Twelve Days of Sunday School: Day Ten

In this series, I’ve challenged us to make sure our classes are ready to celebrate our Lord’s birth. I hope the series reminds us to give Jesus our best. I am suggesting twelve gifts this Christmas. In Part 1 I asked how you would fill in that day’s verse of this variation of the song, Twelve Days of Christmas (for a YouTube of the original song to inspire you, press the link). Here is what I have offered for the first nine verses:

1. On the first day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Love of God, neighbors, and self. 
2. On the second day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Start of a second class.
3. On the third day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Prayer for three prospects.
4. On the fourth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Four ministry calls.
5. On the fifth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Five quiet times.
6. On the sixth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Six acts of kindness.
7. On the seventh day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Seven days of prayer.
8. On the eighth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Eight hours of sleep. 
9. On the ninth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Nine fruit of the Spirit.

Take a moment to consider how you would complete the tenth verse:

On the tenth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…

How did you complete the verse? Ask for your class’ response. Turn it into a request for class members’ commitment. Give your response to Christ and to each other. Make Christmas special by giving Jesus twelve birthday presents this year!

Here is how I would respond to today’s verse:

Ten service projects.

There are still other sheep not yet in the sheep pen (John 10:16). They need to be prayed for, pursued, and cared for. Jesus has told us that some will listen to His voice. So work at ways to go beyond the walls of the class and church building. Help your class see those for whom Jesus died that are not in a relationship with Him. Help the class take steps to put skin on His love.

Plan projects to get to know and meet the needs of people in your circles of influence, community, and world. Consider mission and service projects in your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world (Acts 1:8).

Ten is not a magical number. For a class that is not used to serving the unenrolled and the lost, the first step may be calendaring and planning service projects quarterly. But ongoing relationships and projects are probably best so the people don’t feel like they are just “projects.” Some projects may be as simple as random acts of kindness with a reporting time the next Sunday. Others may be providing water at ball games, working in VBS, or organizing a mission trip.

These projects not only meet the needs of people beyond the walls and show the love of Jesus, they also allow class members the opportunity to get to know each other in new ways. As attenders share these experiences, bonds are strengthened and trust is bu ilt. In turn, lessons are able to be personal, relevant, and life-changing.

Plan projects together. Increase the number in order to touch more lives for Jesus. Love others. Serve. Do more than sing the words to today’s verse! Commit to it. Live it. Do it! Grow. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!