WELCOME Print your name on a nametag using

WELCOME! Print your name on a nametag using a marker pen. What are expectations you have of your Sunday School? Of this training? 1

Read Acts 4: 29 -37 What are priorities (the “core of the matter”) matter that every Sunday School class is to focus on? 2

The “Core of the Matter” for your Sunday School: Pray boldly (4: 29 -30) Assemble expectantly (4: 31) Launch lasting impact (4: 32 -33) Provide for needs (4: 34 -35) Encourager discovered 3 (4: 36 -37)

Great Expectation #1: New people experience great Bible study each week 4

Two extremes Content Community We need a balance 5

Evaluate from different perspectives From perspective of attending members From perspective of Jesus From perspective of non attending members or prospects 6

Evaluate from different perspectives We expect new people each week. Leaders and workers arrive prepared and early. People want to come back and be part of the class. 7

Evaluate from different perspectives People discover and apply God’s Word. The following tools are available and used: Bibles List of names Resources for Bible study Resources for ministry 8

Three significant steps for each Bible study experience: Introduction/Create Interest Encounter God’s Word Bring Closure 9

Three significant teaching and learning methods Questions/answers Stories/illustrations/Object lessons Discussion 10

Mark 4: 13 -20 Mark 4: 26 -32 What are ways Jesus involved His students in each of the three steps of a Bible study experience? Identify how Jesus incorporated teaching methods as He taught. 11

Great Expectation #1: New people experience great Bible study each week. 12

Great Expectation #2: Expect people to say “Yes. ” 13

Rate your class (or your own self) 1 - 10 1 – We seldom do this 10 – We do this all the time 14

Do you expect? How can we build expectations? We invite non members to attend. We invite non members to enroll. We prepare for class. We participate in class. 15

Do you expect? How can we build expectations? We serve within the class We engage care group leaders to respond to members’ needs We engage associate members/missionaries from the class 16

Do you expect? How can we build expectations? We pray for unsaved persons. We participate in training. We distribute literature to members and prospects. We visit (face to face) with prospects. 17

We must get people out of rows and into circles. We must get people out of circles and engaged in service and missions 18

If we could only get members and prospects into rows, how could we affirm our members and be the best class possible? If we could only get members and prospects into circles, how could we affirm our members and be the best class possible? If we could get members and prospects engaged in service and missions, how could we affirm our members and be the best class possible? 19

#3 Expect to Reproduce 20

“That’s part of your problem” “… if you don’t have a list of members” 21

“That’s part of your problem” “… if you don’t have a list of prospects” 22

“That’s part of your problem” “… if you don’t have class socials” 23

What are some things you’ve learned that would help you influence your class to reproduce? 24

Factors for new classes to be started: • At least three people willing to be members of a new class • Prospects • Place and time to meet 25

Factors for new classes to be started: • Prayer for God to work in the lives of members and prospects • Passion for connecting with people • Purpose of encouraging people to be discipled so they can serve the Lord 26

What are ages, life stages, or life transitions of adults in your community that could be opportunities to start a new class? What are opportunities and challenges you face in helping start at least one new class? 27

#1 New people experience great Bible study each week #2 Expect people to say “Yes” #3 Expect to Reproduce 28

We are to take and plant seeds Assemble expectantly Pray boldly Provide for needs Launch lasting impact Encourager discovered 29

How many “seeds” seeds have you “found” in your apple? 30

How many apples are in those seeds? How many trees are in those apples? 31

Build a Great Expectations Sunday School class 32