One of the great values of Sunday School ministry for me is the opportunity and forum for connecting with others on a deeper level in a small group. Bible teaching is important an
d should be done with excellence. But determine to have good connections among class members and prospects in place as well.
How do you ‘connect’ a group of a dozen or so class members? This day and age requires more than merely a paper class list and a prayer chain by phone. Obviously computer technology gives us many opportunities for connecting people:
1. Emails to class members are the most basic step. Upcoming lesson topics, questions for thought and discussion, prayer needs and social opportunities are easily communicated to the group.
2. A next step from there might be a class blog-these are easy and inexpensive ways to connect people and they allow for interactivity as people can discuss things online.
3. Facebook and Twitter are also free and easy ways for a class to connect as a group and they are fast (and a lot of people are using social 
media).
4. For a class member who is stationed in the military a possible connection could be to use Skype and have face to face talk time with the member. Another option would be to video a lesson and send it by internet to the overseas class member.
5. But in my opinion, nothing takes the place of face to face connecting with a cup of coffee or a Coke. Inside or outside of the church building, make time to visit with class members and prospects and interact with them.
Technology isn’t the answer. Connecting is the key. I sat down at my computer to write this blog post and my office computer network had to be shut down due to a virus on our system. So I write this on a typewriter to be faxed to our blog coordinator. Technology will fail but the Lord is pleased when we connect with people in need of Him on a personal and spiritual level.
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Richard Nations is the Church Health Team Leader for the Baptist Convention of Iowa.
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