Sunday School Adults

1
Compiled by Ed Gilman
Adult Sunday School Work
2
Adult Sunday School Leadership Job Descriptions
3
Division Director

• Coordinate the work of the Adult
  Sunday School where there are
  two or more adult
  departments.
• Discover training needs and plan training
  opportunities in conjunction with the Sunday
  School Director.
• Participate in outreach efforts, planning
  meetings, and Bible study groups.

4
Department Director

• Discover and enlist other department leaders.
• Monitor the process of assimilate
  new members.
• Lead the department period on
  Sunday morning.
• Lead the planning period for the department at
  worker's meetings.

5
Department Secretary

• Be responsible to the Department Director in all
  matters related to department records.
• Secure reports from class secretaries.
• Determine ways information from
  records can be used to minister to
  people.

6
Teacher

• Be responsible to the Department
  Director or Sunday School Director
  for the total work of the
  class.
• Enlist and train class leaders.
• Participate in planning sessions, outreach and
  visitation activities, and other special Sunday
  School functions.
• Prepare needs based lessons.

7
Class Outreach- Evangelism Leader

• Responsible to the teacher for the overall
  outreach-evangelism responsibilities of the
  class.
• Lead class to discover and enroll prospects.
• Assign prospects to class members
• for outreach and visitation.
• Maintain a good prospect file for
• the class.

8
Class Secretary

• Responsible to the teacher for compiling and
  reporting class membership records.
• Give class records to the Department Secretary or
  Sunday School Secretary.

9
Class Prayer Leader

• Lead class members to pray for specific needs of
  members and prospects.
• Communicate prayer needs and special prayer
  emphases to class members.
• Provide resources to conduct family
  devotions.

10
Class Fellowship Leader

• Responsible to the teacher for planning,
  coordinating, and conducting class social events
  and for leading the assimilation process designed
  to involve new members in the life of the class.

11
Class Care Group Leader

• Contacting, ministering, cultivating,
  and discipling six to ten
  assigned class members.
• Encouraging new Christians,
  using appropriate discipling
  materials.
• Participating in planning meetings.
• Participating in the Outreach Program.

12
How To Keep Adults Coming To Sunday School
13
Build Family

• Know the people by name
• Wear name tags each week
• Greet everyone warmly
• No one sits alone
• Plan social gatherings
• Encourage personal contacts

14
Provide Care

• Organize small ministry groups
• Include members-in-service
• Contact members weekly
• Be sensitive to what is happening in the lives of
  members and prospects
• Respond immediately to needs
• Pray daily

15
Teach Dynamically

• Be thoroughly prepared
• Know how your people learn
• Use interactive experiences
• Encourage learners
• Create a good learning environment
• Use different teaching techniques

16
Reach Out

• Be evangelistic
• Develop a soul-winning mindset
• Make a commitment to evangelism
• Mentor class members
• Be Constant Contact Conscious
• Discover prospective members
• Enlist members in outreach
• GO!

17
Expand Your Vision

• Think new classes
• Set a growth limit on your class
• Develop your replacement
• Think families, not just adults
• Think with a blank sheet of paper
• Go Beyond the Walls

18
(No Transcript)
19
Is Your Class Ready To
Start A New Unit/Class?

• Should your class 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 arent being enrolled in
  our class.
• . We have more prospects for our class than we
  have members.

20
Using A Prospect Fileto Reach Adults
21
Building The Prospect File

• Register those who attend worship and/or Sunday
  School.
• Register those who attend special events.
• Plan events intended to
  discover new people.
• Watch for new people
  moving into the community.

22
Maintaining the Prospect File

• Keep basic information about known prospects in a
  master prospect file.
• Place information on a prospect assignment form
  for distribution through departments and classes
  to contact teams.
• Be certain that prospect information is easily
  accessible by visitation teams.

23
Assigning Contacts

• Distribute assignments during Sunday School,
  during weekly planning meetings, or during
  visitation preparation.
• Make assignments for outreach contacts, absentee
  contacts, and ministry visits.
• Be certain to have enough prospect assignments
  for everyone participating in contact visitation.

