Featured How to get people interested in Sunday School

There is a risk of being perceived as a pest.

Mrs. Rolf and I briefly attended a church a number of years ago that practiced this. Great church: friendly people, good preaching, no serious doctrinal disagreements. We loved it there.

After three or four months we left. Why? They would not stop visiting and calling us. Requests that the pastors stop repeatedly showing up at our door unannounced were ignored, so we made our exit.

 

Our church is in a similar situation as Preachin' Jesus. Our Senior Adults use the quarterlies and probably use them for their private devotions at home.

However, none of the other classes are even expected to prepare. Teachers simply present the lesson each week, usually little by little with questions for discussion and application after each point, and when someone says something that one of us teachers thinks is really wrong, our response is measured depending on the seriousness of the error and the contentiousness of the issue...

ie, if someone argues for an alternative eschatological view, we would probably say, "that's a view many christian's hold, and that's fine."

If someone speaks of losing one's salvation, we would likely point to several verses that support eternal security, but then also admit that many Christians disagree.

If someone proposes that Jesus was not really divine and had 5 children with Mary Magdeline, we would likely try to correct it more forcefully for the benefit of the entire class.

We might recommend a book no more than 3-4o times a year, at the beginning of a new series, if there is a book we are basing the lessons on, or that fits well with the topic.

It is helpful to not try to do to much. Occasionally a fill-in teacher will try to do to much, and ends up monologuing for 40 minutes and then says, "Any questions?" At that point, even those who have tried to keep up have so many thoughts swirling in their head that they wouldn't know where to start.

Our Sunday School has been growing in recent years, even faster than worship service attendance. Interest is there, and discussions are often lively, but not in preparing for SS ahead of time. We have not attempted to change that.

 

I kindly submit that you have an unrealistic view of what Sunday School attendees will accept. Homework, tests, etc. in school are tolerated because they are mandated. People do not attend SS because they are required to, but to learn and fellowship. Burden people with requirements, and they will view it as just that... a burden.

I am not too old to remember my school days as a boy. I was blessed to have one teacher (who happened to be a pastor) who, at times, was willing to deviate from his planned lesson because someone had a question. It happened often enough that it became a running joke. I suspect, had his superiors found out, he would have been disciplined; but those unplanned lessons were the most beneficial to us. We loved him as a mentor for it. Decades later, they are still imprinted in my memory and am grateful for them.

 

As I said, you seem to have an unrealistic expectation of people.

Burden people with required reading assignments, homework, etc. and observe the reaction.

 

And I never said that it should not study the Bible. That is the whole purpose of Sunday School.

 

I didn't express myself very well!.
I spend many hours preparing for each class I teach. I'd guess about 10 hours for each session. Between books, while my co-instructor is teaching, I'll read a few commentaries and work through the text. Putting together a basic outline of my lessons - I deviate from my arranged plans upon beginning teaching when questions arise that limits time. We spend a good bit of time in discussion.

Yet I attend a group study on Wednesday evenings and another Men's study on Saturday mornings that I don't spend time preparing for - my time is limited.
The participants in the class I co-lead are eager to learn but have their own outside interests too - their own studies, their own reading, their own work, family, and business. Life is very busy these days.

Rob

 

evangelist6589, me tinks' the best way to get people interested is to first admit that you can't "get" folks to do anything. Then, allow those who want to "get" involved, can actually do so.

This attitude of, "...dat' ain't da' way we did it back in 52" just doesn't fly anymore. Way too many churches are their own worst enemies.

Of course, you don't turn the church over to the membership unattended but as I reflect back over the past three years under a wonderful and insightful pastor when it comes to the Word..., the only thing I'm permitted to contribute is my weekly tithe check.

...leaves a bit to be desired.