By Rev. James Moss

The most effective method of evangelism available to a local church is the intentional formation of new adult Sunday school classes. In fact, significant growth can’t occur without the formation of new adult Sunday school classes. Many strategies of evangelism are being suggested today. But, if the strategy doesn’t include the formation of new small groups, there won’t be long-term growth.

Persons who will become incorporated into the body must have two friends in the church besides the pastor. The term "friend" implies much more than casual acquaintance. Second, they must become part of a face-to-face fellowship group. In this context, they’ll be known by name, feel needed and wanted, and be missed if they’re absent. This kind of bonding occurs most frequently in small groups.

Sunday school classes have four significant purposes: 1) Evangelism. Christ is most effectively communicated through the context of a relationship. The building of relationships promotes the opportunity for conversion to occur. 2) Incorporation. Small groups are the bonding arm of the church. When people are both attending worship and participating in a small group, they’ve become incorporated participants of the body. 3) Fellowship. Our culture promotes loneliness. The church needs to provide fellowship opportunities. It is particularly helpful if food is provided. 4) Instruction. Worship doesn’t provide sufficient instruction for needed spiritual growth. The opportunity to teach and impart knowledge comes through small groups.

Eight Steps To Beginning A New Class:

Target a specific "market" for the new class. The rifle approach is recommended. Pastor John Marsh is starting a new class. When asked for whom the class is being formed, he replies, "It’s for young marrieds under the age of 30, with children, who are currently unchurched, who already know someone in the church, and who live within 15 minutes of the building." That’s focus! The more focused the target group, the more likely a group will succeed.

Identify "prospects" for the new class. Identify sufficient prospects so that 20% of the list will make a viable class. If you want 10 in the group, you will need 50 on your prospect list.

Recruit the best available "teacher/leader." The teacher/leader must be able to relate to the people you’re trying to reach. Many new classes/groups don’t survive because the match isn’t good.

Recruit an "apprentice and a hostess." As soon as the teacher is recruited, that person needs to recruit an apprentice and a host/hostess. Notice the word apprentice. That person is being trained to be a teacher/leader. The teacher, apprentice and hostess should be from different families.

Select the "curriculum." Very simple Bible studies could be used. Life situation studies could also be used.

Allow sufficient "lead-time" to develop a new class. Don’t get in a hurry.

Design a program of "promotion." Use a method called "six sticks." If you wish to get anybody anywhere, you must invite him or her six times. Invite all prospects a minimum of six consecutive weeks prior to the first class/group meeting.

Locate the most "appropriate place" for the new class/group to meet.

Hilltop church decided to begin a new young marrieds adult Sunday school class using the steps just described. The process took four months. They were averaging 80 in Sunday school when the new class began. In a short time, 38 new people were identified as new attenders at Hilltop because of the formation of this class – 20 adults who brought a total of 18 children with them.

(This article appeared in the "Spring, 1996" issue of "The Herald.")