What does it mean to “go deeper” in our teaching. We know it isn’t using big words or excessive details. It isn’t teaching a seminar-type lesson with a few proof-texts thrown in to make it sound spiritual. It isn’t being mystical or using syrupy emotionalism. It isn’t forced symbolism or spiritualizing a text to say something it was not intended to say. But what does it mean? Let me offer a few thoughts on the subject.
Going deeper is meeting with Jesus and allowing Him to transform our lives. It is reading and teaching the text with the intent of having an encounter with Him. It is expecting and experiencing Him speak to us through the Bible passage. It is helping our class members to see Jesus Christ and the overall redemptive plan of God to save those who call upon the Lord in faith. As Jesus speaks to us from the passage it will almost certainly result in a change of motivation, thinking and/or behavior in our lives. As Jesus speaks through His Word, it will almost certainly call us to being on mission with Him in some specific way and spark thoughts on specific action-steps, as the Holy Spirit prompts and motivates us. All this without ever explaining the 12 different ways a certain Greek word is used!
Going deeper is discovery of those things in God’s Word that set Christianity apart from any other belief system. As Jesus spoke to the two disciples walking to Emmaus after the resurrection, He used every major section of Old Testament to point to Himself! As we study the Passover, we see Jesus and His plan of salvation. As we teach about the Ark of Noah, we see Jesus providing a shelter from the wrath of God. As we meditate on the coronation of King Solomon, we see a picture of crowning Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. As we explain the various prophecies of the Bible, we give understanding as to each one relates to God’s overall plan of salvation and provision of forgiveness. Our teaching of the Old Testament should be different that what is taught in a synagogue, because we know Jesus is the Messiah! Our teaching of the New Testament should be different than what is taught by the Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses, because we know the identity of Jesus and we have an understanding of the Triune nature of God.
Going deeper is allowing the Lord to use His word to examine and search our lives for sin and hindrances to a closer walk with Him. If I am reading the Word and noticing what others ought to be doing, there is a real good chance that I am not going deeper at all. In the Prodigal Son story, there is the Elder Brother who illustrates the problem. We must read the Word with a sincere request that the Holy Spirit use it to examine our deepest motives. Paul told Timothy that the Word should teach me, rebuke me, correct me and instruct me in righteousness. If I see only how the Bible rebukes others, I have a severe case of immature, spiritual near-sightedness.
Going deeper is connecting spiritual applications to the work of Jesus Christ. Paul often demonstrated this. He told husbands, not just to love their wives, but to love their wives as Christ loved the church. He instructed servants to serve their overseers as they would serve the Lord. He taught wives to honor their husbands as the church honors Jesus. When Peter spoke to pastors about their ministry, he related it to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. None of the New Testament writers got too far away from the message of the cross in their teaching—it is a good practice for us as well.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Going Deeper in our Bible Teaching—Part One
This may sound strange to you, but I have not always a big fan of “going deeper” in the Sunday School class. I have always felt that we have a tendency to teach over the heads of most of our people as it is. People are not as deep in the Word as we imagine them to be. And if we are reaching new people in the classroom on a regular basis, we need to “keep some of the cookies on the lower shelf” for people newer to the faith. I am also a little suspicious of what people mean by “going deeper.” I’d like to write a couple of articles about this so stay tuned for part two, but let me begin today by looking at what we do not mean by going deeper in our teaching.
Going deeper is not using bigger words and providing more information. I have heard it said that a scholar can make a simple idea sound complex, but a good communicator can make a complex idea sound simple. I’d rather be a good communicator than to try to impress people with my 50-cent words and my profound vocabulary. And do we really need to spend more than two-thirds of the class time talking about all the details of the Egyptian religious belief system in order to teach how God demonstrated His great power over the Egyptians during the exodus in the days of Moses? We may learn a lot of interesting things in our preparation of the lesson, but not all of it will be useful in the classroom. A few interesting facts can go a long way to improve your lesson and avoid boredom, and at times we do need to use important theological words to communicate spiritual truths, but information overload is not going deeper.
