Two More Ways to Reach Outward for Growth in Sunday School
In order for a Sunday school class to reach outward they must develop a prospect care list. This list contains people that the class can pray for on a regular basis, and find ways to show them the love of Jesus in practical ways.
To begin the list, ask for names of prospects and contact information from class members. Try using FRANs (friends,
relatives, associates, and neighbors). The associates you add to the list come from the people the class members know other than friends, relatives, and neighbors. You can add names from one area per week for four weeks, and really come up with a good list of names.
After making a list, determine a plan for making regular contacts. This usually means 2 – 4 times a month. Regular contacts include phone calls, letters, texts, Face Time, or using social media. You can let them know that the class is praying for them, find out if they have any unmet needs, invite them to fellowships and projects, and invite them to Sunday school.
Speaking of fellowships and projects, a Sunday school class can also reach outward by planning both of them once a
quarter. These activities outside of the time and place of the Sunday school lesson allows prospects and class members an opportunity to build relationships in a casual atmosphere. To plan the fellowships the class needs to elect a planning team, which will take pressure off the teacher for making sure the events happen. Once the planning team has the fellowship/project scheduled, they communicate that to the rest of the class. The class members then make contact with their prospects to invite them to join in.
Keep in mind the purpose of inviting prospects to the fellowship or project: providing a bridge with the people already active in the Sunday school class. It can seem intimidating for someone new to attend a class that already has structure. A fellowship or project gives them a way to connect in a less structured environment.
Plan fellowships that encourage casual, fun, conversations in a relaxed atmosphere. Plan projects to get something done. Some people enjoy talking, while others enjoy doing; that's why both fellowships and projects contain importance.
Darryl Wilson shared a great story about an outdoor beautification project one class planned. One particular prospect who had not been receptive to any other activity joined this one, because he loved landscaping. He participated in this one project, connected with other people that day, started attending Sunday school, and then in a few weeks accepted Jesus Christ as
Savior!
Pastor Nathan Whisnant
