Assisting Churches Today for Tomorrow

A familiar trend?

Throughout the many years of my ministry I have never felt a need to justify or defend the need for a strong Sunday Bible study, that is until this past few years.  Increasingly we are seeing a significant reduction of the emphasis on Bible study.   For decades there was a deep understanding and commitment to the Bible study ministry but not as much today.  In fact for years and years, at least in Southern Baptist circles, if you asked how the church was doing the first mark discussed was the Sunday School.   The health and vitality of the Sunday School reflected the health and vitality of the church and vice versa, not so today. 

The troubling thing is that this is a familiar trend in church practice.  Have you stopped lately to think about all the changes that are taking place in our churches today?  Let me just mention a few that come to my mind and I am guessing you can add a few more.  There was a time which past several years ago when all churches which had a Sunday School at all had weekly workers meetings, then they became monthly meetings and now some meet quarterly or not at all.  I never thought I would witness the dropping of the Sunday night schedule in our churches but alas it is common now to find churches with no worship at all on Sunday night or if they meet it is for other type programming.   Can you remember when we had visitation ministries well they’ve gone as well for the most part.  And how about one that is really key to a church fulfilling the great commission—the evangelism ministry. 

Now don’t think I am not aware that there are still many churches that still conduct most all of these but I assert that those churches are definitely in the minority and are exceptions to the growing new norm.    We cannot let our Sunday Bible Study become another casualty to our drift away from such vital ministries.   One last observation is as you look at all these ministries they have something in common, they are essential to fulfilling the Great Commission and they are hard.  When I say they are hard doesn’t mean they aren’t fun and exciting too but they require more from us and there in may be part of the problem.

A Goal to Achieve vs. A Circumstance to Avoid

One of the most difficult aspects to keeping your Small Groups ministry growing is the intentionality of birthing new groups regularly.  In my own experience this is a challenge I must always keep before my leaders.  However, it is not enough to keep it before your leaders if they in turn are not teaching this to their group members and keeping this as a goal to achieve not a circumstance they hope to avoid.

Failure at this point is directly linked to not understanding the mission and purpose of the Small Group ministry.  If your Small Group ministry is clearly dedicated to reaching people for Jesus Christ as its first priority there will be a whole different attitude concerning beginning new class groups. 

Once the leader and the members in a group not only understand but commit themselves to this principle they will see the victory in birthing new groups.  Like any family, a small group may have a tinge of sorrow about losing members from their immediate fellowship but it is short lived and put into Kingdom perspective.

What is missing in the purpose of our Small Groups today?

In previous articles I have talked about the purposes or functions of the Small Groups ministry.  The four main purposes have always been to reach people for Christ, to teach the Word of God, to win the lost to salvation and disciple those who are born again.  Some today have emphasized ministry as a function.  I would say that I can’t disagree but I would also say that ministry has always been a part of carrying out the reaching, teaching, winning and discipling as the purposes. 

So what is missing and how is it making a difference in the way our churches do ministry.  What is missing from the purpose of our Small Groups is evangelism.  For the most part when you read and study nearly all materials written today to instruct others how to conduct Small Groups there is no mention of evangelism.  Quiet to the contrary there is a strong emphasis that the primary if not only purpose of a Small Group is to build community to form relationships and conduct a Bible study.  I will discuss later the weak approach that most such groups take when conducting Bible study.

Here’s the problem with Small Groups not having evangelism and reaching people as a part of their purpose.  First, reaching people is the primary purpose for Christ’s mission on earth.  I often ask those discussing the purpose of the Small Groups ministry, “What do you think the primary purpose would be if Jesus was teaching your Small Group?”  Nearly everyone must agree sooner or later it would be primarily evangelistic.  Secondly, the result is that those who think Small Groups are only about community and relationships really don’t understand the push and emphasis on evangelism.  That is why so many leaders in churches that only emphasize community or fellowship don’t get it and find a total disconnect when urged to make contacts or visits with absentees or prospective members. 

To begin effectively utilizing the powerful tool of Small Groups as a growth agent, you must incorporate evangelism and outreach as part of the purpose.  When you do, you will find a new zeal and passion for your Small Groups ministry.