Going deeper is not becoming a biblical guidance counselor. I have been to seminars and conferences where the teacher doesn’t really teach the Bible, but rather sprinkles in a few verses here and there to back up their opinions and advice on how Christians ought to think, feel or live. Don’t get me wrong. I do believe every Bible lesson needs to have clear points of application to our lives, but these practical applications should come out of the Bible text. The difference is our starting point. If we start with a point of advice and then look for a way to make the Bible fit our preconceived insight, we have done a disservice to God’s Word and to our students. It is not our goal to merely help people to have strong self-esteem and to be nice to others. The goal of spiritual maturity is to become like Christ and to become biblical Christians.
Going deeper is not making the Bible or spiritual truth sound mystical. A person in our church recently shared with me how a relative gave her a special stone that had been prayed over and that holding on to this stone was supposed to bring blessings. She kindly replied that she didn’t need a prayer stone, because she could go straight to the solid rock of Jesus Christ! I have also heard people doing something similar with prayer cloths and “blessed” oil or water. This is more like superstition than something deeply spiritual. People who make the Bible sound like an episode of the Twilight Zone are not going deeper—they are just being weird.
Going deeper is not spiritualizing a passage or turning it into a metaphor. One example of spiritualizing I have heard was when a preacher used Acts 27:29 as his text. It says there that the sailors dropped four anchors to avoid some rocky places. And so the rocky places became the trials of life and the dangers of sin and he turned the four anchors into the anchor of prayer, the anchor of church attendance, etc. Some may think this is deeper teaching, but it is not. In fact if we are true to the text, the sailors later are seen casting off the anchors (vs. 40)—that really causes problems with a lesson that turns biblical details into metaphors for life.
Going deeper is not using bigger words and providing more information. I have heard it said that a scholar can make a simple idea sound complex, but a good communicator can make a complex idea sound simple. I’d rather be a good communicator than to try to impress people with my 50-cent words and my profound vocabulary. And do we really need to spend more than two-thirds of the class time talking about all the details of the Egyptian religious belief system in order to teach how God demonstrated His great power over the Egyptians during the exodus in the days of Moses? We may learn a lot of interesting things in our preparation of the lesson, but not all of it will be useful in the classroom. A few interesting facts can go a long way to improve your lesson and avoid boredom, and at times we do need to use important theological words to communicate spiritual truths, but information overload is not going deeper.
Going deeper is not becoming a biblical guidance counselor. I have been to seminars and conferences where the teacher doesn’t really teach the Bible, but rather sprinkles in a few verses here and there to back up their opinions and advice on how Christians ought to think, feel or live. Don’t get me wrong. I do believe every Bible lesson needs to have clear points of application to our lives, but these practical applications should come out of the Bible text. The difference is our starting point. If we start with a point of advice and then look for a way to make the Bible fit our preconceived insight, we have done a disservice to God’s Word and to our students. It is not our goal to merely help people to have strong self-esteem and to be nice to others. The goal of spiritual maturity is to become like Christ and to become biblical Christians.
Going deeper is not making the Bible or spiritual truth sound mystical. A person in our church recently shared with me how a relative gave her a special stone that had been prayed over and that holding on to this stone was supposed to bring blessings. She kindly replied that she didn’t need a prayer stone, because she could go straight to the solid rock of Jesus Christ! I have also heard people doing something similar with prayer cloths and “blessed” oil or water. This is more like superstition than something deeply spiritual. People who make the Bible sound like an episode of the Twilight Zone are not going deeper—they are just being weird.
Going deeper is not spiritualizing a passage or turning it into a metaphor. One example of spiritualizing I have heard was when a preacher used Acts 27:29 as his text. It says there that the sailors dropped four anchors to avoid some rocky places. And so the rocky places became the trials of life and the dangers of sin and he turned the four anchors into the anchor of prayer, the anchor of church attendance, etc. Some may think this is deeper teaching, but it is not. In fact if we are true to the text, the sailors later are seen casting off the anchors (vs. 40)—that really causes problems with a lesson that turns biblical details into metaphors for life.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
What Sunday School Leaders Do
In my experience working with various Sunday Schools across Ohio and other states, it has become clear to me that many Sunday Schools and Sunday School classes have been working on autopilot for many years. There are people serving in many Sunday Schools who are content to manage the status quo. There is little effort to reach new people or grow the ministry. In fact, I have run into some who reject the idea that the mission of the Sunday School is to reach new people for Christ.
