you can mentor and lead to help develop other class leaders. One who can help you lead the class to function as a healthy class. This person will be a vital link to success. View them as your partner and even a potential future teacher of a new class. Expand the numbers of leaders. As the class begins to function properly it will grow. An apprentice teacher should be enlisted that you can begin to train and introduce to the class as a potential future teacher. This person may be the original leader you enlisted. If so, enlist someone else to help with the organization of the class. Expand the number of leaders. As the class continues to grow make sure that Care Groups are organized to keep relationships strong within the class. Continue to lead the group to be involved in evangelism by enlisting someone who is gifted in leading the class in this specific area. Expand the number of leaders again if needed. Your class may begin a new class before you add additional leaders. But, there can be a leadership role for everyone in the class. Consider enlisting someone to coordinate fellowships, prayer ministry, and missions involvement. 5. Watch for attitudes that indicate the class is ready. Focus on the attitude before you focus on the other indicators for a need for a new class. Does your class pray for a new class to begin? Do they respond with excitement or a negative spirit when the subject is discussed? Do they pray for other new classes that have begun? Are some of your class members going to help start new classes in other age groups? Are class members moving to teach in other age groups such as preschool, children, or youth? Theses are signs that the class environment is healthy for starting new adult classes. 6. When the class is ready, set a possible date for a new class to begin. Talk with the church leadership about the possibility of starting a new class and set a possible date. Share the date with your class page 29

30 leaders. Share the date with the class. Spend time praying about the new class. INDICATORS THAT A NEW ADULT CLASS SHOULD BEGIN Other than attitudinal changes, other issues should be examined. Review the following list to determine if your class is ready to start a new class: 1. The class has too wide an age span (10 or more years). 2. Class size is prohibiting growth in ministry, evangelism, and multiplication. The ideal class is 12 attending and about 24 enrolled. Relationships are kept strong and healthy in a class this size. But if your class is in a growth mode and is moving beyond 12 in attendance the class needs to begin moving toward starting a new class. By the time a class has 15 in attendance, the apprentice should be teaching biweekly or at least once a month. By the time a class reaches 20 in attendance, the class should enlist a core group to begin a new class immediately. 3. Meeting space is full regardless of number enrolled. 4. Provide square feet per person. A class is full when attendance reaches 80 percent capacity. If a classroom is 80 percent full, it is time to start a new class. Conditioning the class to start a new class should already be taking place. The apprentice should already be teaching regularly in order to prepare him or her for beginning a new class. 5. Needs are not being met consistently. 6. Prospects have been found, but the existing class does not meet their needs because of age or circumstance. 7. The number of adults in an age group has suddenly grown. 8. New church members aren t currently being enrolled in a class. 9. There are more prospects in a class than members. 10. There are more absentees than members attending. 11. The class feels that they don t need to grow because they already don t know everyone who is attending. 12. Active members can miss more than two weeks in a row and not be missed. 13. People drift in and out of the class and no one in the class notices it. A PROCESS FOR STARTING A NEW ADULT CLASS Work with the pastor, minister of education, Sunday School director, or department director throughout the process: 1. Allow the apprentice to teach more frequently. 2. Determine if the apprentice will begin the new class or if the established teacher will move to the new class. 3. Seek support from within the class and from other classes. 4. It might be necessary to partner with another class to begin the new class or to enlist a core group. 5. Enlist and build a core group of 6-8 leaders. 6. The core group of the new class should have several meetings to plan their work prior to the start date. Plan your work carefully and well in advance. Leaders need three full months for promotion and enlistment efforts before the new class starts meeting. 7. Determine the target group. 8. Work with the church leadership to establish a membership roll and prospect roll. Determine where additional members and prospects will come from. If there are classes that are not contacting their inactive members consider moving some of them onto the membership roll. The spon- page 30 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

31 soring class can share their inactive members and prospects with them. Consider groups of people that aren t currently being reached by a class worship attendees, people groups in the community, and so forth. 9. Determine location of the new class: classroom, off-campus, or another location. Don t let space or location prohibit growth. Be creative! 10. Determine the curriculum resources that will be used and order them. 11. Invite and enroll members. 12. Begin visiting and contacting members and prospects about one to three months prior to the start date. If the core group enlists two couples or four individuals to attend, the group will already have a great start on the first Sunday. 13. Promote the start date and location to the target group. 14. Write personal notes, make phone calls, and make personal visits. Use the theme in the Bible study curriculum as a point of promotion. 15. Consider promoting the new class as a celebration of a new birth. Provide a baby shower for the new class in which items such as Bibles, leader guides, learner guides, marker boards, markers, coffee pot, and other items are given. Announce the birth of the class during worship. Dress the one making the announcers in surgical scrubs. Present the sponsoring class a birth certificate. Celebrate! 16. Conduct the first session. Include a time for fellowship, for praise, prayer, and for Bible teaching. 17. Evaluate, make adjustments, and provide on-going reports to the sponsoring class(s). 18. Pray for God s leadership continually. WE DON T HAVE AN ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS. WE ARE STARTING FROM SCRATCH The previous lists can help you develop a plan of action. When developing the plan consider the following as well: 1. Enlist a teacher and train the teacher. 2. Enlist a core group to work with the teacher. 3. Determine where the new group will meet. 4. Determine who the target group will be. 5. Choose resources that will meet the need of the target group. 6. Set a start date. 7. Develop a plan of promotion. 8. Begin the new class and evaluate. 2 POINTERS ON BIRTHING A NEW ADULT CLASS 1. The teacher must create a positive mindset. Lead the class to think that a new class is a great opportunity. Don t use terms like split, bust up, divide, or separate. Don t blame the staff! Practice saying, We are going to start a new class. 2. Communicate your desire to start a new class with the church leadership. This may include a Sunday School director, a department director, the pastor, and/or the minister of education. 3. Keep the vision alive. The class needs to see the new start as the ultimate in success. Many times growth in numbers is the ultimate measurement of success. Lead them to see that creating a new class is the ultimate vision. Keep the goal before the class during prayer time, class meetings, and class sessions. 4. Enlist an apprentice teacher each year. Notice I did not say substitute. Be intentional about who is enlisted. Enlist someone who can help you move a class to start a new class. Probably one of the page 31

