Adult Sunday School Playbook table of contents Church Vision... 2-3 Sunday School Leadership Introduction... 4-5 Sunday School Mission... 6-7 The Vision of the Church is the Mission of the Sunday School Sunday School Strategy Sunday School Leadership Philosophy... 8-10 Sunday School Basic Structure Chart Heart of a Leader Sunday School Leadership Expectations...11 Sunday School Job Descriptions...12-33 Director Teacher Class Administrator Member Outreach Leader Care Group Leader Evangelism Outreach Leader Discipleship Leader Fellowship Leader Prayer Leader Missions Leader Class Secretary Assimilation Funnel and Contact System Chart...34 Definitions of Assimilation Terms...35 Assimilation Process Chart...36 All verses used in this playbook may be found in the New American Standard Bible.
Church vision The Mission, Ministry Focus, Values, and Culture of First Baptist Church Jacksonville. -------------------------------- Our Mission: Glorify God and make Him known to everyone everywhere Our Ministry Focus: Make disciples of Jesus Christ who love God and people Our Core Values: Worship God Value People Steward Faithfully Lead by Example 2
mission Glorify God and make Him known to everyone everywhere Ministry Focus Make disciples of Jesus Christ who love God and people culture Love, Joy, Peace, Gentleness, Goodness, Self-control, Patience Kindness, Faithfulness Values Worship God Value People Steward Faithfully Lead by Example
Sunday School Leadership Introduction And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18 20 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:14 15 Every church must decide how it will pursue Christ s command in the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:18 20, Jesus Christ told us what we are to do when He said make disciples. Being a disciple and making disciples of Jesus Christ who love God and love people is best accomplished through Sunday School. This is where people become a community committed to following Christ, learning His Word, and practicing His loving and caring ways. Showing our love to others is God s way for us to attract people to Him. 4
For the church to fulfill its disciple-making mission, it must be the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). The church is the family unit in God s Kingdom and Sunday School is where we develop relationships in God s family. At First Baptist Church Jacksonville, Sunday School is a working unit and not a destination. It is where we learn how to live every other minute of the week and is intended to reorient us to, and refocus us on, our mission. Our desire for Sunday School is to connect members who will disciple others along the path to maturity in Christ. This is God s plan to grow us so He can use us to glorify Him and make Him known to everyone everywhere. 5
SUNDAY SCHOOL MISSION: THE VISION OF THE CHURCH IS THE MISSION OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL sunday school is not just a weekly program: it is a STRATEGY. So if Sunday School exists to flesh out the great commission, then what is a Sunday School class and what are we supposed to do?
Sunday School is an organization of open, on-going Bible study groups intentionally practicing open enrollment and balancing biblical content and biblical community with a commitment toward making disciples. 1. Open Group: Expects new people each week 2. Open Enrollment: Belong before they believe 3. A Balanced Group: Content Community 4. A Disciple-Making Group: Discipleship is our intentional investment in others to see them follow Christ, grow toward maturity in Him, and become a disciple-making believer. The measurement of growth is change in a Christian s life. Disciple-making happens through a relationship of instructing, encouraging, and equipping one another to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. The 4 functions of Sunday School: 1 Reach people for Christ and church membership 2 Teach people God s Word 3 Organize people to Care 4 Mobilize people to Serve 7
Sunday School Leadership Philosophy And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11 12 Moses father-in-law said to him, The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Exodus 18:17 18 If a team is going to function smoothly, it is good for the leaders to understand the responsibilities involved in working with one another. The line of leadership runs top-down through the organization. Hence, each leader is accountable to the person above him in the organization and accountable for the person below him. In Sunday School Leadership, every Sunday School leader is a disciple-maker. While Sunday School leaders have unique gifts, abilities, and specific areas of responsibility that work together to fulfill the overall mission of the church, Sunday School leaders understand that they are, first and foremost, disciple-makers. Like Jethro told Moses in Exodus 18, no one person can accomplish the job alone. The beautiful simplicity of Sunday School is that it organizes, equips, and engages the entire church in the work of making disciples who love God and love people. 8