24
Receiving Reports

• Be certain that a report is
  made on every contact/visit.
• The written report should contain sufficient
  information to help future visitation teams with
  follow up contacts.
• Reported information should be included in the
  master prospect file, and included on subsequent
  assignment forms.

25
Planning For Follow-up

• Share information about
  the unchurched with FAITH
  teams.
• Develop a system so that names of hot prospects
  recycle on a regular basis.
• Be alert to any needs discovered in prospect
  families, and include that information in the
  report.
• Refer whenever appropriate.

26
How To Teach Adults
27
Roles that describe the adult teacher

• GUIDE The leader is the lesson.
• This idea is a critical thought for anyone who
  wants to teach in any age group.
• Your talent, skills, knowledge, giftedness, and
  experience will be meaningless if your life is
  not a compass pointing participants to True
  NorthJesus Christ Himself.

28
Roles that describe the adult teacher

• CHANGE AGENT Howard Hendricks has said,
  Your task as a communicator is not to impress
  people, but to impact them not just to convince
  them, but to change them.2
• All people need to change. You should be
  changing as you study Gods Word just as those
  you teach should change . . Be transformed.
• How can we know change is taking place? James
  122-25 offers one way to measure change. We must
  become doers of the Word, not merely listeners.
• - Do you emphasize further study of the
  lesson? . .
• - Do you emphasize developing a daily quiet
  time? . .
• - Do you ask for reports on what God has done
  based on a previous Bible study lesson? . .
• - Do you provide opportunities for learners
  to practice a Bible study lesson through
  ministry and outreach? . .

29
Roles that describe the adult teacher

• Discipler You also must be a discipler.
• Luke states, A student is not above his
  teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will
  be like his teacher (Luke 640).
• A disciple is a pupil or learner.
• To be someones disciple suggests
  a total commitment to stay
  close to, learn
  from, and obey the person
  chosen as ones teacher.

30
Roles that describe the adult teacher

• Mentor Paul gave some clear instructions to
  his apprentice Timothy And the things you have
  heard me say in the presence of many witnesses
  entrust to reliable men who will also be
  qualified to teach others (2 Tim. 22).
• Some members you will teach others you may
  disciple. But a select few need you to mentor
  them into leadership roles. They could become
  teachers or might help your class birth a new
  class.
• Right now they are in your class and need
  on-the-job training.
• If you dont mentor them, who will?

31
Roles that describe the adult teacher

• Servant John wrote Whoever serves me must
  follow me and where I am, my servant also will
  be. My Father will honor the one who serves me
  (John 1226).
• We serve a risen Savior who has invited us to
  serve others on His behalf.
• He is with us in every class session,
  every leadership
  meeting and every
  ministry and outreach visit our
  members make!

32
How would you describe . . .

• . . . an EXCELLENT teaching session?
• . . . an ENTHUSIASTIC Bible learner?
• . . . a DYNAMIC Bible Teacher?

33
We teach adults to bring about changes in . . .

• Knowledge
• Understanding
• Attitude
• Skill

Its a vicious circle
34
Building a base for learning by

• Processing new information.
• Assimilating new information.
• Reviewing that which is already known.

Skill
Attitude
Understanding
Knowledge
35
Instant Replay
What One Thing have we learned thus far?
36
People learn by ...
Hearing
Seeing
Doing
37
Note

• No two people learn in exactly the same way.
• Our teaching needs to address their learning
  styles.

38
Auditory Learners

• Remember what they hear, including their own
  comments.
• Remember by talking aloud and through verbal
  repetition.
• Desire to talk through concepts not understood.
• Usually are good listeners.

39
Auditory Learners

• Verbally express excitement about learning.
• Remember verbal instructions without writing them
  down.
• Enjoy class discussions and talking with others.
• Are easily distracted by sound, but also find
  silence distracting.

40
Auditory Learners

• Participate in debates, interviews, and panel
  discussions.
• Advocate the use of story telling to learn a
  moral lesson or truth.
• Enjoy interesting lectures.
• Find it difficult to work quietly for extended
  periods of time.
• Enjoy music activities.