32 major causes for a new class to fail is placing unprepared teachers in the class. The new class deserves teachers who have been properly enlisted and trained. The best place for this to take place is in the class that is starting the new class. The teacher should mentor the apprentice. Give the apprentice opportunities to teach and help him or her to learn how to organize and shepherd the class. Take the apprentice to training events and leadership meetings. When it is time to start the new class, work with the church staff to determine whether it would be best for the apprentice to move to the new class or you to move. 5. Enlist a core group of four to six persons to help start the new class. The core group needs to be some of the strongest leaders in the established class. It might mean some of the established class leaders would move. Many times adult teachers are more than willing to let a new class begin, but they will not give up any of their core leaders or active members. This almost assures a new class of failure. 6. Set a start date for the new class. As the apprentice is trained and the class is growing, prayerfully consider the timing for starting a new class. 7. Be sure to communicate with the pastor, the minister of education, or the Sunday School director about the class s desire to start a new class. This will make their day! Work with Sunday School leaders and church staff to determine the best time to start the new class. Ask them to find some space the new class can use. 8. Begin working with the core group about the plans for the new class. Help them determine the best way to enlist others to become involved in the group. Determine where they will find prospects. Set some dates for visitation and promotion of the new class. 9. Work with church leaders to establish a membership roll and a prospect roll. Determine sources for additional members and prospects. If some classes are not contacting their inactive members, consider moving some of them onto the membership roll of the new class and begin contacting them. The sponsoring class can share their inactive members and prospects with the new class. 10. Begin to visit and contact members and prospects about one to three months prior to the new start. Set up special visitation times in which the sponsoring class will help. Make sure those who are visited know when and where the new class is meeting. Possibly plan some fellowship time around these events. This helps relieve some of the stress that will be caused by the transition. 11. Birth the class! Conduct the first session. Celebrate and affirm. Use the doctor announcement as was described at the beginning of this section. This CD-ROM has a New Starts Birth Certificate that can be printed, framed, and presented to the class that helped birth the new unit. During the first session include a time for fellowship, praise, prayer, and Bible study. Evaluate and provide reports to the sponsoring class. The apprentice and teacher should touch base periodically to see how things are going. 12. Regular reports should be given to the sponsoring class about what God is doing. 13. Above all else, pray before, during, and after the entire process. page 32 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

33 CONDITIONING AN ADULT CLASS TO BEGIN NEW UNITS Enlist an apprentice and begin training him or her as a teacher. Set a growth limit for the class. Consider the room size. Provide square feet per person. Remember, a class is full. When attendance reaches 80 percent capacity. If a classroom is 80 percent full, it is time to start a new unit. The teacher should have been conditioning the class in advance, and the apprentice should already be teaching to prepare him or her for the new class. - Consider the number of members attending. By the time a class has 15 in attendance, the apprentice should be teaching weekly or at least once a month. By the time a class reaches 20 in attendance, the class should enlist a core group to begin a new class immediately. - Consider the number of members enrolled. A rule of thumb is to limit enrollment to 40. Continually invite members to pray about starting a new class. Even if your class is small and the possibility seems remote, don t limit the growth potential. Keep members focused on seeking God and looking for results beyond attendance. Keep them focused on prayer. Remind leaders in every leadership meeting of the need to create a new unit. Pray for new classes that have already begun. Partner with another class and commit together to condition the class to the idea of starting a new unit. Teach the class to measure success in a different way. CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A NEW ADULT UNIT Recognize the need for new units. Discuss the need with the church staff and the department leadership. Create a positive mindset among your learners. Enlist an apprentice you can start mentoring for teaching the new class. Identify the target group and a start date. As you move closer to the start date allow your apprentice to teach more frequently. Seek support from within the class and from other classes. Support should include prayer and leadership support. It is best if a new unit begins with a core group of key leaders who will help establish the class. Enlist and build the core group of leaders. The core group of the new unit should have several meetings to plan their work prior to the start date. Plan your work carefully and well in advance. Leaders need three full months for promotion and enlistment efforts before the new unit starts meeting. Promote the start date and location to the target group. Write personal notes, make phone calls, and make personal visits. Invite and enroll members. Consider contacting a group of prospects several weeks in advance of the new class. If the core group enlist two couples or four individuals to attend, the group will already have a great start on the first Sunday. Conduct the first session. Include a time for fellowship, for praise, prayer, and for Bible teaching. Pray for God s leadership continually. CONSIDER THIS Evaluate how you are laying the groundwork for new Bible study groups using these three criteria: 1. I teach to meet the needs of the learners. Learners whose spiritual needs are being met through life-changing bible study will eventually demonstrate leadership skills that can be used for some area of ministry. 2. I coach people into leadership positions within my class and throughout our church. Each teacher needs an apprentice and other class leaders need apprentices as well. 3. I lead my class to create as many new classes as possible. Members often will not leave a class unless their teacher encourages them to leave. page 33