basic structure Pastor Executive Pastor of Education Adult Education Staff Director Teacher Class Administrator Prayer Leader Missions Leader ---------------- Fellowship Leader Discipleship Leader Evangelism Outreach Leader Member Outreach Leader Class Secretary Care Group Leader 9
The Heart of a Leader As a result of a changed heart, my commitment to the Gospel, and believing that the privilege of guiding people in the Christian way of life is worthy of my best, I commit myself to be a leader in the Sunday School of First Baptist Church Jacksonville. My love for God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit prompts me to lay down my life for the proclamation of the Gospel, which is the call and command to go make disciples. I will seek to love others better than myself. I welcome spiritual guidance from other believers as they may see sin in my life or unholy conduct that does not represent the very character and nature of God and Jesus Christ. I will strive to live by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit in all that I say and do. As a follower of Jesus Christ I will commit to walking behind Him, conforming to His image, and pursuing His purpose. 10
Sunday School Leadership EXPECTATIONS Demonstrates continuing spiritual growth in personal relationship with Christ (Colossians 1:9 12) Communicates the message of Jesus with both words and behaviors (Mark 10:45) Shares the Gospel (Romans 1:16) Tithes to the local body of believers, my church (Malachi 3:10) Discovers and meets the needs of others, including class members and prospects (Galatians 6:2) Prays regularly for the church, the pastor, the staff, and ministries of the church (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Communicates and leads by example through participation in worship services, special events, and activities of the church and Sunday School (Hebrews 10:24 25) Encourages and demonstrates regular and punctual attendance in class and at class fellowships and leadership/training meetings (1 Peter 5:2 3) Works to build inviting classes where life-transforming Bible study takes place and class members and guests feel welcome (1 Peter 4:9 10) Brings all speakers, teachers, missionaries, and outside vendors or entertainers to Director for approval by the Adult Education Staff (1 John 4:1) Continues personal development in leadership skills and responsibilities (2 Timothy 2:15) Models application of biblical principles in leadership behaviors (1 Timothy 6:18) Prepares to carryout all leadership responsibilities on a weekly basis (Ephesians 4:11 12) 11
Director REACH teach care serve Scripture Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1-3 Responsible for: Overseeing the organization and function of a department of classes in cooperation with Adult Education Staff Accountable to: Adult Education Staff 12
Responsibilities: Serves as liaison between Adult Education Staff and Sunday School Leadership director Oversees organization, leadership selection and development, and activity planning and implementation for each class with Teacher and Class Administrator Observes each class regularly and evaluates class function and effectiveness in accomplishing missions and goals of Sunday School Responsibilities: Serves as an encourager and mentor to those in leadership positions within each class Prays consistently for the leaders in each class Coordinates and leads all department meetings Identifies class members for approval by Adult Education Staff to serve in class or church leadership and helps develop potential leaders Identifies and trains potential Director 13
Teacher REACH teach care serve Scripture The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 Responsible for: The spiritual growth and discipleship development of the Sunday School class through teaching the Word and providing practical application using working knowledge of teaching and learning principles Accountable to: Director & Adult Education Staff 14
Responsibilities: Prepares lessons using curriculum provided by the church with the intent of encouraging heart change Incorporates the Gospel into each lesson teacher Provides guidance, encouragement, and acceptance in an atmosphere of love Develops disciples by cultivating an atmosphere for growth in spiritual maturity Leads class members to identify their spiritual gifts and live out their biblical calling Responsibilities: Prays consistently for class leaders, members, and prospects Coordinates with Class Administrator and Member Outreach Leader to plan and lead class meetings Assists Adult Education Staff in the promotion process, working with Class Administrator and Member Outreach Leader Identifies class members to Director for approval by Adult Education Staff to serve in class or church leadership and helps develop potential leaders Meets with Adult Education Staff to plan and evaluate the class at appointed times throughout the year Participates in on-going teacher training provided by Adult Education Staff Identifies and trains potential Teacher 15
