Compiled by Jim Elliott
Altamaha / New Sunbury
Adult
Sunday
School Work
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God’s Word
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Adult
Sunday School
Leadership
Job
Descriptions
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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.
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Department
Director:
 Discover and enlist other department leaders.
 Monitor the process of assimilating
new members.
 Lead the department on
Sunday morning.
 Lead the planning time for the department at
worker's meetings.
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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.
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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.
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Class OutreachEvangelism 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.
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Class Secretary:
 Responsible to the
teacher for compiling
and reporting class
membership records.
 Give class records to
the Department
Secretary or Sunday
School Secretary.
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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.
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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.
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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.
How To Keep
Adults
Coming To
Sunday
School
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God’s Word
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
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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
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Teach
Dynamically
 Be thoroughly prepared
 Know how your people




learn
Use interactive
experiences
Encourage learners
Create a good learning
environment
Use different teaching
techniques
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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!
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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”
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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 aren’t being enrolled in our class.
. We have more prospects for our class than we have members.
. More members are absent than are attending.
. Our members feel the class doesn’t need to grow because they don’t know
everyone who is attending now.
. Active members can miss more than two weeks in a row and not be missed.
. People drift in and out of the class and no one in the class notices.
Using A
Prospect File
to Reach Adults
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Planning For
Follow-up
 Share information about
the unchurched with FAITH
or another Evangelistic team.
 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.
How
To
Teach
Adults
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God’s Word
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
North”—Jesus Christ Himself.
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•
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.”
All people need to change. You should be changing as you study
God’s Word just as those you teach should change . . Be
transformed.
How can we know change is taking place? James 1:22-25 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? . .
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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 6:40).
A disciple is a pupil or learner.
To be someone’s disciple suggests
a total commitment to stay close to,
learn from, and obey the person
chosen as one’s teacher.
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•
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. 2:2).
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-thejob training.
If you don’t mentor them, who will?
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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 12:26).
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!
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How would you
describe . . .
. . . an EXCELLENT teaching
session?
. . . an ENTHUSIASTIC Bible
learner?
. . . a DYNAMIC Bible Teacher?
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We teach adults to bring
about changes in . . .
 Knowledge
 Understanding
 Attitude
 Skill
It’s a
“vicious
circle”
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Building a base
for learning by …
 Processing new
information.
 Assimilating
new information.
 Reviewing that
which is already
known.
*
Skill
Attitude
Understanding
Knowledge
Instant Replay
What One
Thing have
we learned
thus far?
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People learn by ...
Hearing
Seeing
Doing
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Note:
 No two people
learn in exactly
the same way.
 Our teaching
needs to
address their
learning styles.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How DO they learn?
 Talk about the unique learning styles
of the people you teach on Sunday
morning.
 Talk about YOUR learning style.
Instant Replay
What One Other
Thing have we
learned thus
far?
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Choosing the Best
Teaching Method…
 Listening or
Observing Methods
 Verbal Methods
 Writing Methods
 Activity Methods
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Learn Biblical Truth
Content:
What does the Bible Passage say?
Concept:
What is the meaning of the Biblical truth
from the Bible passage?
Context:
How does the meaning of the biblical
truth relate to the learner’s life
context?
Conduct:
What changes in personal conduct
should result from applying the
Biblical truth?
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Developing Contemporary
Teaching Styles
 Study the Scripture
thoroughly.
 Decide what you want
to accomplish.
 Start early.
 Use your imagination.
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Developing Contemporary
Teaching Styles
 Enlist people to
help you.
 Keep it simple.
 Don’t lose the
message in the
medium.
 Don’t give up.
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How Would You Teach . . .
2 Timothy 4:7 …
“I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the
course, I have kept the faith.”
Instant Replay
What One Final
Thing have we
learned today?
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We’ve 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
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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
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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.
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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?
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Major League Baseball
What do they deliver?
Baseball?
No! They deliver . . .
An experience!
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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.
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God’s Word
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.
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Use PowerPoint
 To create interest
 To focus attention
 To illustrate a
lecture
 To provide a visual
outline
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Study the Bible
 Word search
(Concordance)
 Compare multiple
translations
 On-line Commentaries
 Make your own notes
 Export to Word
Processor
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God’s Word
Search the Internet
 Lifeway Home Page
- Age-group Sites
- Denominational Links
- Educational
Institutions
- SBC Agencies
- State Conventions
- Local Association
- Local Churches
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Search the Internet
 Web Sites
- Publishers and Products
- Specific interest groups
- Christian families
- Missionary Prayer needs
- Training calendars
 Online Helps
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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.
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Use E-mail
 To maintain contact
 To make assignments
- For Class Sessions
- For Ministry
- For Visitation
 To affirm and encourage
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“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
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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
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Use Voice-Mail
 To encourage attendance
 To promote class/church
events
- Class Fellowships
- Church-wide emphases
 To share a brief gospel presentation
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Teach With Technology
 That’s 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”
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God’s Word
Teach With Technology
Don’t 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
st
21
Century
Sunday School
Ministry
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, fellowship,
ministry, and worship.
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Grouping Young
Adults
 18-24
 Collegians
 Young Singles
 Young Marrieds
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Grouping Adults
 25-39
 40-59
 60-74
 75 and Up
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Maximum
Enrollment
 25 per class for Single Gender Classes.
 35 - 40 per class for Co-Ed Classes.
 125 per Department.
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Class Leadership
 Teacher
 Class Coordinator
 Apprentice
 Secretary
 Team Leaders
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Class Team Leader
Leads a team
assigned to
focus attention
on the work of
the class in a
specific church
function area.
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Worship Team
Creates a worshipful
atmosphere, leading
small group worship
experiences, and
encouraging personal
worship in home and
family settings.
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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
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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
church’s 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
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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.
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Ministry Team
Creates an atmosphere in
which members and
prospects can
experience direct care
and concern for life’s
needs.
Identify and implement
ministry and mission
projects that utilize the
gifts and abilities of class
members.
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ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE
From Our Empowerment Team
 Additional Assistance for Sunday
School Leadership Training and etc
is available through this “TEAM”
 Also help from GBC is available
 Almost all of this is at NO COST
 CONTACT THE ASSOCIATIONAL
OFFICE FOR INFORMATION OR TO
SCHEDULE A TRAINING EVENT