41
Visual Learners

• Desire to see words written down.
• Prefer to see a picture along with something
  being described.
• Prefer a time line to remember historical events.
• Prefer written instructions for assignments.
• Observe all the physical elements of the
  classroom.

42
Visual Learners

• Carefully organize their learning materials.
• Enjoy visually stimulating learning environments.
• Like to see pictures along with printed content.
• Remember and understand through diagrams, charts,
  graphs, and maps.

43
Visual Learners

• Appreciate multimedia presentations.
• Enjoy creative writing.
• Prefer small-group study teams to discuss
  assignments.
• Study material by reviewing notes and organizing
  information in outline form.
• Enjoy visual art activities.

44
Kinesthetic Learners

• Become physically involved with the subject being
  studied.
• Enjoy acting out a situation through dramatic
  methods.
• Volunteer to do role play and monologues.
• Enjoy making something or completing a project.

45
Kinesthetic Learners

• Prefer physically handling learning materials.
• Remember and understand through doing.
• Take study notes to keep busy, but often do not
  read them.
• Enjoy using computers.

46
Kinesthetic Learners

• Become physically active and enthusiastic about
  what they are doing.
• Have a hard time sitting still for extended
  periods of time.
• Like to complete crossword and other kinds of
  puzzles.
• Enjoy hands-on art activities.

47
How DO they learn?

• Talk about the unique learning styles of the
  people you teach on Sunday morning.
• Talk about YOUR learning style.

48
Instant Replay
What One Other Thing have we learned thus far?
49
Choosing the Best Teaching Method

• Listening or Observing Methods
• Verbal Methods
• Writing Methods
• Activity Methods

50
Learn Biblical Truth

• Content
• Concept
• Context
• Conduct

• What does the Bible Passage say?
• What is the meaning of the Biblical truth from
  the Bible passage?
• How does the meaning of the biblical truth relate
  to the learners life context?
• What changes in personal conduct should result
  from applying the Biblical truth?

51
Developing Contemporary Teaching Styles

• Study the Scripture thoroughly.
• Decide what you want to accomplish.
• Start early.
• Use your imagination.

52
Developing Contemporary Teaching Styles

• Enlist people to help you.
• Keep it simple.
• Dont lose the message in the medium.
• Dont give up.

53
How Would You Teach . . .

• 2 Timothy 47
• I have fought the good fight, I have finished
  the course, I have kept the faith.

54
Instant Replay
What One Final Thing have we learned today?
55
Teach With Technology
56
Weve Come A Long Way Baby!

• From . . .
• Flip Charts
• Black Boards
• Film Strips
• Floppy records
• Flannel Graph

• To . . .
• VCRs/DVDs
• Computers
• Bible on Tape/CD
• Voice mail
• The Internet

57
US Households with Electronic Products

• Television 98
• Home Radios 98
• Corded Telephones 96
• VCRs 93
• Answering Machines 70
• Cordless Telephones 65
• CD Players 68
• Personal computers 55

• Computer printers 50
• Camcorders 43
• Cellular telephones 45
• Computer CD-ROM 45
• Modems 52
• Caller ID devices 30
• Home fax machines 18
• Laserdisc players 12

Year 2000
58
Use Video to Teach

• Use short clip as a discussion starter.
• ALWAYS preview clip before using.
• Select clips from a wide variety of sources,
  including old standards and new movies.
• Avoid over use.
• Be sure point is clearly communicated.

59
From word to image

• Yesterday, the word was the primary unit of
  cultural currency.
• Today, the image is the primary unit of cultural
  currency.
• The Soul never thinks without a mental picture.
• What are images?

60
Major League Baseball

• What do they deliver?
• Baseball?
• No! They deliver . . .
• An experience!

61
Use Video to Teach

• Use short clip as a discussion starter.
• ALWAYS preview clip before using.
• Select clips from a wide variety of sources,
  including old standards and new movies.
• Avoid over use.
• Be sure point is clearly communicated.