Class Administrator REACH teach care serve Scripture Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 Responsible for: The overall work of the Sunday School class, in coordination with Teacher and Director, and connects the Sunday School class with activities and special emphases promoted by church leadership and Director Accountable to: Teacher 16
Responsibilities: Plans, coordinates, and oversees all class functions by working in conjunction with and assisting class leadership with their responsibilities Coordinates prayer opportunities with Prayer Leader Coordinates class fellowships with Fellowship Leader Coordinates Care Groups with Member Outreach Leader and Care Group Leaders and ensures follow up with new members in cooperation with Member Outreach Leader Coordinates mission and service projects with Missions Leader Coordinates evangelism opportunities and Assimilation Process with Evangelism Outreach Leader Coordinates discipleship opportunities with Discipleship Leader Coordinates record keeping with Class Secretary Responsibilities: Ensures clear, frequent, and multiple means of communication within the class of all class and church functions, activities, and special events Leads the class to set and achieve goals that will grow each member spiritually Leads class members to serve in areas of giftedness and passion within the church Prays consistently for class leaders, members, and prospects Coordinates and leads class meetings with Teacher and Member Outreach Leader Assists Adult Education Staff in the promotion process, working with Teacher and Member Outreach Leader Provides class members with identifying name tags Identifies class members to Teacher for approval by Adult Education Staff to serve in class or church leadership and helps develop potential leaders Identifies and trains potential Class Administrator Class Administrator 17
Member Outreach Leader REACH teach care serve Scripture Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14-18 Responsible for: Coordinating Care Groups and Care Group Leaders, supporting and cultivating them, and connecting them to Teacher and Sunday School class plans Accountable to: Teacher & Class Administrator 18
Responsibilities: Ensures every class member is assigned to a Care Group Oversees and assigns follow up of new Sunday School class members, new church members, and those awaiting baptism within the class and oversees their assimilation into the Sunday School class Develops Care Group Leaders by ministry, training, and communication as determined by Adult Education Staff Organizes and leads Care Group Leader training opportunities within the class Meets and/or visits each Care Group Leader one-on-one at least once annually Responsibilities: Participates in, supports, and assists Care Group Leaders in connecting the class members to church initiatives, including special events and special emphases Ensures on-going awareness of ministry needs within the Sunday School class and communicates ministry needs to leadership and to Care Group Leaders Prays consistently for class leaders, members, and prospects Coordinates class meetings with Teacher and Class Administrator Assists Adult Education Staff in the promotion process, working with Class Administrator and Teacher Identifies class members to Class Administrator and Teacher for approval by Adult Education Staff to serve in class or church leadership and helps develop potential leaders Identifies and trains potential Member Outreach Leader member outreach leader 19
Care Group Leader REACH teach care serve Scripture So that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ s body, and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 Responsible for: Ministering to and caring for assigned Care Group, as the Care Group is the basic unit of the Sunday School class and the principle means of accomplishing the overall CARE ministry of the class Accountable to: Member Outreach Leader 20
Responsibilities: Coordinates with Member Outreach Leader on Care Group assignments in a manner manageable by size and location for the Care Group Leader Leads the Care Group by cultivating a warm, welcoming, comfortable, and nurturing relationship for each group member Communicates with Care Group members to encourage participation in Sunday School class weekly lessons, Sunday School activities, personal quiet time and overall spiritual growth, church services and special events, and leadership training when appropriate Responsibilities: Recognizes special days and events in each group member s life through a card, hand-written note, electronic contact, phone call, or visit Communicates one-on-one discipleship opportunities to Care Group members in coordination with Discipleship Leader Prays for Care Group members and encourages prayer for each other within the group Prays consistently for class leaders, members, and prospects Coordinates contacting absentees weekly and making hospital and ministry visits within the Care Group Contacts each group member on a regular basis, providing for their ministry needs, and meets/visits each Care Group member face-to-face at least once quarterly Identifies and trains potential Care Group Leader care group leader 21