34 BEGIN THE CONDITIONING PROCESS It takes time to lead a class to give birth to a new class. It takes time to develop leaders who will help. Consider setting a goal to start a new unit every two years. Consider the following ways as you seek to condition your class to birth a new class. 1. Enlist an apprentice and begin training him or her as a teacher. 2. Set a growth limit for the class. This may vary based on the size of a room or number enrolled versus those attending. 3. Consider the room size. Provide square feet per person. Remember; a class is full when attendance reaches 80 percent capacity. If a classroom is 80 percent full it is time to start a new unit. The teacher should have been conditioning the class in advance and the apprentice should already be teaching to prepare him or her for the new class. 4. Consider members enrolled and attending. A rule of thumb is to limit enrollment to 40. By the time a class reaches 15 in attendance the apprentice should be teaching more often and the class should be gearing up to begin a new unit. By the time attendance reaches 20 everything is in place for a new class to begin. 5. Continually invite members to pray about starting a new class. Even if your class is small and the possibility seems remote, don t limit the growth potential. Keep members focused on seeking God and looking for results beyond attendance. Keep them focused on prayer. 6. Remind leaders in class leadership meetings of the need to create a new unit. 7. Pray for new classes that have already begun. 8. Partner with another class and commit together to condition the class to the idea of starting a new unit. 9. Teach the class that creating a new unit is another measure of success for a healthy Sunday School class. 10. Defining success another way. Consider Greg s class. His class was new and struggled for a while. Suddenly Greg s class was averaging 18! That sounds like success, but not yet. When the class sends out leaders to teach in other age groups and begins a new class, then success can be claimed. Often we define success by how large a class is or how fast class attendance has grown. Although these are wonderful points to celebrate it is important to recognize another success point birthing a new class. 3 STAYING IN CONTACT WITH LEADERS SENT OUT TO SERVE We do have a leadership crisis in churches. The adult Sunday School class can play a key role in turning the crisis into an opportunity. We must help and, once we begin sending leaders out, we can t forget those who have left to serve elsewhere they are our missionaries. 1. When people leave to serve, consider taking their picture and placing on a missionary bulletin board so they can be prayed for. 2. Be sure to place people who are in service on a care group list. 3. Invite members-in-service to fellowships and special class events. 4. Encourage individuals in the class to partner with them and to help out in their class when needed. Who knows, God may use this to develop another leader. IS YOUR CLASS READY TO START A NEW UNIT/CLASS? Consider the following to determine if your class should start a new unit. Check all that apply. page 34 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

35 The class has too wide an age span (10 or more years). There is more than 25 people enrolled in the class. Meeting space is filled with members, regardless of number enrolled. Needs are not being met consistently. Prospects have been found, but there is no class to which they can be assigned naturally. The number of adults in our age group suddenly has grown. New church members aren t being enrolled in our class. We have more prospects for our class than we have members. More members are absent than are attending. Our members feel the class doesn t need to grow because they don t know everyone who is attending now. Active members can miss more than two weeks in a row and not be missed. People drift in and out of the class and no one in the class notices. 1 Beyond the Walls: Multiply Your Adult Ministry, p LifeWay Press. Used by permission. 2 Starting New Units: Resources for Sunday School Leaders Available from Internet: 3 Essentials for Excellence: Connecting Adult Sunday School to Life, pp LifeWay Press. Used by permission. SUGGESTED RESOURCES FOR STARTING NEW ADULT EVANGELISTIC BIBLE STUDY GROUPS On the next two pages are a variety of options for starting new adult evangelistic Bible study groups. All resources referenced are available in the current LifeWay Church Resources catalog. The recommended resources for starting new units are varied based on the situation and the age-group. It is best to use dated open group curriculum. In some situations a special interest or niche study is used to begin a new unit. In that case, a clear ongoing curriculum strategy should be recommended that would include transitioning to an on-going dated open group curriculum. page 35

36 EXAMPLES OF RESOURCES THAT CAN BE USED Situation New class from core group of established class. (It is best to consider using the curriculum that the core group is already familiar with). Suggested Resources All Family Bible Study resources Explore the Bible MasterWork Life Connections resources New church start first Sunday School group Life Connections: Essential Truth, Knowing Christ Personally Life Connections: Critical Decisions: Surviving in Today s World Life Connections: Vital Pursuits: Developing My Spiritual Life Transition to on-going dated curriculum such as MasterWork, Family Bible Study, or Explore the Bible Paper Class (no core just a teacher and a list of names). Life Connections Essential Truth, Knowing Christ Personally Life Connections Critical Decisions: Surviving in Today s World Life Connections Vital Pursuits: Developing My Spiritual Life Transition to on-going dated curriculum such as MasterWork, Family Bible Study, or Explore the Bible Off campus Bible study (home or cell group) Life Connections Essential Truth, Knowing Christ Personally Life Connections Critical Decisions: Surviving in Today s World Life Connections Vital Pursuits: Developing My Spiritual Life Transition to MasterWork for on-going study New class targeting specific adult needs. Life Connections resources To assure success plan to transition to ongoing dated curriculum such as Family Bible Study, Explore the Bible, or Master- Work) page 36 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

