The Seven Laws of Sunday School Growth

Dr. J. N Barnette was a businessman called in 1946 to lead the Sunday School Board in Nashville, TN. Like his predecessor, Dr. Arthur Flake, he was a layman who took the principles he discovered in his career and applied them to the ministry of the Sunday These seven principles were characteristics found in growing churches across the country. It has often been said that if “you take these principles and apply them to your Sunday School your Sunday School will grow and keep on growing”.

The Seven Laws of Sunday School Growth 1. “Sunday School enrollment grows in direct per potion to the number of workers at a ratio of ten to one.” 5. “Promotion recognizes the natural laws of growth and development; it is done annually.” 2. “Classes reach their maximum growth or saturation point within 18 – 24 months of their beginning.” 6. “Sunday School attendance increases in direct per portion to the number of contacts made.” 3. “New units grow faster, win more people to Christ and encourage constant growth.” 7. “The building sets the pattern for growth and efficiency in the Sunday School.” 4. “Age basis grading provides the logical method of adding new units. This follows stages of growth and human development.”

Law Number One – The Law of the Worker 1. “Sunday School enrollment grows in direct per potion to the number of workers at a ratio of ten to one.”

Law Number Two – The Law Relating to the Size of Classes 2. “Classes reach their maximum growth or saturation point within 18 – 24 months of their beginning.”

Law Number Three – The Law of New Units 3. “New units grow faster, win more people to Christ and encourage constant growth.”

Law Number Four – The Law of Grouping/Grading 4. “Age basis grading provides the logical method of adding new units. This follows stages of growth and human development.”

Law Number Five – The Law of Promotion 5. “Promotion recognizes the natural laws of growth and development; it is done annually.”

Law Number Six – The Law of Contact 6. “Sunday School attendance increases in direct per portion to the number of contacts made.”

Law Number Seven – The Building 7. “The building sets the pattern for growth and efficiency in the Sunday School.”

WORKER PROMOTION CLASS SIZE CONTACT NEW UNITS BUILDING GROUPING The Seven Laws of Sunday School Growth 1. “Sunday School enrollment grows in direct per potion to the number of workers at a ratio of ten to one.” WORKER 5. “Promotion recognizes the natural laws of growth and development; it is done annually.” PROMOTION 2. “Classes reach their maximum growth or saturation point within 18 – 24 months of their beginning.” CLASS SIZE 6. “Sunday School attendance increases in direct per portion to the number of contacts made.” CONTACT 3. “New units grow faster, win more people to Christ and encourage constant growth.” NEW UNITS 7. “The building sets the pattern for growth and efficiency in the Sunday School.” BUILDING 4. “Age basis grading provides the logical method of adding new units. This follows stages of growth and human development.” GROUPING

The Seven Laws of Sunday School Growth