I’ve had teachers in other churches openly reject the idea that a Sunday School leader has any responsibility when it comes to the spiritual growth, the numerical growth and the ministry of their class. It has been said, “It is my job to grow the class deeper, and it is God’s job to grow the class larger.” While that may sound deep, and even a little spiritual, it simply isn’t true! There is no biblical basis for such a comment. It has been my experience that the difference between a growing Sunday School and a stagnant one is the willingness of pastors, teachers and workers to accept responsibility in three key areas. It’s what Sunday School leaders do.
Accept responsibility for the maturity of the class. I have discovered along the way that I cannot force anyone to grow up as a Christian. Some folks decide to remain spiritual babes no matter what we do or say. I can, however, do my part to provide an environment for growth. Anyone who has ever had a garden understands the concept. Only God can make the plants grow, mature and bear fruit. But when the gardener gives time and effort to prepare the soil, provide a safe, sunny spot and water the plants regularly, the Lord is much more likely to grow the seedlings into healthy, reproducing plants. As Sunday School leaders, we are to provide regular prayer, biblical, interesting teaching and a personal interest in the spiritual growth of our enrollees.
Accept responsibility for the ministry of the class. Each Christian has been given spiritual gifts and abilities in order to minister to one another in the church. Each Christian is also called to be on mission with God in various ways. A leader doesn’t wait for someone else to get the class involved in ministry to one another. If an enrollee is sick, a leader takes action to meet the need. If a member has been absent, a leader initiates involvement in the absentee’s life. Waiting for someone else to do the ministry usually means someone “falls through the cracks” and they eventually stop attending.
Accept responsibility for the growth of the class. Growth is not a matter of luck or some mystical blessing. Of course only God can save and bring spiritual development to a person, and there are things beyond a teacher’s control like job transfers, illnesses and people relocating to another town or state. But God blesses the hard work of outreach, a good spirit in the class and competent teaching. These are things a Sunday School leader can influence. When we do our part, we can confidently trust the Lord to do His part.
I realize it is difficult to accept these responsibilities as a Sunday School leader. There is a lot depending on the success of your class. I am reminded of James 3:1 that says, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” Sometimes it is easier to let someone else carry the burden of responsibility, but then again, there is nothing quite so fulfilling as seeing God use you to impact lives for His glory. Thank you for serving and accepting the task the Lord has given you.
I’ve had teachers in other churches openly reject the idea that a Sunday School leader has any responsibility when it comes to the spiritual growth, the numerical growth and the ministry of their class. It has been said, “It is my job to grow the class deeper, and it is God’s job to grow the class larger.” While that may sound deep, and even a little spiritual, it simply isn’t true! There is no biblical basis for such a comment. It has been my experience that the difference between a growing Sunday School and a stagnant one is the willingness of pastors, teachers and workers to accept responsibility in three key areas. It’s what Sunday School leaders do.
Accept responsibility for the maturity of the class. I have discovered along the way that I cannot force anyone to grow up as a Christian. Some folks decide to remain spiritual babes no matter what we do or say. I can, however, do my part to provide an environment for growth. Anyone who has ever had a garden understands the concept. Only God can make the plants grow, mature and bear fruit. But when the gardener gives time and effort to prepare the soil, provide a safe, sunny spot and water the plants regularly, the Lord is much more likely to grow the seedlings into healthy, reproducing plants. As Sunday School leaders, we are to provide regular prayer, biblical, interesting teaching and a personal interest in the spiritual growth of our enrollees.
Accept responsibility for the ministry of the class. Each Christian has been given spiritual gifts and abilities in order to minister to one another in the church. Each Christian is also called to be on mission with God in various ways. A leader doesn’t wait for someone else to get the class involved in ministry to one another. If an enrollee is sick, a leader takes action to meet the need. If a member has been absent, a leader initiates involvement in the absentee’s life. Waiting for someone else to do the ministry usually means someone “falls through the cracks” and they eventually stop attending.
Accept responsibility for the growth of the class. Growth is not a matter of luck or some mystical blessing. Of course only God can save and bring spiritual development to a person, and there are things beyond a teacher’s control like job transfers, illnesses and people relocating to another town or state. But God blesses the hard work of outreach, a good spirit in the class and competent teaching. These are things a Sunday School leader can influence. When we do our part, we can confidently trust the Lord to do His part.