37 EXAMPLES OF RESOURCES THAT CAN BE USED New median adult Bible study Family Bible Study: Life Truths MasterWork New senior adult Bible study Family Bible Study: Life Ventures MasterWork Explore the Bible New class for parents of preschoolers, children, or youth Family Bible Study: Life Truths New single adult Bible study Christian Single Plus MasterWork Life Connections resources New Bible study for adults with special needs Family Bible Study: Access New work place Bible studies MasterWork Life Connections resources New Bible study focused on KJV Family Bible Study KJV Multi-housing missions Life Connections Essential Truth, Knowing Christ Personally Life Connections Critical Decisions: Surviving in Today s World Life Connections Vital Pursuits: Developing My Spiritual Life Serendipity House resources Transition to on-going dated curriculum such as MasterWork, Family Bible Study, or Explore the Bible Abbreviated Sunday School class (example: class for choir members). Life Connections resources Family Bible Study QuickSource Leader Guide page 37

38 Starting New Student Units SUGGESTIONS FOR STARTING NEW STUDENT UNITS Fact: New classes grow faster than older, established ones. So, how do you start a new class? Intentionally plan for and create a climate for growth by doing these things: 1. Model an attitude or frame of mind that desires to glorify the King by being available to be used as an instrument to win others for His kingdom. a. Three names. Encourage workers to ask their students about friends they do not want to be in heaven without. Workers pray for them consistently for three months. After three months, workers then ask students to ask their friend how to pray for them. Do this for three months. After this time, the worker asks to meet the student they have been praying for. Then they walk the class member through watching to see when time may come for the worker and the class member to present the plan of salvation to the friend. b. Empty chair. Always make sure there is at least one empty chair in the class. Make sure students know it represents the student who is not a member of the class and someone the class is praying for. If all the chairs are full, then it is time to create a new class! c. Annual life cycle. Make sure all workers and students understand the life cycle of an effective class. Classes should follow four steps in an annual life cycle and move from (1) birth; (2) bonding; (3) a time of growth; to (4) reproduction. Workers should teach students to look forward to God working in such a way that a new class is needed to accommodate ministry to their lost friends. Give students ownership of their class in such a way that they feel the freedom to volunteer to be a part of a new class so that more room can be made for ministry by the worker to their potential class members. Guide students to understand the balance of needing strong dependable students in both the original and the new class. Be sure to help workers and students see that perhaps the most effective new class may not even be within the church walls during the traditional Sunday School time frame. When and if your church decides to begin new student classes off-site, make sure you agree on and carry out a time and action steps to bridge students from the independent class to the larger context of the church body. 2. Enlist apprentice leaders/workers a. Make enlistment of apprentice leaders a high priority in your overall work with students. The apprentice commits to spend six-months or a year walking alongside one of your most solid leaders (that may even be you). During that time, he or she plans with and watches the veteran, slowly adapts to teaching one step of the page 38 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

39 plan, and eventually steps in as substitute leader of the class periodically. It will be easier to recruit a new worker if you remove the high commitment involved in being the teacher or leader of a class for an entire year! As leaders in student ministry, we receive many negative responses to our enlistment to teach a student class because church members may not have a true vision or knowledge of what really happens in an effective class. Potential student workers somehow only hear the war stories of the 7th grade guys class! As you take the time to multiply yourself themselves into the students in your care. b. Plan for strategic leadership training for new leaders. If your church does not offer leadership training, then be the first to plan, budget, and carry out specific training for your Bible study leaders. The LifeWay resource, How-To Curriculum Guide for Students, has a teaching plan in the back of the book. It will help workers understand how to use the curriculum provided by the church for maximum benefit. The book Essentials for Excellence, will help workers understand philosophy of how classes are organized, what is expected from a leader as far as ministry and outreach, and why we teach students they way we do. It too has a teaching plan that coincides with information in the book. Both resources can be ordered from LifeWay. c. Take the time to build a desperate partnership with the leaders of the median and young adult classes in your church. Share with them your strategy of growth. Help them catch sight of the vision that they can be instrumental in winning and growing students by intentionally discipling those who attend their Sunday School classes to become future workers. Vernon Wiggins, a young adult Sunday School teacher at Florida Boulevard Church, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been feeding workers back into his church for many years. His plan of action and discipleship sounds something like this on the Sunday that a new member joins his class: We are so glad that you have chosen to join our group! I love you and you are so welcome here... for at least two years. After that, if I have done my job according to God s Word, then you will be out in service to the church helping others grow in their walk! This will help set up an ongoing network for feeding workers into all age groups within the church. 3. Bible study. Intentionally lead the entire student group collectively in a Bible study that helps them discover God s uppermost purpose for the church/kingdom and for His children. Leaders could use the six Scriptures found in the teaching procedures for Creating New Student Units (found on this CD) as the content for the Bible study. Students are more likely to honor and act on evangelism efforts when they have discovered for themselves that God s main purpose for them and their group is to win others into the kingdom. page 39

40 RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR STARTING NEW STUDENT UNITS LifeWay Church Resources Family Bible Series Younger Youth Older Youth All Youth Collegiate LifeTrak Bible Studies Younger Youth Older Youth *Vital Truth Series Serendipity God Talk Series: *Fuzzy Brains Serendipity Student Bible: *Lessons found within content of Bible Youth Identity Series: *Up Close *Belonging *Hassles *Choices *Pressures *Hot Issues *Beginnings Hang Time Series: *Family Funk *Suggestions for off-site or external new units (those started outside of the ongoing Sunday School or Bible study structure of the church). page 40 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

