Did you watch the big ga
me? Sunday night, my Sunday School class gathered for a fun time of food and fellowship to watch the Super Bowl. At halftime, we watched a preview of the new movie, Courageous and heard a testimony from Michael Vick. I received an e-mail from a pastor today that used the Big Game for an excuse to have a High Attendance Sunday. Forty eight more men, women, and boys and girls gathered for Bible Study than the week before with a total attendance of 132. These churches took advantage of the Big Game?
In order to make attendance emphasis, revivals, or evangelistic events successful evangelistically, one ingredient has to be present: Lost People. While I enjoyed the party on Sunday night, it was sad that no one invited a lost or unchurched friend, including me. We can certainly make excuses. I was returning from preaching at a church in East Tennessee and was concerned about making it back for the party. I admit I missed a great opportunity. One of the number one reasons that our Sunday Schools are not seeing evangelistic results is because they are void of lost people.
Wouldn’t it be great for lost people to experience a group of Christians enjoying an evening together watching the big game. But someone including myself needs to be bold enough to invite them. Sunday School should be a place where people who are seeking answers to spiritual and life questions can belong. In a group of caring, loving people, they can discover for themselves truth and realize that Christianity makes a difference in the lives of real people.
Two powerful questions for you to ponder:
- What would have to change if Lost People were in our Sunday School Classes ?
- What are some ways to get lost people connected to Sunday School?
The great news is that if your Sunday School class and mine are willing to change and invite their lost friends, family, neighbors, relatives, and associates….surveys tell us many will attend. In other words, our Sunday School class missed an incredible, evangelistic opportunity on Sunday evening, simply because we failed to invite a lost friend.
________________
Mark Miller is the State Sunday School Director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
Mark
My wife and I were invited by our neighbor across the street to watch the game with him. “Watch” is one way to say it since he is blind. We watched and he listened and we provided “color commentary” as the game and commercials ran. We brought food and shared with him. Our own party was fun. He is not a believer and we were honored to share the game hoopla with him. I’m with you in that we need to get out of our church circles and rub shoulders with those that don’t go to church. Sometimes the language is a little colorful and you might be offered a beer. But if we don’t hang out with these folks there is little chance we will win them. Super Bowl is a great opportunity to not be in church and be with the lost and unchurched.