Evangelism Outreach Leader reach teach care serve Scripture Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 Responsible for: Ensuring that REACHING is accomplished by coordinating and leading the evangelistic efforts of the class including class outreach, first time and repeat guest follow-up, and development of personal evangelism methods Accountable to: Teacher & Class Administrator 22
Responsibilities: Leads the Sunday School class in sharing and celebrating evangelism experiences weekly Leads the class in implementing the Assimilation Process of the church (see Assimilation Chart): Organizes and maintains a prospect list for the Sunday School class Assures all first-time guests of special events, worship, and Sunday School are contacted Assures all first-time guests of special events, worship, and Sunday School Responsibilities: are engaged in a face-to-face evangelistic conversation within two weeks of first visit Provides and communicates within the class the Assimilation Process of follow-up with all prospects and new members Communicates outcome of evangelistic and/or guest follow-up with Adult Education Staff according to Assimilation Process Prays consistently for class leaders, members, and prospects Organizes and leads evangelism training opportunities within the class Identifies and trains potential Evangelism Outreach Leader Evangelism Outreach Leader 23
Discipleship Leader REACH teach care serve Scripture And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 Responsible for: Working with Teacher and Member Outreach Leader to ensure TEACHING is accomplished by coordinating and leading efforts of one-on-one discipleship of the class members, including the assignment and accountability of new believers Accountable to: Teacher & Class Administrator 24
Responsibilities: Manages class disciple-making efforts by keeping record of individuals in disciplemaking relationships and communicating those efforts, as well as new relationships formed, in the manner provided by Adult Education Staff Communicates one-on-one discipleship opportunities to Care Group Leaders Responsibilities: through Member Outreach Leader so class members are aware of discipleship opportunities Provides on-going communication with Class Administrator regarding class members in need of a partner for disciple-making purposes Introduces and encourages the use of church-approved curriculum for disciplemakers to use in one-on-one discipling relationships Organizes and leads discipleship training opportunities within the class Prays consistently for class leaders, members, and prospects Identifies and trains potential Discipleship Leader discipleship leader 25
Fellowship Leader REACH teach care serve Scripture Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:9-10 Responsible for: Planning, coordinating, and conducting class fellowship events and assisting in department fellowship activities for the purpose of evangelizing the lost, involving the inactive, and enriching the lives of the active members Accountable to: Teacher & Class Administrator 26
Responsibilities: Plans class fellowship activities in cooperation with Class Administrator, provides promotional materials, and communicates information to class members and prospects Coordinates class activities with the church calendar to avoid conflicts and assures that class activities are compatible with the church s ministry, mission, and core values Responsibilities: Communicates fellowship opportunities to Care Group Leaders through Member Outreach Leader so class members are aware of class fellowship activities Prays consistently for class leaders, members, and prospects Coordinates a fellowship time with refreshments on Sunday morning on a weekly or monthly basis Promotes church-wide activities and events Identifies and trains potential Fellowship Leader prayer leader 27
Prayer Leader REACH teach care serve Scripture Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:13-16 Responsible for: Leading class members to pray during the week for specific needs of members and prospects and express thankfulness to God for answered prayer and praises Accountable to: Teacher & Class Administrator 28
Responsibilities: Organizes, maintains, and distributes a class prayer list, while being mindful of the privacy of others Encourages the class to pray daily for the church, pastor, staff, department leaders, class leaders, class members, prospects, and the lost Responsibilities: Prays consistently for class leaders, members, and prospects Organizes a class network of prayer support through Care Group Leaders, informing class members of prayer needs by developing a system in coordination with Class Administrator to assure each class member can be prayed for and reached (such as prayer calendar, contact list, prayer request sheet, phone tree) Organizes and leads prayer training opportunities within the class Identifies and trains potential Prayer Leader prayer leader 29