41 Starting New Childhood Units POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN STARTING NEW CHILDREN S UNITS Why should we start new children s units? Do you have multiple grades together in one room? In your square footage to child ration less than 25 square feet per child? Are you in a rapidly growing situation? Do you have more than 24 children on a roll? Are parents concerned about the number of children in one room? Are teachers having trouble teaching children about God because the room is too full of children? Space Optimal teaching takes place when each child is given 25 square feet to explore Bible learning activities. When this square footage is maximized, a new children s unit should be started. In a rapidly growing situation, a church should project when the space will be maximized and make plans to start new children s units by the time the current space is maximized. Children s rooms with standard walls and doors are preferred, not open spaces with portable cubicle-type walls. It is better for adult and student groups than children to meet in lobbies, gymnasium, and fellowship hall type situations. New Children s Areas If a children s unit is going into a new area that has not previously been used for children, several issues need to be addressed before it is utilized: Is this an area that can be easily secured and is not a thoroughfare? Are bathroom facilities close by? What is the condition of the flooring? Does the carpet need cleaning or replacing? Does the tile need to be resurfaced or replaced? Is the tile asbestos-based (if so, it needs to be replaced before children use)? Do walls need to be repainted? Is paint chipping? Is the current paint leadbased (if so, it needs to be dealt with)? Are there holes in the wall that need to be patched? In general, is the room aesthetically pleasing? Will parents feel comfortable leaving their children in this room? Is this room the best it can be for God s children? Curriculum The best curriculum is the one that teaches Bible truths for a particular age group. For the best impact, use curriculum such as LifeWay s narrowly-graded Children s Family Bible Study because of its narrow age grouping. Form new units around the suggested age groups for a curriculum. page 41

42 POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN STARTING NEW PRESCHOOL UNITS Why should we start new preschool units? Do you have multiple age groups together in one room? Is your square footage to child ratio less than 35 square feet per child? Are you in a rapidly growing situation? Do you have more than 12 enrolled on a babies through two roll, more than 16 on a threes through pre-kindergarten roll, or more than 20 on a kindergarten roll? Are parents concerned about the number of preschoolers in one room? Are teachers having trouble teaching preschoolers about God because the room is too full of preschoolers? Space Optimal teaching takes place when each preschooler is given 35 square feet to explore Bible learning activities. When this square footage is maximized, a new preschool unit should be started. In a rapidly growing situation, a church should project when the space will be maximized and make plans to start new preschool units by the time the current space is maximized. Preschool rooms should be rooms with standard walls and doors, not open spaces with portable cubicletype walls. It is better for adult and student groups than preschoolers to meet in lobbies, gymnasium, and fellowship hall type situations. New Preschool Areas If a preschool unit is going into a new area that has not previously been used for preschool, several issues need to be addressed before it is utilized. Is this an area that can be easily secured and is not a thoroughfare? Are bathroom facilities close by? What is the condition of the flooring? Does the carpet need cleaning or replacing? Does the tile need to be resurfaced or replaced? Is the tile asbestos-based (if so, it needs to be replaced before preschoolers crawl on it)? Do walls need to be repainted? Is paint chipping? Is the current paint lead-based (if so, it needs to be dealt with)? Are the electrical outlets covered? Are there holes in the wall that need to be patched? In general, is the room aesthetically pleasing? Will parents feel comfortable leaving their preschoolers in this room? Is this room the best it can be for God s preschoolers? Curriculum The best curriculum is the one that teaches Bible truths for a particular age group. For the best impact, use curriculum such as LifeWay s Preschool Family Bible Study, which is narrowly agegraded. Form new units around the suggested age groups for a curriculum. TEN TIPS FOR CREATING NEW CHILDHOOD UNITS 1. Pray for the formation of the new unit. 2. Form a team to work together to form the new unit. page 42 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

43 3. Discover the most pressing children s needs that can readily met. 4. Decide what the new unit will be and where it will be (don t limit yourself to the church campus.) 5. Determine a start date and plan backward. 6. Enlist teachers and leaders. Some you ask may only be involved with helping form the new unit or helping recruit for the new unit. SUGGESTED CHILDHOOD RESOURCES FOR CREATING NEW UNITS In Childhood Ministry Publishing, all units are considered open groups. Therefore, all curriculum is written to be used with Christian and non-christian children. Also the curriculum is written in a way that it can be used in just about any setting. Preschool (Babies Kindergarten) All Settings Family Bible Study for those needing narrowly age-graded materials. Bible Foundations for those needing broadly age-graded materials. E-Anytime Anywhere TeamKID some churches are finding success using TeamKID during the traditional Sunday School hour. 7. Train the leaders and teachers. 8. Publicize the new unit newsletters, flyers, newspaper, visits, and calls to prospects. 9. Have an outreach event to launch the new unit. 10. Every three months evaluate the new unit. Is it growing? Do we need more teachers? Do we need to start another new unit? REMEMBER RATIOS Age Square Feet Leader: Group Per Child Learner Ratio Babies -twos 35 1:3 Threes Pre-K 35 1:4 Kindergarten 35 1:5 Grades :6 Children (1st-6th graders) All Settings Family Bible Study broadly or narrowly graded according to needs. Everything You Need to Know to be a Teenager for 5th and 6th graders. FUNdamentals studies should move toward a dated curriculum. TeamKID some churches are finding success using TeamKID during the traditional Sunday School hour. Primarily Church/Facilities Settings G-Force Good for Home Bible Studies Family Bible Study Broadly graded FUNdamentals studies Down the Street and Around the World TeamKID page 43

