The Culture of Content

This month we are focused on becoming a better Sunday School teacher. Specifically, we are zeroed in on being a better teacher of God’s Word. The first week we focused on the personal preparation of the teacher. Last week our attention went to preparing the people in your group to better study and receive the Word.

This week, our attention turns to teaching for content. As I lead seminars for Sunday School leaders across Oklahoma and many other parts of our country, I often hear teachers wish their Bible study lessons were deeper. Some teachers blame their curriculum for lack of depth. In my own experience however, I find that most teachers just want to have better content and want to be deeper teachers personally. In many ways, the shallowness of our classes may have less to do with the curriculum and more to do with our own lack of depth.

I am currently winding up an interim at Northwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. There are many things that I am going to miss about Northwest, but at the top is the Sunday School group where my wife and I belong. Not only have we made friends in this group, this class has what I call a “culture of content”. What is this culture of content? When I arrive, I don’t hope for a really good Bible study experience. No, I expect it! Our teacher arrives prepared and ready to go. I have learned that there is no question that is out of bounds. Invariably when our time is up, I leave the group being grateful for both the ministry of the class, but also two or three things from the Bible study that I need to work out in my own life during the week.

This week at the blog, we are going to focus on developing a culture of content in your Sunday School or small group. Check back daily this week for posts from some outstanding Sunday School leaders who are eager to be deep themselves.

As Scripture says, “These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).

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Bob Mayfield is the Sunday School and Small Group specialist at the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Bob writes here and also has his own blog at www.bobmayfield.com.