I realize it is difficult to accept these responsibilities as a Sunday School leader. There is a lot depending on the success of your class. I am reminded of James 3:1 that says, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” Sometimes it is easier to let someone else carry the burden of responsibility, but then again, there is nothing quite so fulfilling as seeing God use you to impact lives for His glory. Thank you for serving and accepting the task the Lord has given you.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Church Leadership: Is it a Position or a Role Assignment?
I once heard about a lady who was given the ministry opportunity to direct the choir in her local church. She was obviously one of the most talented singers in the church and she knew it. She had experience directing choirs in college and she had taken formal training in conducting. She really knew her stuff and the Nominating Committee and the pastor were certain that they had the right person for the position.
It was clear after the first choir rehearsal however, that problems were on the horizon. Several people quit the choir after the first 15 minutes. The director had announced that anyone who could not read music should not be in the choir. After they left the room, she told the choir that she expected them to never miss a practice unless it was for a vacation (she expected two-week’s notice), an illness or a death in the family. She expected some of the sopranos to sing alto for the good of the choir and then made some unkind comments about their limited vocal range when they tried singing the new part. She pointed out several men in the bass section were slouching and rebuked some of the tenors for being a little flat on the high notes.
When Sunday came around, she was shocked to find that she only had three choir members left to lead in Sunday morning worship! She told the pastor after the service that the choir had let her down and she was appalled that people were not more committed to the Lord’s work. She was certain that he had been pastoring a bunch of carnal Christians and if he had preached more “hard sermons” on commitment and dedication, people would not be so weak in their walk with God and she would still have a choir. Then she promptly resigned her position.
Many people are under the delusion that in the church, we minister from a “position of authority” rather than from a role assignment that we have been entrusted with by God and others. Someone who sees their ministry as a position has certain expectations. He expects people to follow because of his position. If he is ever challenged, he points others to his position and informs them that if they do not submit to his leadership, they must have a spiritual issue.
When we realize that God has called us to be servant-leaders rather than positional leaders, we begin to see ourselves in a role assignment rather than as an authority figure. We see others as equals, and we become more sensitive and understanding of their needs, feelings and even criticisms. We seek to build relationships with the people we lead and seek to understand what makes them tick.
As you serve your class in the role-assignment of a Sunday School teacher, seek to build strong bonds with the people to whom you minister. It is a special privilege to share the Word of God with people on a weekly basis, don’t take it lightly. They volunteer to show up every week to experience your teaching. Let me encourage you to express your gratefulness to them on a regular basis. They follow your example in service and ministry to the Lord. Be sure to communicate your love for them. The best Sunday School teachers know that it is their love for the people that they lead that motivates them to follow and keep wanting to attend. It keeps the people of your class eager to participate in the work of the Sunday School.
It was clear after the first choir rehearsal however, that problems were on the horizon. Several people quit the choir after the first 15 minutes. The director had announced that anyone who could not read music should not be in the choir. After they left the room, she told the choir that she expected them to never miss a practice unless it was for a vacation (she expected two-week’s notice), an illness or a death in the family. She expected some of the sopranos to sing alto for the good of the choir and then made some unkind comments about their limited vocal range when they tried singing the new part. She pointed out several men in the bass section were slouching and rebuked some of the tenors for being a little flat on the high notes.
When Sunday came around, she was shocked to find that she only had three choir members left to lead in Sunday morning worship! She told the pastor after the service that the choir had let her down and she was appalled that people were not more committed to the Lord’s work. She was certain that he had been pastoring a bunch of carnal Christians and if he had preached more “hard sermons” on commitment and dedication, people would not be so weak in their walk with God and she would still have a choir. Then she promptly resigned her position.
Many people are under the delusion that in the church, we minister from a “position of authority” rather than from a role assignment that we have been entrusted with by God and others. Someone who sees their ministry as a position has certain expectations. He expects people to follow because of his position. If he is ever challenged, he points others to his position and informs them that if they do not submit to his leadership, they must have a spiritual issue.
When we realize that God has called us to be servant-leaders rather than positional leaders, we begin to see ourselves in a role assignment rather than as an authority figure. We see others as equals, and we become more sensitive and understanding of their needs, feelings and even criticisms. We seek to build relationships with the people we lead and seek to understand what makes them tick.