A new awareness

There is an encouraging sign out there today. There seems to me to be a number of churches and church leaders taking a new look at the effectiveness of their off campus groups. Even at Willow Creek Community Church, where some would argue small groups off campus got their start, there is a serious evaluation of their small group strategy.

I have talked with Pastors and church leaders who are coming to grips with the reality that something is just not working with their small group ministry. There are several things that are weak with this method as the only strategy for small groups but one of the most serious concerns to me is the lack of accountability that most cmall groups off campus exhibit.

Today there is a small but growing number of leaders giving small groups on campus a new look. This is an exciting opportunity because an honest evaluation will prove that on campus groups are more effective in many areas. There is accountability, more consistant quality in the instruction, a far better path to growth and much more when your small groups are on campus.

Don't get me wrong, I do believe that there are those exceptionally committed and talented leaders who have effective and accountable small groups off campus. I also believe that there is a definate roll the small group off campus can play in reaching our communities for Christ and Bible study. However, if you are concerned that your groups ministry isn't as effective as you feel it should be check out an effective on campus stategy for groups.

Don't Sell Your Small Groups Short

I recently attended a meeting with nearly fifty other Christian educators and pastors who spent several hours discussing what was working and what was not working with their groups whether Sunday School or by some other name. One interesting side bar observation was that among these leaders, all of whom were from Mega churches, the majority still called their Bible Study ministry Sunday School.

Most of these church leaders have growing and strong Bible study groups. Yet there is a common agreement that Christian education and Sunday School specifically are in for some hard times in our churches today. Many are questioning the future of our groups’ ministry and how we can keep them growing and effective.

There seems today to be a desire from church leaders for quick numbers and seeking ways to make the “big splash” and beat the next church with innovation. The focus has become a style of ministry that some would say is entertainment driven. There seems to be a short sighted view of what we can and should accomplish through our Bible study ministry.

Part of selling our groups short derives from the acceptance that our groups (Bible study ministry) are only about connecting and building community. While this is very important in any church ministry our Sunday Schools or groups can accomplish much more for the Kingdom when employed effectively.

Let’s look at what your groups can accomplish for your ministry. They can grow a church with committed members and attendees better than any other tool, history and records prove this. Small groups can also serve as an extremely effective evangelistic tool which can make certain every member is confronted personally about their personal relationship with Christ. They can make sure that participants are systematically studying the Word of God on a regular basis. Groups also serve as a forum for guiding members through personal spiritual growth and life transformation. Finally our groups serve as the most effective way to keep up with and minister to every member or attendee.

When you have such a strong multifaceted tool in your arsenal don’t sell it short as “only” a tool for connecting members to one another.

Giving Small Groups Vitality and Zeal

I find it very interesting that there seems to be a challenge among many if not most churches that use their cell groups primarily for connection and community, to keep them from becoming stale and stagnate.  I have heard this discussed at their conferences and see it in their articles, books and other materials.  I have seen the same thing happen in Sunday School classes that become lifeless and aimless.  These groups whether on campus or off campus, whether cell groups or Sunday School soon begin to loose members/attendees and their fellowship becomes impersonal and routine.  Worst of all there is little Bible Study and a lack of spiritual transformation.

So much for describing what way too many of our groups are like, what do we do to get them to come alive again.  I think the basic problem comes back to a lack of understanding of what we are trying to accomplish with our groups.  People will soon grow tired of meeting just for the sake of fellowship.  While relationships are a powerful magnet which draws and even holds people to a group there must be something more.  We must give people a higher spiritual mission or calling than just building community.  For one thing our world today is way too busy and people’s lives are far too complex to pay the price to be part of a group for nothing more than the fellowship.  We shortchange group members when we fail to provide a Kingdom vision for being part of a group.  There are many personal benefits but there is also a mission we are on in our small groups.  Our focus in church has come to be more on “us” than on “others”.  Our groups will remain alive and dynamic, when we lead them to see that God is using them to reach out to and make an impact on others even while group members gain the benefit of Bible study and the witness from participants within the group

We always benefit from raising the vision of our members.  When we give members a clear word from God that we are on mission in our groups and not just soaking up benefits for ourselves there will be a new zeal!

Small Groups that aren't small.

One key problem with Small Groups a.k.a. Sunday School is that way too many aren't small.  For us to achieve nearly every one of the tasks for which we operate our Bible study ministry (by any name) we need to keep it small.  This seems to go against every good ole American idea of success but it is true that we need groups that are small in number or at least in function. 

