Seven Simple Steps toward a Class Outreach Strategy

Outreach through a Sunday School class, hum? What a thought! The problem many times is the fact that it is not a thought. It’s not thought of at all. Yet maybe this can spark an interest or cause you to implement something that would revolutionize your class.

First let’s ask some questions:

• Do you have an Outreach Director in your class? (He or she may not carry that title but it is someone who is intentional about planning ministry projects in the community.)
• How many outreach projects do you want to do in a year? (Remember projects may be large events for a whole community. It may be for one street or you may be ministering to one family.)
• Is the class on board? (What can you do to lead them to “own” the events and responsibility?)
• Is your Minister of Education, Sunday School Director, and Pastor aware of what you are doing? (May lead to affirmation of the efforts to the class or even the church.)
• Do you have the necessary resources to pull this off? (If not, with whom do you need to speak and what do you need to do to be ready?)

OK, now that we have asked a few of the basic questions now lets map out a strategy.

1. Prayerfully consider what your class can do (Remember as the teacher the class will be looking to you for direction and leadership although you may not be leading the project)
2. Assemble a small ministry project task force to handle all of the details.
3. Talk about it every week in class regardless of whether you are in a project or not.
4. Do not over extend your class or burn them out. (You know your class better than anyone, don’t over do it)
5. Pray, Pray, Pray!!! (Always bathe everything you do in prayer)
6. Plan the work and work the Plan!
7. Celebrate what God has done!

Allow these thoughts to help you and your class as you plan outreach projects for your class. If you are not sure where to start, ask your pastor for help!

Dwayne Lee is the Associate Team Leader of the Bible Teaching / Leadership Resource Group of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.