44 New External Evangelistic Bible Study Units STARTING NEW EXTERNAL EVANGELISTIC BIBLE STUDY UNITS The process outlined below focuses on reaching lost people with the gospel through Bible study groups meeting in homes, workplaces, prisons, or multihousing settings. If churches or individuals are to reach the world, they must intentionally move into their communities to befriend and win the lost. Bible study groups stand poised to do that. 7. Publicize the Bible study to the surrounding area. 8. Visit and call people in the surrounding area. 9. Begin the Bible study groups. 10. Hold leadership meetings with your team to renew their vision, problem solve, and develop skills. BIBLE STUDY GROUPS DEFINED Bible study groups are ongoing small group Bible studies for both the unreached/unchurched and the reached/churched. Groups can focus on reaching the unsaved, building relationships, and promoting spiritual growth among Christians. Bible study groups include up to 12 participants. 11. Lead the group to evangelize, disciple, develop relationships, and minister. THE BIBLE STUDY GROUP LEADERSHIP TEAM Discover and enlist leaders exuding warmth and compassion who have spiritual gifts including hospitality, helps, and mercy. ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES 1. Determine your purpose for starting the Bible study group. 2. Discover and enlist a leadership team. 3. Determine a location at which to meet. 4. Train the leadership team. 5. Set a target date to start the group. 6. Lead the team to enlist as attenders nonbelievers they already know. 1. Bible Study Leader This person sets the pace for the individual Bible study group and leads the leadership team. Other responsibilities include teaching, pastoral care, and leadership development of the group leadership team. A Bible study leader needs a genuine love for people. 2. Assistant Bible Study Group Leader or Apprentice This team member is responsible for assisting the Bible study leader in all his/her duties. All characteristics desired page 44 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

45 for Bible study leaders should be found in this person. This person is training with a view toward becoming a Bible study leader. The leader should allow the assistant leader to experience all aspects of the role of the teacher: teaching, pastoral care, and administrative duties. When the group is ready to multiply, this person becomes the Bible study leader and repeats the process with a new assistant. 3. Host/Hostess (optional) If a group does not meet in a home, then a host/hostess will not be necessary. Hospitality in these cases will be assigned to the assistant leader. If the group meets in a home, the host/hostess will arrange the room; and if refreshments are desire, the host/hostess will provide them. 4. Childcare Leaders (optional) The group may choose to have one or more people with the ongoing responsibility of teaching the children. If so, this person should only have responsibilities for the children. Regardless of whether or not this leadership position(s) is needed, the question of childcare must be dealt with if the group expects to reach young and median adults. PROVIDING FOR CHILDREN The topic external Bible study always leads to the question: What will we do with the children? Even businesses today realize that if they are to attract new young families, the issue of childcare must be addressed. No single answer to this issue will meet the needs of every group. There are several ways to deal with this challenge to external Bible studies. If at all possible provide age-grouped teaching and care at the Bible study group location. Classes for children attending groups with parents cannot always be divided into age groups like a church s Sunday School. However, a group could consider a separate study for preschoolers and one for children. A suggested resource for these groups for children 3 to 12 is Down the Street and Around the World Bible Club Set 2 from LifeWay. Each pack is built around a freestanding flip chart with colorful teaching pictures, reproducible teaching plans, and administrative helps. After you have completed these materials, the next suggested ongoing resource is the TeamKid resources from LifeWay. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CHILD CARE FOR CONSIDERATION Whatever is done must be done well. Childcare should be age-appropriate. If at all possible, two adult or youth workers need to be present for safety, protection, and security. The safety of the children is imperative. Proactively meet the childcare needs. CHOOSE THE CORRECT STUDY MATERIALS FOR ADULTS Life Connections, produced by LifeWay and Serendipity House, are designed for external Bible study groups. Each of these studies is 13 weeks long and includes resources for both the leader and the student. Begin your external evangelistic Bible study group with these three resources in this order. Essential Truth: Knowing Christ Personally. I am a new follower of Christ. I need to know what God expects of me. I need to know who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are, how I relate to each of page 45