As you serve your class in the role-assignment of a Sunday School teacher, seek to build strong bonds with the people to whom you minister. It is a special privilege to share the Word of God with people on a weekly basis, don’t take it lightly. They volunteer to show up every week to experience your teaching. Let me encourage you to express your gratefulness to them on a regular basis. They follow your example in service and ministry to the Lord. Be sure to communicate your love for them. The best Sunday School teachers know that it is their love for the people that they lead that motivates them to follow and keep wanting to attend. It keeps the people of your class eager to participate in the work of the Sunday School.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Value of Enthusiasm
“…not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).
Someone has said that a bumble bee’s stinger is only one sixteenth of an inch long—the rest of what you feel is enthusiasm. The thesaurus indicates that the word “enthusiasm” is related to words like “passion,” “zeal,” “fervor” and “eagerness.” The opposite of enthusiasm would be apathy. The Dictionary defines “Enthusiasm” as “passionate interest in or eagerness to do something.” The Bible uses the words “fervent in spirit” to describe a believer’s zeal for the work of the Lord. Is enthusiasm really that important for a Sunday School Teacher?
Imagine going out for the football team and before the first practice the coach calls you over for a little speech:
Okay, gang; there is something I need to tell you all. All of our seniors have graduated last year, leaving us with nothing but you rookies. Our schedule is the worst we have ever faced. I doubt we can score this year, much less win a game. Our uniforms have holes in them and because of budget cuts, you all have to wear last year’s hand me downs. Don’t expect any encouragement from the band, either. The conductor is refusing to lead the band because he feels football is too violent a sport. Our cheerleaders can’t cheer, our pep rallies have no pep, our water boy ran out of water and our boosters have all quit. I wouldn’t blame you if you all walked out that door; in fact, I might be quitting soon myself. But thanks for coming out for the team. Now let’s get out there in the 90 degree heat and practice!
Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Would you be any more thrilled about going to a church without sensing passion and zeal there for the things of God? How would you feel about visiting a Sunday School class with a teacher who started off the lesson with this:
Well, gang; I didn’t have time to prepare this week so I can’t give you any interesting background for the text. I have not looked for good illustrations or prepared any class activities. In fact I’m not even sure what the text is. Good thing I have this quarterly I can read out of. We aren’t going to sing anything today because Jane is mad at me just because I criticized the Pastor in class last week. I’m not sure why she is so thin-skinned. She should be more mature and understand the value of a rebuke, even if her husband is part of our lazy Deacon Body. We have some doughnuts left over from last week if anyone wants them. By the way, you all will need to go in with the Mixed 2 class for the next four weeks while I’m away on a hunting trip. After that, I might be quitting anyway. It’s just too frustrating teaching a class that doesn’t have any zeal for the Lord. Now, let me start reading this quarterly even though it’s hardly worth the paper it is written on and I’m a lot more spiritual than those LifeWay writers are anyway.
Yes, enthusiasm is important, even vital, for the great work God has called us to do. It isn’t something that can be faked—you know it when a teacher has it—or doesn’t! Romans 12:11 commands us to be fervent in spirit, so we know that all Christians are capable of such zeal. If it is lacking, we must ask God to supply it. Blessed is the Sunday School class that has a teacher who has enthusiasm for the lesson as well as the ministry of the class. Boredom is not an option!
Someone has said that a bumble bee’s stinger is only one sixteenth of an inch long—the rest of what you feel is enthusiasm. The thesaurus indicates that the word “enthusiasm” is related to words like “passion,” “zeal,” “fervor” and “eagerness.” The opposite of enthusiasm would be apathy. The Dictionary defines “Enthusiasm” as “passionate interest in or eagerness to do something.” The Bible uses the words “fervent in spirit” to describe a believer’s zeal for the work of the Lord. Is enthusiasm really that important for a Sunday School Teacher?
