Leading Attenders to Meet God in Bible Study, Part 1

One of the hardest things for a teacher (or preacher) to do is to get out of the way in the teaching/preaching event. The aim is to lead hearers/attenders to experience God in Bible study. In order to do so, we must lead them to hear him, not just us. We must move from serving as teachers of the Word to facilitators of an experience.

Let me explain what I mean. As Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God points out, God desires a relationship that is real and personal. That goes beyond mere knowledge of the pages of the Bible to a daily encounter with Him. It involves Bible study (listening to God), prayer (talking to God), commitment (agreeing with God), and obedience (walking with God).

Many are good teachers about God and His Word, but fewer are able to lead learners into His presence, into a personal encounter with God that is transforming. One of the problems is that many teachers have never had that kind of Bible study experience themselves. It is difficult to lead others to do something we have never done.

How can we lead teachers to understand the difference? How can we lead teachers to move toward facilitators? Am I making too much ado about nothing? Over the next four posts, I want to share four suggestions that may help, but more importantly I'd love to hear your ideas.

The Art of Good Questions

I believe Josh Hunt is right (to read his article, press the title above). We are often more concerned with what we have to say than what others have to say. And yet, good questions can be avenues to greater participation, involvement with the truth, and learning. A good class will do what it takes to move beyond a cognitive dump.

While lecture connects learners with the teacher, questions can lead to additional connections between learners. Their answers can lead to dialogue, reflection, assessment, and even affinity. Good questions ask more than yes or no. They expect more than one word/phrase answers. They lead to thinking and to applying. Their impact often continues beyond the moment.

I am grateful for Josh's reminder that questions "help you to discover what they still need to learn." Every lesson needs to reveal additional needs of learners. I believe the perceptive teacher should learn as much from the class encounter as from preparation. But this is not an easy "skill" to teach teachers. Since most of us teach like we were taught (often lecture), how can we lead teachers to utilize and benefit from good question-asking?

Name Tags: Do You Know Me?

If I as a guest knew the name of three persons in the class at the end of the hour of Bible study, would I be more likely or less likely to return to the class? I believe most guests would be more likely. Since 60% of people today are visual learners, the best way for people to learn names is not necessarily speaking the name.

I understand there is a cost involved for name tags, but reusable ones that pin or clip on can save money in the long run. And if one guest joins, the money spent on name tags is well invested. Blank cards can be available to insert in the plastic holder for the guest. It helps the class and the guest to get to know each other and be called by name.

I recommend the class develop a method for displaying all of the name tags on a wall or board in the class. Then when attenders for the day wear their name tags, the remaining ones are a reminder to contact absentees. This can be an easy way to make assignments for contact and prayer. How have you seen name tags help in Sunday School?

Using the Bible

I have seen so many materials used in Sunday School. So many times, the materials used are commentaries or teacher books. At times, they may be discipleship studies needed and requested by the attenders. At other times, books may serve as the literature-du-jour. Each of these concern me.

The Bible is the only teaching material that has God as its author and offers the power to change lives. Too often we get further and further from the source. My fear is that God's still small voice may be distorted or may go unheard when getting away from the primary source.

In addition, teaching materials are often used as crutches for teachers who have not spent enough time with God in prayer, Bible study, and preparation. In other words, they depend on the teacher book for teaching activities or questions rather than having heard a word from God first personally and second for the class.

Finally, I have seen so many teachers teaching out of the teacher book/resource rather than the Bible. I know that adults have the ability to think abstractly. I know they are capable of understanding that teaching from the teacher book is helping them to explore God's Word. But there is just something powerful about seeing the Bible in the hand of the teacher or preacher as God's Word is taught. Put your notes in the Bible and teach from it the next time you teach. Tell me what happens.

Balancing Growth and Multiplication

The body dies when cells stop dividing, stop growing new ones. Cells require growth prior to multiplication. Then the nucleus (the brain) leads the way by multiplying prior to the cell.

There are many lessons about Sunday School classes in these facts. The body of Christ dies when classes stop growing new ones. Classes need to gain some maturity and numerical growth prior to starting new classes. The teacher leads the class to multiply by apprenticing a new leader. If the teacher is against multiplication, it is unlikely that it will occur.

What is the appropriate balance between growth and multiplication? It is more than the issue of the ideal number at which a class should multiply. A certain amount of health, of vitality, is needed in order for multiplication to be a beneficial experience, in order for both classes not only to survive but thrive. What are the class vitals necessary for this to happen?

Home or Church: Best Place to Meet?

There are advantages to meeting at church. In most cases, none of the class attenders is responsible for cleaning or setting up the classroom. No parents have to worry about a babysitter. More people generally know where the church is. Worship happens before or after Sunday School in the same building(s). Less time is invested in attending class and worship at church when they are back to back.

