The Missional Sunday School: Living Christ Outside the Norm

The Missional Sunday School is one where those within the church live out the purpose of Christ by His presence being seen and felt throughout the community. There is a positive convergence of the culture of the people in the community and the collective purpose of the mission of the Church. If this convergence is genuinely spiritual, there will be authentic disciples living out 2 Timothy 2:2, equipping and reproducing others in proclaiming the “Good News” throughout the community and the world.

The reality of the matter is that being a Missional Sunday School means becoming a radical class of Christians. Business within the church/class cannot continue as usual. Class members must become serious about Galatians 2:20. There must be an intentional life-changing dying to self and a daily growing relationship of living with Christ. When these two aspects take place in our lives, then the congregation/class starts to see the necessary shifts that must occur in order for spiritual transformation and genuine missional ministry to penetrate the darkness of the community.

Eric Swanson wrote about “Ten Paradigm Shifts Toward Community Transformation” that I feel challenges each Sunday School Class to become more missional.

1. Build Bridges not Walls – Matthew 5:13-14
2. Measure Impact not Attendance – Matthew 13:33
3. Equipping Saints for Works of Service – Ephesians 4:11-12
4. Service not “Serve Us” – Mark 10:45
5. Partner with Existing Services/Ministries – Ecclesiastes 4:9-11
6. Functional Unity – Philippians 2:2
7. Bless and Pray for Your Community – Jeremiah 29:7
8. Be a Minister to a Parish – Luke 19:41
9. Have Valid Information – Nehemiah
10. Be a Learner not just a Teacher – James 1:9

When we come to realize the spiritual seriousness of the situation and get out of our normal church mode, then we will start to act like the Church in Acts 2. When this finally happens, Sunday School will be more than a Sunday morning class time. It is all about living and loving as Jesus did.