Sunday School Is Not Just for Children



By Shirley G. Brosius
Special Contributor

At my church, First United Methodist Church, Millersburg, Pa., men and women hurry through our church doors each Sunday morning so they won't miss a minute of their classes. Our elective program has become so popular that half of our Sunday school attendance is made up of adults.

How did we do it? One class at a time!

Sunday school organizers at FUMC Millersburg have found that organization is what's needed to develop a healthy adult program. Here is a step-by-step program based on what we've learned.

Review past history. Each spring review the history of your Sunday school classes, noting which Bible books, topics and contemporary issues could be offered.

Decide on the classes needed. Age-related classes are a must in order to promote fellowship. But talk to adults and you'll find they prefer more options. What to do? Offer the best of both worlds. This year we scheduled classes for young adult singles, young adult couples, families for Christ (mostly "thirty- something" parents), plus five elective courses open to all ages. Adults jump in and out, quarter by quarter, as they wish.

Gather sample curriculum. Throughout the year watch for new adult Sunday school materials on bookstore shelves or in denominational publications, magazine ads, publishers' catalogs, Web sites, etc.

Contact teachers. Add to your pool of adult teachers by noting those leading at a lower age level who might enjoy the challenge of adults. See if new members show the gift of teaching. The busy person who is reluctant to teach may be able to handle a video series. Someone who is experiencing an "empty nest" may be ready to offer a course on parenting teen-agers. A walk through your church directory can turn up new possibilities.

Invite your prospective teachers to review curriculum choices. After they've had a chance to decide which courses appeal to them, have them complete a survey form giving you preferred titles, quarters they are willing to teach, and the type of group they prefer to lead.

I also ask if they prefer to teach alone or "team teach."

Chart your courses. After the meeting divide a large piece of paper into four sections, one for each quarter. With the surveys in hand, list the courses selected by each teacher in the appropriate quarter. I chart the age-related classses on the same level in each block. I also color-code the electives as to Bible book studies, social issues, Christian growth classes, and video courses so that I can see at a glance what adjustments may be needed.

Make adjustments. If you lack sufficient teachers, consider having the same individual lead an age-level class for a quarter (for example, on the Book of Romans) and then offer it as a general elective open to all adults later in the year. Since study time has already been completed for the first presentation, most teachers are glad to get more mileage from their work.

After you've taken these steps, you will have your adult program in place for the upcoming year. Teachers enjoy this system, for they know in advance exactly when and what they are teaching. Their zeal boosts a Sunday school program by creating enthusiastic students, too. Give it a try, and you'll find out that Sunday school is not just for kids!


(Back to Children, Youth, and Adult Sunday School)