There are advantages to meeting in a home. Some feel more comfortable in a home than in a church. Schedule can be adjusted to allow more Bible study and fellowship time--don't have to rush in order to get to worship. Can meet any time that is convenient for attenders. Generally better for smaller groups. Can take turns playing host, getting more attenders involved in the class. A babysitter can be provided for parents.

But which is the best? Can one reach all people? Or will both be required? Again, if 40% cannot attend on Sunday morning, options must be considered in order for the church to take Bible study to the world. With whom is meeting at church best? With whom is meeting in a home best? Can both be offered without complications in a church? Again, I have lots of questions......

How Much Time Does It Take to Prepare a Lesson?

Are Bible lessons better when we study longer? And what is the best balance of study time: Bible, prayer, commentary, devotional, and other? Is it possible to study smarter, to spend time that is better invested, in order to make our lessons more effective?

In my experience studying some each day, especially early in the week is most beneficial. My suggestion is to read the scripture passage and pray on Sunday afternoon. That will help you avoid missing opportunities to experience daily life illustrations that God provides for teaching the truth to meet learner needs.

In addition to scripture study, spend part of your preparation time in prayer and reflection upon your needs and those of learners. In this pursuit, then, how much time is enough? Is 30 minutes on each of five days enough? Is more time needed on Saturday night/Sunday morning?

Class Size vs Room Size

What would happen if you moved a Sunday School class to a larger room every time more people attended? Would the class continue to grow? Or would it reach a point of complacency in size? Would it cease growing?

Does it make a difference whether the class is organized early in its life? What if the class has care groups, monthly fellowships, and weekly efforts to contact and enroll new people? Is there a point at which the average class loses momentum?

If 2-6 participate on Sunday morning in an average group of 10, 20, or more, then does the increase in size lead to an decrease in assimilation? Does the lack of interaction lead to a lack of relational connection? Does it lead to stagnancy? Or could breaking into smaller groups for a portion of the time allow a class to continue to grow where space does not limit it?

Why Is Sunday School More Effective than Worship Alone at Winning the Lost?

Andy Anderson, who passed away in 1991, researched Southern Baptist churches of all sizes and discovered that Sunday School had a greater salvation impact than worship alone. He found that only one lost person out of 342 who attended worship only came to a saving knowledge of Jesus in twelve months. On the other hand, one of three lost persons who attended Sunday School accepted Jesus in the same period.

The truth is that most who attend Sunday School also attend worship. But today, while worship attendance appears to be increasing, Sunday School is declining. And the number of lost people attending Sunday School seems to be declining.

Why is Sunday School more effective at winning the lost? Certainly the opportunity to discuss God and His Word has impact. The inability in most classes to be anonymous must be significant. But what are the other contributing issues? Also, since we want to have the greatest impact possible on the salvation of the lost, what can we do to lead more of them to attend Sunday School?

The Teacher Is the Key to Starting New Classes

In my experience, the best way to start a new class is for the teacher of an existing class to train an apprentice to take over the existing class. The teacher then leads a seed group of one to five other individuals from that class or other classes to form the nucleus of the new class. People are usually willing to follow the teacher.

That group of two to six (including the teacher) add great dynamics of personality, ability, gifts, experience, etc. to the work of the new class. It can be very discouraging in the early weeks if the teacher of the new classes does not have anyone helping him/her.

The second best way is for the apprentice to lead a seed group to start a new class. The teacher has trained the apprentice in how to teach, reach, fellowship, minister, apprentice, and multiply. When the apprentice is ready, the teacher "kicks" the apprentice out of the nest.

The whole process is stopped, however, when the teacher is against starting a new class. What can we do to help our teachers become agents for class multiplication?

Sunday School: Is Anyone in Charge?

I fully understand that God is in charge, but I believe there is an ownership problem in Sunday School. When the job belongs to everyone, no one does it. Assignments are necessary in order for the ministry to be accomplished. For instance, ministry and outreach contacts are best carried out through some kind of regular assignment process or organizational structure, such as care groups, etc. But far too few of our classes are organized. No one is in charge.

On the other hand, it seems that we have an aversion to accountability. Without positive accountability, much less will be accomplished for God. I believe even Jesus recognized our need for this when he said in John, "Encourage one another." Those in 5K races as well as those in life and ministry perform better with encouragement. But since no one is in charge, encouragement is not offered.

Why are we so afraid of assigning responsibility? Are we lazy? Do we think we can do it better than anyone else? Are we afraid to give up authority? In the meantime, we are crippling the Sunday School. Leaders are not developed. We get burned out. Ministry does not get done. How can we help our classes to make sure someone is in charge?

Can Sunday School Reach All People?

In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded His disciples to "go and make disciples of ALL nations" (Mt 28:19, NIV, emphasis added). Why is the tool of the Sunday School, as it has been practiced, incapable of reaching all people? What limits it from reaching all people?

