Robert,
I have accepted to teach SS in my home church as of January. The class
has already doubled in size from 6 to 12 in two weeks time. Here is what
we have done so far:
1) Changed our study material from the LifeWay quarterly to a book called
The Grace Awakening by Chuck Swindoll. (This is a church-wide emphasis
for the quarter.)
2) Implemented an email contact system by which I send multiple emails to
class members about the last lesson and the one coming up.
3) Have changed from a lecture-style format where only 1-2 would speak
(besides the teacher); to an open discussion style where I do some limited
lecture and ask lots of open-ended questions that go along with the
chapter we are studying.
4) Moved the "announcements/prayer time" to the end of class rather than
at the beginning since it can go on and on. Also, everyone is present at
the end!
5) Room arrangement has also changed. I have done away with the
"teacher's desk" and sit in the circle of chairs with no physical barrier
between me and the other students.
6) We also have begun having fellowships outside of class. One in
December (with kids) and the next coming in February (without kids). Our
target audience is 40-somethings with school-aged children.
7) We are also contacting former class members who have dropped out over
the years with emails, phone calls and personal contacts.
The effects of these changes are already evident:
1) A deeper level of sharing with more personal information being shared.
2) 100% participation---every single person in the room made at least one
contribution to the conversation this past Sunday.
3) Punctuality has improved. Now people begin to arrive at 9:45 for
fellowship and visiting and we begin the class (opening prayer and
teaching) promptly at 10:00am. I actually close the door at that time to
signal the beginning of class.
Here is what we are planning to do next:
1) Implement a group covenant, since the sharing is going much deeper.
2) Begin quarterly mission outreach events. None of the men or women are
active in either the WMU or Brotherhood organizations so they need an
"outlet" to give of themselves.
3) When we finish this book, not return to the quarterly but move to a
video-driven teaching style incorporating Rick Warren's "Doing Life"
series and some of Andy Stanley's excellent teaching DVD's.
4) I am already observing the group to see who I can train as apprentice
leaders once we get the system in place. I anticipate outgrowing our
space within a few months.
--Kelton Hinton