Missions Leader REACH teach care serve Scripture Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Responsible for: Connecting the class with the Missions Ministry by bringing awareness of and keeping momentum going for local, national, and international mission partnerships selected by the Sunday School class, as well as communicating ministry service, results, feedback, and/or testimonies to the Sunday School class Accountable to: Teacher & Class Administrator 30
Responsibilities: Leads the class in participation in projects approved by Missions Ministry through praying for, giving to, and serving in a local, national, and/or international mission partnership Plans specific missions goals for the class in coordination with Class Administrator and Teacher, including at least two mission ministry projects per year Responsibilities: Identifies class mission projects to Missions Staff for approval after discussion with Class Administrator and Director Maintains personal awareness of mission projects by attending Missions Ministry meetings and staying aware of Missions Ministry activities by visiting the Missions Ministry page on the church website Missions Leader Supports church-wide missions opportunities (such as Operation Christmas Child, Lottie Moon, and Annie Armstrong missions offerings, etc.) by encouraging participation Prays consistently for class leaders, members, and prospects Identifies and trains potential Missions Leader 31
Class Secretary REACH teach care serve Scripture Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24 Responsible for: Compiling and reporting class attendance and accurately keeping class records Accountable to: Class Administrator 32
Responsibilities: Obtains class records and materials from Director each week Completes the class records during class in accordance with church records process Returns completed class records, including class roll, registration forms (for guests and new members), and record correction forms (for class transfers and other information Responsibilities: changes) to Director at the end of class Assists all guests in filling out forms completely Coordinates registration and tickets sales for class or church-wide events Assists Class Administrator, Member Outreach Leader, and Teacher in the promotion process Provides guests with identifying name tags Prays consistently for class leaders, members, and prospects Identifies and trains potential Class Secretary Class Secretary 33
Assimilation Funnel contact and system Responsibilities:
Definitions of Assimilation Terms Prospect: A person who is a special event guest, a worship guest, a Sunday School guest, or a referral, who has neither joined the church nor the Sunday School class. Sunday School Member: A person who has attended and joined a Sunday School class but may or may not be saved or a member of the church. Everyone who joins the church is automatically enrolled in a Sunday School class, regardless of whether or not they have attended Sunday School. However, someone who joins Sunday School does NOT automatically become a member of the church. Awaiting Baptism: A person who has made a public profession of faith in a worship service, but who has not been scripturally baptized. The first step in obedience is to follow the Lord in baptism, thus connecting them with the local body of believers the church. Member: A person who has joined the church by profession of faith followed by believer s baptism, by statement of faith, or transfer of letter from another Baptist church. Serving: A person who has prayerfully accepted a specific and identifiable ministry role with the church. As a member, we each have a role or function to perform as a part of this body of believers whereby we serve the Lord and others (1 Corinthians 12 14). 35
First Baptist Church Jacksonville Assimilation process Assimilation Process ` Prospects (Event Guests) Prospects (Worship Guests) Sunday School Assigned: Week 1 or Week 2 Phone/Email Goal: Spiritual Conversation Point of Contact: Evangelism Outreach Leader Assigned: Week 1 Phone/Email Week 2 Face to Face Goal: Spiritual Conversation Point of Contact: Evangelism Outreach Leader Prospects (Sunday School Guests) Assigned: Week 1 Phone/Email Week 2 Face to Face Goal: Spiritual Conversation Point of Contact: Evangelism Outreach Leader New Sunday School Members Assigned /Attended Point of Contact: Class Administrator/Care Group Leader/Member Outreach Leader Awaiting Baptism Phone Conversation/Email Point of Contact: Teacher/Class Administrator New Church Members Assigned to Care Group Leader Point of Contact: Class Administrator/Care Group Leader/Member Outreach Leader Serving Identify and Enlist Leaders for Serving 36
Additional resources Visit fbcjax.com/sundayschool for additional resources! 37 37
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