Imagine going out for the football team and before the first practice the coach calls you over for a little speech:
Okay, gang; there is something I need to tell you all. All of our seniors have graduated last year, leaving us with nothing but you rookies. Our schedule is the worst we have ever faced. I doubt we can score this year, much less win a game. Our uniforms have holes in them and because of budget cuts, you all have to wear last year’s hand me downs. Don’t expect any encouragement from the band, either. The conductor is refusing to lead the band because he feels football is too violent a sport. Our cheerleaders can’t cheer, our pep rallies have no pep, our water boy ran out of water and our boosters have all quit. I wouldn’t blame you if you all walked out that door; in fact, I might be quitting soon myself. But thanks for coming out for the team. Now let’s get out there in the 90 degree heat and practice!
Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Would you be any more thrilled about going to a church without sensing passion and zeal there for the things of God? How would you feel about visiting a Sunday School class with a teacher who started off the lesson with this:
Well, gang; I didn’t have time to prepare this week so I can’t give you any interesting background for the text. I have not looked for good illustrations or prepared any class activities. In fact I’m not even sure what the text is. Good thing I have this quarterly I can read out of. We aren’t going to sing anything today because Jane is mad at me just because I criticized the Pastor in class last week. I’m not sure why she is so thin-skinned. She should be more mature and understand the value of a rebuke, even if her husband is part of our lazy Deacon Body. We have some doughnuts left over from last week if anyone wants them. By the way, you all will need to go in with the Mixed 2 class for the next four weeks while I’m away on a hunting trip. After that, I might be quitting anyway. It’s just too frustrating teaching a class that doesn’t have any zeal for the Lord. Now, let me start reading this quarterly even though it’s hardly worth the paper it is written on and I’m a lot more spiritual than those LifeWay writers are anyway.
Yes, enthusiasm is important, even vital, for the great work God has called us to do. It isn’t something that can be faked—you know it when a teacher has it—or doesn’t! Romans 12:11 commands us to be fervent in spirit, so we know that all Christians are capable of such zeal. If it is lacking, we must ask God to supply it. Blessed is the Sunday School class that has a teacher who has enthusiasm for the lesson as well as the ministry of the class. Boredom is not an option!
Monday, October 31, 2011
What about Political Issues in Sunday School?
As a teacher of the Word of God it is no doubt that you have begun to establish certain beliefs and convictions based upon the Word of God. It is also certain that your biblical beliefs and convictions will guide you in your personal stands and decisions on political issues. As a Sunday School teacher it is also imperative that we create an atmosphere in the classroom in which people of all political parties can hear the gospel and be reached and discipled for Christ. Finding good balance can be difficult, but absolutely necessary, especially during seasons of political emphasis. I hope the following will help us walk this difficult tightrope.
First, we should distinguish between political and moral issues. It is easy to fall into a trap these days. The politician refuses to take a clear stand on an issue because it is considered a “personal moral issue,” while church leaders are afraid to make statements because the issue is considered “political” in nature. Clearly there is a difference between abortion, for example, and how much is spent on the public radio. Every issue is not a deep moral issue. Even well-respected Bible heroes had differing opinions at times and we need to allow for that in our discussions as well.
God has worked through various forms of government for millennia. When Jesus returns, it will not be a democracy or a republic, but a monarchy ruled by the King of kings! He has not specified which American political party is His favorite. The Bible is clear, however, on the value of human life, on honesty, corruption, homo-sexuality, adultery, compassion for widows, etc. When the Bible speaks to these moral issues, we must do likewise.
Second, we should be respectful. We cannot shirk our responsibility to teach what the Bible says about social issues, but we must do so while demonstrating proper respect for those in positions of government authority. The Bible teaches us to have a submissive, respectful spirit for our government leaders whether we voted for them or not! There is no need to tell politically charged jokes in class. We can literally be in violation of Scripture while attempting to defend a biblical cause.
Third, as we teach on sensitive issues, it is important to do so in love and humility. I’m not suggesting the “political correctness” of today’s media needs to be applied to the Sunday School class, but it is important to realize that someone in your class may be dealing with the pain and guilt of a past abortion. Someone in your class may have a close relative that has chosen an immoral lifestyle. It simply is an act of kindness to avoid slang terms that are needlessly offensive when teaching God’s truth on a potentially painful topic.
Finally, it is also important that our church is not seen as endorsing a certain candidate for office. The mission of the church is to reach and disciple people for Christ, not to promote a political ideology. In addition, there are laws in place that threaten our tax-exempt status if we practice such political endorsements. We can provide comparisons on the issues, but we cannot endorse the candidate. Throughout Bible times, Believers learned to deal with various forms and practices of government without compromising the message, and we need to do the same today.