If Sunday School is only offered on Sunday morning, 40% of people cannot attend. They are the firemen, policemen, medical personnel, and other workers American society has come to expect. Vision and leaders appear to be in short supply. And current churches can't get remotely close to housing all people if Sunday School space is used only once and limited to the church campus.

What then is the answer? How can we lead church leadership to consider the need of ALL nations? How can we begin to offer Bible study at more times and places? How can we increase vision and leader enlistment and development? Are we stuck with ineffective Sunday School?

Sunday School Learning Environment

Does the learning environment have any impact on what happens in a class? Does it impact learning? Does it impact relationships? Does it impact assimilation?

In my experience, the physical environment does make a difference. I have talked to women who could not attend class because of cold temperatures. I have talked to senior adults who could not attend because there were no chairs with arms to push out of in order to stand up. I have known children and adults who could not attend because the church did not have ramps, elevators, and handicapped accessible bathrooms.

The social environment also impacts Sunday School. Since so much communication is nonverbal (93%), how can relationships with classmates be enhanced when the teacher lectures to rows of attenders? Yes, teachers and attenders can connect relationally, but how do you connect with backs of heads--attenders with attenders? When there are two or fewer friends in class, people tend to drop out. Also, since hearing alone has a low 20% rate of learning retention, lecture/rows can have other obvious impacts on learning besides relationships.

What other ways does the physical and social environment impact what happens in the class?

How Do We Teach Them to Obey?

In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded us to teach "them to obey everything I have commanded you" (NIV). There are so many key words in the phrase. Them refers to all nations. He used obey rather than know--much different. Everything does not allow for teaching only what we prefer. I have commanded you reminds us of the example and teachings of Jesus.

What does it take for us to teach to obey? How do we teach our disciples to apply (live out) His commands? There are so many answers. His promise is significant: "I am with you always" (NIV). His example is important: He did not spend all of His time with the group, but spent time mentoring Peter, James, and John individually and as a small group.

Could it be that we need to do more than lecture? Could it be that we need to spend some of our time with individuals? Could it be that we need to discover needs of learners in order to know how best to teach so they can learn and apply? Could it be that we neglect to seek His leadership in preparing to teach? There are so many questions.......

Class Multiplication

What happens to a human body when its cells stop multiplying, stop producing new cells? Death. What happens to a church when its cells stop producing new cells? The same--death.

The cells of churches are small groups/Sunday School classes. Small groups include work groups, support groups, discipleship groups, and Sunday School classes/small group Bible studies. When those cells stop multiplying, church death begins. These classes often stop growing before they stop multiplying.

What is it that leads to this lack of growing to be like Christ and growing new relationships? What is it that happens in classes leading to the lack of preparation for multiplication? Could it be the lack of a vision (not just human vision but God's vision) for the class? What can a teacher, Sunday School director, or pastor do to spur growth and multiplication?

Best Friends in Sunday School

What is the definition of a friend? Someone you can count on in time of need? Someone who cares about you no matter what?

The best classes seem to be full of friends. What does it take for that kind of relationship to develop? How does Sunday School lead complete strangers to become friends? What can a class do to encourage that kind of relationships?

Josh Hunt says in his book, You Can Double Your Class in Two Years or Less, that those with seven friends in a class will never leave. How can this happen? Is it different for men than it is for women?

Caring for God's Sheep

What happens when we don't provide the care for God's sheep that He expects? Jesus reminds us in John 10:11-13 that He is the shepherd-owner of the sheep and we are His shepherd-stewards.

A great way to care for His sheep is through the Sunday School. But since Sunday School attendance and enrollment in most denominations in the United States is falling, it is obvious to me that we are not doing a very good job of serving as His shepherd-stewards.

I believe we are too busy, too lazy, and too unconcerned for God and those He loves. What will it take to make Him and them a priority in our lives? How can we help Christians see how the Sunday School can be the tool to care for His sheep?

What's Wrong with Sunday School?

I have attended a lot of adult Sunday School classes in the last couple of years. There have been a few great experiences and many mediocre ones. I have been trying to figure out what the solution is for the mediocre ones.

There are lots of problems. Many classes are ingrown, closed, unused to welcoming guests. They are often friendly to each other. Guests must have lots of patience to consider becoming members.

And the lessons often lack variety in presentation and too seldom seek participation. But I am becoming convinced that the biggest problem is the lack of passion. I mean a passion that comes from believing the truth is important. A passion that comes from believing attenders need an encounter with God that leads them to change. But most important, a passion that comes from having spent time with God before leading attenders to do the same. What is the answer? How has Sunday School gotten to this point?

Are you having any of the same kinds of experiences? Am I out of touch? What am I missing?