62
Use the Computer

• Make presentations more interesting with
  PowerPoint.
• Study the Bible more effectively on line.
• Use the Internet as a vast source of information.
• Use e-mail to communicate.

63
Use PowerPoint

• To create interest
• To focus attention
• To illustrate a lecture
• To provide a visual outline

64
Study the Bible

• Word search (Concordance)
• Compare multiple translations
• On-line Commentaries
• Make your own notes
• Export to Word Processor

65
Search the Internet

• Lifeway Home Page
• - Age-group Sites
• - Denominational Links
• - Educational
• Institutions
• - SBC Agencies
• - State Conventions
• - Local Churches

66
Search the Internet

• Web Sites
• - Publishers and Products
• - Specific interest groups
• - Christian families
• - Missionary Prayer needs
• - Training calendars
• Online Helps

67
Use The Internet

• Set up on-line Bible studies using chat rooms.
• Post study notes on a web site.
• Encourage hits by anyone who is interested in
  the study topic.
• Follow up, follow up, follow up.

68
Use E-mail

• To maintain contact
• To make assignments
• - For Class Sessions
• - For Ministry
• - For Visitation
• To affirm and encourage

69
Listen to the Bible

• Available in variety of translations
• Excellent for use when . . .
• - Traveling by automobile
• - Walking for exercise
• - Working around the house
• More flexible than reading

70
Use Voice-Mail

• If they have it, use it
• - Never waste a call
• - Leave a brief, up-beat message
• If you have it, use it
• - Record specific class instructions
• - Let people know you are doing it

71
Use Voice-Mail

• To encourage attendance
• To promote class/church events
• - Class Fellowships
• - Church-wide emphases
• To share a brief gospel presentation

72
Teach With Technology

• Thats where we are
• People expect more than the same old same old
• You will find satisfaction in discovering new
  ways to tell the old, old story

73
Teach With Technology

• Dont Be Afraid of it!
• Use it to communicate the Good
  News
• Find new and creative ways to use it
• Keep the focus on the message, not the medium

74
21st Century Sunday School Ministry
75
Sunday School Ministry

• Sunday School is the foundational strategy in a
  local church for leading people to faith in the
  Lord Jesus Christ and for building Great
  Commission Christians through Bible study groups
  that engage people in evangelism, discipleship,
  ministry, fellowship, and worship.

76
Grouping Young Adults

• 18-24
• Collegians
• Young Singles
• Young Marrieds

77
Grouping Adults

• 25-39
• 40-59
• 60-74
• 75 and Up

78
Maximum Enrollment

• 25 per class for Single Gender Classes.
• 35 - 40 per class for Co-Ed Classes.
• 125 per Department.

79
Class Leadership

• Teacher
• Class Coordinator
• Apprentice
• Secretary
• Team Leaders

80
Class Team Leader

• Leads a team assigned to focus attention on the
  work of the class in a specific church function
  area.

81
Worship Team

• Creates a worshipful atmosphere, leading small
  group worship experiences, and encouraging
  personal worship in home and family settings.

82
Evangelism Team

• Creates an atmosphere that encourages unsaved
  people to place their faith in Christ and
  encourages believers to lead others to Christ.
• In churches using FAITH, members of this team
  should also be on a FAITH Team.

ONE WAY
Jesus
83
Discipleship Team

• Creates an atmosphere that encourages believers
  to grow in maturity in Christ.
• Team members monitor the discipleship needs of
  believers and work with the churchs Discipleship
  Director to provide opportunities focused to
  address those needs.

CLASSES
How to grow in your faith How to live by
faith How to share your faith How to love nasty
people
84
Fellowship Team

• Creates an atmosphere conducive to members
  building relationships with one another.
• Help new members be assimilated into the
  fellowship of the class and the class team to
  which they are assigned.

85
Ministry Team

• Creates an atmosphere in which members and
  prospects can experience direct care and concern
  for lifes needs.
• Identify and implement ministry and mission
  projects that utilize the gifts and abilities of
  class members.