Lessons for Life Sunday School lessons (in four volumes with additional visual aid system) are the best-known lesson outlines in book form in the world. This practical manual for the starting, enlargement and operation of children's evangelistic Sunday Schools incorporates years of experience from one who has pioneered Sunday School work in a new town, and has been central for many years to the growth of Britain's largest Sunday School in the heart of London. This manual teems with information and tips which will help small as well as large Schools, but the transparent aim is to encourage the greatest growth possible, in gathering teenagers and children under the sound of the Word.
For many churches the Sunday school can be one of the best vehicles to apply the principles of effective evangelism and assimilation. But also in many churches, the Sunday school must undergo a significant paradigm shift before this occurs. Danny Von Kanel's book is a helpful resource to begin making this shift in your church. Charles "Chip" Arn President, Church Growth Inc. Monrovia, California A strong Sunday school program is a key component of any flourishing church -- and Building Sunday School By The Owner's Design provides a comprehensive toolbox jam-packed with 100 ideas for improving every aspect of your religious education program. Building on the framework of his book Built By The Owner's Design, Danny Von Kanel demonstrates how God's Word offers a proven blueprint for effective outreach and growth -- and he offers you a wide array of practical approaches for making Sunday school the vital centerpiece of a spiritually thriving ministry. Von Kanel discusses the strengths and shortcomings of both traditional and contemporary "church growth movement" approaches to Sunday school, then points out how following God's design offers a better method for igniting exciting growth. Convenient "Tool Time" and "Tool Resource" sections offer specific steps for implementing these ideas in your church. Building Sunday School By The Owner's Design is an essential resource for pastors, teachers, and other religious professionals -- it offers everything you need to develop a life-changing Sunday school program that produces enthusiastic, deeply committed followers of Christ. Danny Von Kanel has been involved in ministry, freelance writing, and church growth consulting for more than twenty years. He has served congregations in Mississippi, Alabama, and Illinois, and is currently the Minister of Music and Education at First Baptist Church in Franklinton, Louisiana. Von Kanel is the author of Built By The Owner's Design (CSS), and his articles have appeared in numerous church leadership magazines, including Journal of the American Society for Church Growth, Growing Churches, Church Administration, Rev., Ministries Today, Today's Christian Preacher, and many others. He is a graduate of William Carey College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
The issue is church health, not church growth—if your church is healthy, growth will occur naturally. So how do we make healthy churches, driven by purpose? In order for any church to thrive, it must be built around the five New Testament purposes given to the church by Jesus Christ. In this classic of Christian church stability, pastor and bestselling author of The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren unpacks this proven five-part strategy that will enable your church to grow: Warmer through fellowship. Deeper through discipleship. Stronger through worship. Broader through ministry. Larger through evangelism. Every church is driven by something. Tradition, finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Warren will show you how to concentrate on building people and let God build the church. In other words, healthy, consistent growth is the result of balancing the five biblical purposes of the church. And The Purpose Driven Church will show you how to do that. “The Purpose Driven Church has brought focus and direction to more pastors and church leaders than you can count. What a gift!”—John Ortberg, bestselling author.
Churches kick adult Sundayschool to the curb for ahost of reasons: they don'thave enough teachers; they don'twant to burden Sunday schedules;they believe it's a relic of the past.Basically, adult Sunday school isa dinosaur, right? That's why youngchurches often don't have them,and mature churches let them carryon as they've always done.But wait! Do you know whatyou might be missing? What if wecould use it to pack gospel-centeredbiblical content into our congregations?And equip the saintsfor the work of ministry? Andchange our church cultures in everythingfrom dating, to evangelism,to knowing God's will?If we content ourselves with a45 minute Sunday sermon for instructingthe saints, we're lettingthe Friday night movie beat outour time investment into themby double.That's why we wantto push the retro envelope andencourage you to reclaim adultSunday school. If you don't haveit, get it. If you have it, considerhow you might make more of it.
Building Blocks for Sunday School Growth are at your fingertips. These six building blocks: Vision, Balance, Leadership, Relevant Teaching, Receptivity and Inclusion, and Outreach and Inreach, will help you develop an intentional vision and plan for spiritual and numerical growth. The authors contend that failure to pay attention to the infrastructure in these six areas can lead to a decline in the quality of your Sunday school. However, by focusing on these six building blocks, you will re-energize your leaders and allow your Sunday school to grow and develop. As you gain a renewed perspective on the potential of Sunday school, you will notice an increase in energy, both spiritual and numerical. The critics are wrong--Sunday school is not dead! Strengthening these six areas of your organization can lead to a renewed Bible Teaching Ministry. Your Sunday school can grow, and as the Sunday school grows, so, too, will the church.
Included with each chapter are special review questions and application projects to aid in teacher training. Whether you're a full-time church staff member or a lay volunteer, Dr. Elmer Towns' "HOW TO GROW AN EFFECTIVE SUNDAY SCHOOL" can help you achieve greater effectiveness in your Sunday School ministry.
According to the leading church growth expert, Ken Hemphill, Sunday School is not only worth saving, it has the potential to revitalize your entire church. 'Revitalizing The Sunday Morning Dinosaur' gives you specific, detailed steps on how to lead your congregation in making it happen.
Could sharing your faith be the secret to developing your spiritual maturity? For many followers of Jesus, discipleship means doing certain things to deepen our connection with Jesus Christ. But our spiritual growth checklists are often disconnected from the mission of reaching a lost world with the gospel message. Taking a holistic approach that unites evangelism and discipleship, Kevin and Sherry Harney demonstrate how God's plan for our spiritual growth is intimately connected to his mission to the world. In Organic Disciples, the couple lead ordinary followers of Jesus through seven markers of spiritual maturity, showing how simple shifts in our Bible reading, prayer, community life, giving, service, and other biblical practices can connect us with God's work of reaching people with his love. You'll learn: Why true spiritual maturity will always lead believers outward to engage the world with the good news and truth of Jesus. How to overcome the common roadblocks and false narratives that stand in the way of spiritual maturity. How to design a personal pathway of growth to be more like Jesus in character and mission. Along with the Organic Disciples book, churches and individuals can utilize a free, self-directed online tool at OrganicOutreach.com to help each person identify where they are in their growth journey. Also look for eight-session small group curriculum—Organic Disciples Study Guide (9780310139089)—to take congregations and Christians deeper on this journey.