For me the biggest issue is evangelism. As we teach the class God has entrusted to us, we want everyone in attendance to know that we are there to learn God’s Word and deepen our relationship with Him. It is certain that some will want to talk politics at times, but it really isn’t that difficult to get the class back on track when the people hear a gentle reminder of what we are really there to do. We want everyone to know our Lord Jesus Christ regardless of their political preferences and we as teachers are responsible to “keep the main thing, the main thing!”
First, we should distinguish between political and moral issues. It is easy to fall into a trap these days. The politician refuses to take a clear stand on an issue because it is considered a “personal moral issue,” while church leaders are afraid to make statements because the issue is considered “political” in nature. Clearly there is a difference between abortion, for example, and how much is spent on the public radio. Every issue is not a deep moral issue. Even well-respected Bible heroes had differing opinions at times and we need to allow for that in our discussions as well.
God has worked through various forms of government for millennia. When Jesus returns, it will not be a democracy or a republic, but a monarchy ruled by the King of kings! He has not specified which American political party is His favorite. The Bible is clear, however, on the value of human life, on honesty, corruption, homo-sexuality, adultery, compassion for widows, etc. When the Bible speaks to these moral issues, we must do likewise.
Second, we should be respectful. We cannot shirk our responsibility to teach what the Bible says about social issues, but we must do so while demonstrating proper respect for those in positions of government authority. The Bible teaches us to have a submissive, respectful spirit for our government leaders whether we voted for them or not! There is no need to tell politically charged jokes in class. We can literally be in violation of Scripture while attempting to defend a biblical cause.
Third, as we teach on sensitive issues, it is important to do so in love and humility. I’m not suggesting the “political correctness” of today’s media needs to be applied to the Sunday School class, but it is important to realize that someone in your class may be dealing with the pain and guilt of a past abortion. Someone in your class may have a close relative that has chosen an immoral lifestyle. It simply is an act of kindness to avoid slang terms that are needlessly offensive when teaching God’s truth on a potentially painful topic.
Finally, it is also important that our church is not seen as endorsing a certain candidate for office. The mission of the church is to reach and disciple people for Christ, not to promote a political ideology. In addition, there are laws in place that threaten our tax-exempt status if we practice such political endorsements. We can provide comparisons on the issues, but we cannot endorse the candidate. Throughout Bible times, Believers learned to deal with various forms and practices of government without compromising the message, and we need to do the same today.
For me the biggest issue is evangelism. As we teach the class God has entrusted to us, we want everyone in attendance to know that we are there to learn God’s Word and deepen our relationship with Him. It is certain that some will want to talk politics at times, but it really isn’t that difficult to get the class back on track when the people hear a gentle reminder of what we are really there to do. We want everyone to know our Lord Jesus Christ regardless of their political preferences and we as teachers are responsible to “keep the main thing, the main thing!”
Monday, October 17, 2011
Sharing the Gospel in Your Sunday School Class
A mother was teaching her daughter how to cook a roast one day. She prepared the roasting pan, heated the oven, prepared the meat and then cut off an inch or so off each end of the roast and placed it in the large pan. The daughter asked, “Why do you have to cut a little off each end of the meat like that?” The mother said, “I really don’t know. I’ll have to ask your grandmother.”
During the next family reunion the mom and daughter asked grandmother why they had to cut a little off the roast before cooking it. Grandma replied, “I don’t know. My mom taught me to do that to my roasts and I never knew why. Let’s go ask her.” So they all gathered around the great-grandmother who was taking it easy in a lawn chair. They asked the question they all were curious about. The great-grandmother chuckled and replied, “Well I used to always cut off the ends so the roast would fit in my little roasting pan. It was always an inch or two too short it seemed. I don’t do it anymore because roasting pans are a lot bigger nowadays!”
Well, I guess it is easy to get trapped into doing things a certain way, even when we really don’t know why. I have heard of churches that only give an invitation on Easter and during the fall revival. I suspect that if you asked why, you might get a “roasting pan” kind of answer. Well, here is a question I want us to consider—why don’t we give an invitation in our Sunday School classes? It only makes sense that in our classes, third grade through adulthood, we would occasionally present the gospel and give some kind of invitation to trust Christ.
