State of Sunday School: Past – Present - Future Dr. Steve R. Parr

The Roots of Groups Luke 2:52 Introduction to a model of balanced faith development Luke 4:16 Systematic intergenerational worship Luke 5:16 Frequent personal interaction with The Word Luke 6:12-13 Affinity based community group

The Emergence of Sunday School It started in 1780 in England. It was the vision of Robert Raikes. His motive was literacy education. God’s design was a strategy to make disciples. It quickly developed into affinity based Bible Study groups focused on introducing God’s word to the unchurched.

The Rise of the Sunday School 250,000 children enrolled in first five years. Weekly attendance grew to 400,000 within thirty years. Emerged in America in Adult involvement incorporated in the 1800’s. The cross-denominational strategy embraced with great fervor by Southern Baptists.

The Pinnacle and The Turn The Pinnacle was in 1954 with the “Million More in ’54’ Campaign. Beginning in the 1960’s, a philosophical shift begin to take hold. The shift from outreach to fellowship and later to Christian Education (Bible Study).

Current Trends in North America Many churches have “thriving Sunday Schools” in all kinds of settings and situations proving that the strategy is still credible. Overall, an erosion is taking place. In The Great Evangelical Recession, John Dickerson identifies the two key causes:

Key Causes of the Erosion 1.“We’re losing our own kids.” 2.“We’re failing to generate significant converts in the midst of a rapid population boom.” 3.(I’ll add) The way most churches understand the purpose of Sunday School has changed to the detriment of potential growth.

Key Causes of the Erosion What is the purpose of Sunday School? Most common answer: “To study the Bible.” How can that be detrimental? The purpose is rooted in Matthew 28: The purpose is to engage the congregation in fulfillment of the Great Commission.

How can Sunday School engage… If Great Commission Focused: 1.Lost will be reached. 2.Lives will be changed. 3.Leaders will be sent.

Other Notable Trends The name is changing. Weekday small groups are becoming more common (but it is not growing total participation). Options for curriculum have expanded. Standardization is no longer present.

What Does The Future Hold? The scorecard will change making “apples to apples” comparisons challenging. The total participation will be limited by the cultural trends apart from an awakening. Those who understand and apply the principles of growth will thrive. Those that move to multi-day groups will progress more than those that do not.

Three Keys to Your Future Build on Prayer. (God’s intervention) Build on Purpose. (Great Commission Focus) Build on Principles. (Learn and Apply) My book Sunday School That Really Works drills down into these principles that are transferable to any circumstance.

State of Sunday School: Past – Present - Future Dr. Steve R. Parr