46 them, and why my relationship with them is so important. I need to know how to live like Christ and how the Bible makes that possible. I need to know how to beat temptation when it comes my way. These revealing studies get right to the heart of the Christian life, how to know Christ in a life-changing way! Critical Decisions: Surviving in Today's World. Every day we are faced with making critical decisions that can have a positive or negative affect in our lives. We need God s wisdom as we navigate through life s ups and downs. His wisdom is found in His Word. This study will reveal the principles that can help you answer life s most difficult questions. Vital Pursuits: Developing My Spiritual Life. I am a believer but I am not satisfied with where I am. I want to take my spiritual life to the next level. What practices are necessary for me if I am going to become a mature Christian? Find out by investigating the crucial truths found in God s Word. WHEN DO I BEGIN A NEW GROUP? Plant the seed within the onset of a group that it will multiply itself in order to reach more unsaved, unchurched people. Locating and developing an assistant leader or apprentice is the most important element for multiplication. To ensure multiplication, these persons should be in place at the birth of each new group if at all possible. Enlisting an apprentice later in the process may be the only option when a group is entirely composed of unchurched people. In this case, the leader must shoulder the leadership responsibilities until someone in the group become a believer and demonstrates the potential for being an effective leader. If multiplication is ignored, the threat of stagnation exists. When multiplication is not timely, the group loses its focus on reaching new people. Groups that bring new members in without sending members out to form new groups find themselves having fellowship, but their potential for reaching new people is diminished. The primary motivation for group multiplication is the reality that we live in a fallen world. So many people in our world need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. The best way we can affect our world with the gospel is to constantly discover better ways to reach lost people. Bible study groups targeting lost adults are a very effective method of evangelism. Remember that groups need to remain small, 6-12 in number, so relationships can be developed and opportunities found to share the gospel of Christ. HOW TO MULTIPLY A GROUP WITHOUT LOSING A GROUP 1. Create a covenant from the beginning. One of the best ways to ensure that a group will multiply itself is to create a group covenant from the beginning. A covenant keeps the groups open and helps fight the temptation to turn inward. Among the believers in the group, an unspoken covenant purpose of an evangelistic Bible study group is to develop relationships sufficiently to earn the privilege and opportunity to share the gospel. 2. Develop an assistant leader or apprentice for each group. The development of assistant leaders or apprentices is the key factor in multiplying groups. Unless you have a leader-inwaiting, it will be difficult to multiply groups beyond the initial start of the Bible study group ministry. Orientation for page 46 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

47 potential leaders is a must, but nothing can match the insights gained from being engage in the ongoing leadership process and actually being on the firing line. Leaders should assign responsibilities in keeping with the spiritual maturity of the apprentice. This is especially applicable when dealing with an apprentice who is a new believer. Assignments can include such things as leading a session with the leader present, making contacts before the next meeting, or even doing pastoral care for the group. The ministry relationships developed by the apprentice make multiplication much easier. One last thing concerning apprentices. The leader and the apprentice should look for rising future apprentices for the group. For multiplication, not only does the leader have to locate a new apprentice, but the existing apprentice will need an apprentice in the new group as well. Lack of this third generation of leadership often stifles new group multiplication. 3. Choose the correct birthing procedure. Groups multiply in three basic ways: a. The leader leaves to form the new group. The leader enlists a second apprentice and a second host/hostess for a new group and leaves the establish group with his/her first apprentice and first host/hostess. The first apprentice (now the leader of the established group) discovers, enlists, and develops a new apprentice to repeat the cycle. This is the most successful model. b. The apprentice leaves to form the new group. The former apprentice discovers a new apprentice and a new host/hostess and launches the new group. This leaves the original leader with another new apprentice and the process of development begins again. c. A leader is brought in from outside the group. In this case, the leader recognizes the need for multiplication, but the apprentice or no one else in the group is ready to take a group. The new leader is brought in and matched with a new apprentice and host/hostess from the group and the new group is formed. All three procedures assume the group is large enough to multiply. It does not mean the group must be divided in half. In a coed situation, three couples are enough to form a new group. Positively set the stage for members to leave the comfort of the establish group by talking of the individualized care a new, smaller group will provide. Appeal to the sense of mission of members of the group. Leaders must value multiplication for it to be successful. page 47

48 PROMOTIONAL ARTICLE Birth Pains Birthing a class indicates a new level of spiritual and leadership maturity. Watching other class leaders function and sending members to serve somewhere else can be a great blessing and an exciting process. Greg, a very godly deacon, was a former teacher who wanted to teach again. He felt god leading him to start a new class. The only problem was that Greg s previous teaching experience was not a good experience. The class struggled and eventually disbanded. After counseling and praying with Greg I felt that Greg did need to pursue starting a new class. He had been attending a rather large class in which the teacher was a very gifted communicator. We talked to his teacher, who helped us begin promoting the new class. Eventually we started with a small core group who were willing to help Greg start the class. We identified specific prospects and inactive members from Greg s current class and assigned them to the new class. The class struggled for several months, averaging about eight attenders. I touched base with Greg often. He would tell me how slowly the class was growing and how he questioned whether he had made a poor decision. I would remind him that God had called him; then I would offer ideas for him to do to keep focused on the work. In addition to preparing his lesson faithfully each week, Greg began to participate in the FAITH Sunday School Evangelism Strategy and began to organize his class. Greg was struggling to build the class while I served in that church. I returned for a visit a number of months after leaving the church and heard some great news. Greg s class had grown incredibly strong. The church had conducted a High Contact Sunday, and more than 40 people attended that day! They now are consistently averaging over 30! Some would say that Greg was successful. In fact, his church would herald him as a success. But he has not reached the end of the path to success. The trip along this path will be complete when Greg s members make a commitment to start another new class. A Sunday School trainer once used the idea of birthing a baby to describe the joy of starting a new class. One lady interrupted his passionate appeal to start new units saying, If you knew how painful childbirth was, you wouldn t use that analogy! The trainer thought for a moment about her comment. He pondered how painful asking people in an existing class to start a new unit might be. Yes, childbirth is painful, but it s worth the price once you see the beautiful new life God has given. The same is true for birthing new classes. The process may be painful, but it s worth the price when you see how God has blessed. Sometimes we can lose sight of kingdom work. That often leads to countless excuses and rationalizations for not starting new units. Frankly, Adult Sunday School leaders want to check the FBI s 10 Most Wanted list for church staff or Sun- page 48 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

