Here is a story about a family that was not involved in church at all. We can call them the “Smith”
family. It began with one of the children who started coming to Sunday School. A church family in their neighborhood started bringing this little girl with them every week. After two months, the younger brother started coming too.
This went on for a about two years until one day the church had a “Friend Day” campaign and Sunday School high attendance day. The little girl made a commitment to invite her parents. The dad was an alcoholic and he had come into some difficult times. The family was dealing with expected dysfunctions. He was ready to try something different, even church! That Sunday was the beginning of transformation of individual lives and a family.
After about a year, one of the pastors sat down with the father and shared the Gospel with him and he accepted Christ as his Savior. Over about 5 years, the little girl who invited her family accepted Christ, both parents accepted Christ, and the family followed Jesus in baptism. The family was transformed by Christ and a church that loved the Smiths.
Sunday School was a big part of this transformation as the children began attending Sunday School. This developed trust with the family. Once the parents came to the church on Friend Day, the Sunday School visited them and made sure that they found a place in a class. The nurture, love, acceptance, ministry and teaching of different classes over the years drew the Smiths into the life of the church.
It didn’t stop there. Transformation continued as the mom and dad became leaders in the Sunday School classes they participated in. They had servant hearts that helped with all of those behind-the-scenes opportunities in their class. The Smiths were transformed from being lost and without Jesus, to being a family who loved Jesus and served Him faithfully. Does this describe some of you?
Pray. Care. Invite. Transform!
Who hoo! Great story!