What does that mean?  Well one of our CAMA Associates, Gary Ellis, Associate Pastor, Administration and Program at Edmond's First Baptist Church in Oklahoma shared with me a good definition on size of a class or small group several years ago.  "A class (or group) ought to be large enough to foster good Bible study discussion yet small enough that no one can be present without being noticed or absent without being missed."  I have shared this for years with other church leaders because it removes the argument over an arbitrary number for determining our size our groups ought to be.  This serves as a filter through which I evaluate every class.  It is trickier than it sounds however, especially the part about the group being small enough to not miss anyone who is absent.  I would submit that in order to fulfill the above definition the class or group must stay small or be organized with several subgroups to help accomplish the task.

Size is an often violated law of growth for our groups!  If we can't lead a good Bible study discussion or there are too many people to notice everyone present or absent then we no longer have a small group we have a congregation.

The basic functions of Sunday School

For some of you a discussion of the functions of Sunday School may seem too basic or even elementary.   However, you would also agree that a good understanding of the basic functions or purposes of Sunday School is widely misunderstood.  Once again, let me remind you that even if you have given your Sunday School a new name the functions that will make your small groups work have not changed.   The basic four functions of Sunday School are: Reaching, Teaching, Winning and Discipling.  In today's culture and language you may already be saying what about Fellowship?  Wait, stay with me we will get there after a brief discussion.

It is little wonder that our Sunday Schools or groups often do not achieve the results we are looking for if many leaders do not understand what the main task are for this important ministry.  Also, the problem of ineffectiveness is compounded when our class or group leaders fail to grasp the primary importance.  The problem is caught up in the critical difference of opinion between whether the primary focus of our groups is to be on Bible Study or Reaching People.  Believe it or not this critical point will often determine whether you have a growing Sunday School or groups ministry or one that just hangs on and eventually dies.

Both of these functions are critical to the mission of the church and we need to make sure we provide opportunities for both, but your Sunday morning Bible study ministry will help build up the church if you keep the primary function zeroed in on reaching people.  Leaders that understand this often point out that you cannot teach, win or disciple those who have not been reached.  I am quick, however, to remind my leaders that all four functions are critically important and that there has not been an outreach or evangelism program developed that can "reach" people faster than poor teaching can empty the class.  It definitely is not an "either/or" situation.

O.K. what about that all important fellowship thing?  Well for sure and for certain your Sunday School or groups ministry will not grow without good fellowship, however, when you explore the New Testament you will not find any commands that we "entertain" Christians but you will find many verses describing the good fellowship of the early church when they came together to do the work of the church. 

This misunderstanding or deliberate wrong emphasis on "fellowship" in

Acts 2:42-47

is at the root of how so many groups have lost their way.  There are those today that will tell you that the primary if not only focus of groups is to have fellowship and therefore build community.  I would submit, however, that a close examination of the scripture here reflects that the fellowship resulted form God's people coming together to carry on God's mission and that when they did the work of the church--great fellowship resulted.  It is true that fellowship is vital but it grows out of a loving body of believers having their eyes and hearts focused on God.  I do not mean to imply that someone working on helping the groups to have fellowship such as planning a meeting time, providing a meeting place or notifying members of the gathering  are not doing a valuable service in the church.  However, I DO MEAN TO IMPLY FELLOWSHIP IS NOT THE FOCUS OF THE GROUPS MINISTRY but rather the results of an effective and correctly focused ministry!

Once a Sunday School or groups ministry understands this critical difference it is much easier to begin focusing your members on what is truly important in the work of our Lord, that is reaching people with the message of good news to man kind and then discipling them.

The single most important growth tool is small groups!

Every church leader wants to see his church growth numerically and spiritually.  Small groups are the best and most consistent tool a church can use to achieve these goals.  For over 200 years churdh leaders  have called their small groups Sunday School but today there is a seeming mad rush to rename and redefine this age old proven growth tool.  Personally I prefer Sunday School but in reallity it doesn't matter what you call it as long as you have specific understanding and application of SG growth principles. 

Join in and lets explore the best way to employ this powerful tool  Remember "Sunday School hasn't quit working...we've quit working Sunday School."