49 day School leaders who are perceived as trying to split up my class. Adult Sunday School leaders truthfully are the point people for starting new units. Yes, the act of starting new units falls into the hands of the Sunday School director, pastor, or minister of education. And yes, they do need to set the tone for starting new classes throughout the church. But they can t create new units without you leading the way in your class. If they do, the pain is likely to be much greater than that of childbirth! Think about it. What staff member would complain if you said, Our class is ready to start a new unit; when should we start? I ve been there; it s exciting when leaders say this! Birthing a class indicates a new level of spiritual and leadership maturity. Watching other class leaders function and sending members to serve somewhere else can be a great blessing and an exciting process. But, if you really want to get excited, consider the joy that can come when you look back and can see how many classes you ve had a part in building. Watching other class leaders function and sending members to serve somewhere else can be a great blessing and an exciting process. This article is adapted from pages of Beyond the Walls, Multiply Your Adult Ministry 2002 LifeWay Press. Used by permission. (Nashville: LifeWay Press, 2002) page 49

50 PROMOTIONAL ARTICLE How s Your Math? CONSIDER THIS Evaluate how you are laying the groundwork for new Bible study groups using these three criteria: 1. I teach to meet the needs of the learners. Learners whose spiritual needs are being met through life-changing bible study will eventually demonstrate leadership skills that can be used for some area of ministry. 2. I coach people into leadership positions within my class and throughout our church. Each teacher needs an apprentice and other class leaders need apprentices as well. 3. I lead my class to create as many new classes as possible. Members often will not leave a class unless their teacher encourages them to leave. Trace the heritage of your class. Make a list of classes that you personally helped begin. Make another list of people who have left your class to serve elsewhere. On a third list identify classes your class had a part in birthing. You do the math. Imagine that your class averages about 12 people on Sunday, has an enrollment of 24 members and 24 prospects. You presently have a secretary, outreach-evangelism leader, and four ministry leaders. Let s say that your class stays together for 10 years and grows to an average attendance of 30 with 60 enrolled, and 60 prospects, and you have a secretary, outreach-evangelism leader, and 10 ministry leaders. Today this might be perceived as a very successful class. But imagine that your class commits to start one new unit every two years during that 10-year period. You must train a teacher for each new class. That s five new classes started directly from your class in 10 years. If each new teacher trained another new teacher and started a new class every two years, that would mean that your class would have helped start as many as 16 new units in 10 years! Let s say that each class averages 12 people, has 24 members and 24 prospects at the end of 10 years, and each class has a teacher, an apprentice (teacher in training), a secretary, outreach-evangelism leader, and three ministry leaders. The numbers are staggering. There would be more than 350 attending in 16 classes. There would be 744 members, 744 prospects, and 217 leaders from one class that made a commitment to growing by multiplying. Even if you were only 50 percent successful, what could God do through one class whose leaders and members were willing to make this commitment? Imagine the results if all adults classes in our 40,000-plus Southern Baptist churches made the same commitment! What an impact on kingdom work! I pray you will take the challenge and ask God to give you this kind of vision. This is adapted from pages of Beyond the Walls, Multiply Your Adult Ministry 2002 LifeWay Press. Used by permission. (Nashville: LifeWay Press, 2003). page 50 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.

51 PROMOTIONAL ARTICLE Jesus Model of Christian Leadership MATTHEW 9:35 10:42 Jesus modeled ministry (9:35; 10:1). Jesus commissioned His disciples to do what He had continually done in their presence. Jesus shared His passion and vision (9:36-37). You cannot lead people and remain personally detached from them or the direction you want them to go. Jesus taught them to pray to the Lord of the harvest (9:38). Jesus instructed His disciples (10:5). People will not do what they are not equipped to do. Jesus empowered His disciples and sent them out (10:1). You cannot multiply your ministry unless you are willing to give others authority and permission to do ministry. Jesus provided the resources necessary to accomplish the task (10:16-23). Anyone laboring for church growth needs both physical and spiritual resources. Jesus observed, affirmed, and corrected His disciples. While we must give people the opportunity to try their own ministry wings, we cannot leave them on their own. They need and deserve both private correction and public affirmation. This article is adapted from pages of The Antioch Effect 1994 Broadman Press. Used by permission. Ken Hemphill (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1994), page 51

52 PROMOTIONAL ARTICLE The Water Bucket Theory Unless the Sunday School organization is expanded, the hard work of outreach and teaching improvement will not result in reaching and keeping members. Have you ever used a water hose to fill a bucket? An interesting thing about the bucket is that once it is full of water, no matter how much more water you continue to add, it cannot hold any more water. The only way to put more water in a bucket is to provide another bucket. Sunday School organization is like the water bucket. No matter how long one attempts to assimilate people into a saturated Sunday School organization, the efforts will prove futile until leaders expand the organization (add more buckets). Unless the Sunday School organization is expanded, the hard work of outreach and teaching improvement will not result in reaching and keeping members. The organization of the Sunday School must continually be expanding if the Sunday School is to continue growing. Only by creating new units on a continuous basis can growth continue to occur. This article is adapted from page 130 of Overcoming Barriers to Sunday School Growth 1987 Broadman Press. Used by permission. Wayne Jones (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1987), 130. page 52 How to Start New Bible Study Units and Churches, CD-ROM 2004 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention Published in the United States of America.