I think it would be a good rule of thumb to share the gospel and lead the class in a sinner’s prayer at least once a quarter. Usually there is at least one lesson that really focuses on having a personal relationship with Christ. Why not present the gospel, give your personal testimony and lead your class in a prayer to invite Jesus into their lives? It certainly wouldn’t hurt saved people to hear the gospel again, and the lost people in your class need to be challenged to trust Christ.
When sharing the gospel you can share five simple truths. First explain that God loves them (John 3:16). Then explain the problem of sin (Romans 3:23 and 6:23). Third, explain that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is God’s solution to our sin problem (Romans 5:8). After that, explain that everyone needs to personally repent of their sin and place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19 and Ephesians 2:9-10). Finally, encourage them to call upon the Lord to save them. (Romans 10:13). After you lead them in a simply prayer of faith, encourage those who trusted Christ to go forward during the church service and share what they have done with the pastor. You don’t have to put any one person on the spot; you simply offer the information as a reminder to the entire class. You could even use a tract for the entire class and afterwards, encourage them to share it with someone in the next 48 hours. Tracts are available in the foyer.
Even if you think that all your attenders are saved, it would be a good thing for you to present the gospel in this way. Your attenders will know that you care about them and the spiritual condition of the people in the class, and they will see and hear you model how easy it is to lead others to Christ. They may even wish to use your example as they witness to their friends, family and neighbors. As Sunday School teachers, we are concerned about the salvation of our enrollees and prospects. Of course, we will offer an invitation during the worship service as we always do. But your gospel focus in the classroom is extremely important—even if it has always been done another way.
During the next family reunion the mom and daughter asked grandmother why they had to cut a little off the roast before cooking it. Grandma replied, “I don’t know. My mom taught me to do that to my roasts and I never knew why. Let’s go ask her.” So they all gathered around the great-grandmother who was taking it easy in a lawn chair. They asked the question they all were curious about. The great-grandmother chuckled and replied, “Well I used to always cut off the ends so the roast would fit in my little roasting pan. It was always an inch or two too short it seemed. I don’t do it anymore because roasting pans are a lot bigger nowadays!”
Well, I guess it is easy to get trapped into doing things a certain way, even when we really don’t know why. I have heard of churches that only give an invitation on Easter and during the fall revival. I suspect that if you asked why, you might get a “roasting pan” kind of answer. Well, here is a question I want us to consider—why don’t we give an invitation in our Sunday School classes? It only makes sense that in our classes, third grade through adulthood, we would occasionally present the gospel and give some kind of invitation to trust Christ.
I think it would be a good rule of thumb to share the gospel and lead the class in a sinner’s prayer at least once a quarter. Usually there is at least one lesson that really focuses on having a personal relationship with Christ. Why not present the gospel, give your personal testimony and lead your class in a prayer to invite Jesus into their lives? It certainly wouldn’t hurt saved people to hear the gospel again, and the lost people in your class need to be challenged to trust Christ.
When sharing the gospel you can share five simple truths. First explain that God loves them (John 3:16). Then explain the problem of sin (Romans 3:23 and 6:23). Third, explain that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is God’s solution to our sin problem (Romans 5:8). After that, explain that everyone needs to personally repent of their sin and place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19 and Ephesians 2:9-10). Finally, encourage them to call upon the Lord to save them. (Romans 10:13). After you lead them in a simply prayer of faith, encourage those who trusted Christ to go forward during the church service and share what they have done with the pastor. You don’t have to put any one person on the spot; you simply offer the information as a reminder to the entire class. You could even use a tract for the entire class and afterwards, encourage them to share it with someone in the next 48 hours. Tracts are available in the foyer.
Even if you think that all your attenders are saved, it would be a good thing for you to present the gospel in this way. Your attenders will know that you care about them and the spiritual condition of the people in the class, and they will see and hear you model how easy it is to lead others to Christ. They may even wish to use your example as they witness to their friends, family and neighbors. As Sunday School teachers, we are concerned about the salvation of our enrollees and prospects. Of course, we will offer an invitation during the worship service as we always do. But your gospel focus in the classroom is extremely important—even if it has always been done another way.
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