Which Way Is Your Class Facing: Inward or Outward?

Today’s e-mail newsletter I received from www.leadlikejesus.org has started me thinking about Sunday School.  Here is the passage that made me think:

The natural outcome of deciding to please God as well as turning over control of your life to Him is a change in your perspective. If you live a life that is not designed to please God, and don’t give Him control, your perspective will be inward and focused on self or ego. If you live your life to please God, and put Him in charge, your perspective will be outward, and God-given confidence will lead your life.

When you think about your Sunday School as a whole or your class in particular, can you say that your perspective is inward or outward? Is Sunday School all about us (inward) or about Him and those who are not already members (outward)? What choice have you made?

I don’t believe it is possible to be revolutionary if we are inwardly focused. If we are hurt and focused on ourselves, we will be inward. If we are selfish and controlling, we will be inward. If we are concerned more about comfort, personal expense, and inconvenience, we will be inward.

An outward perspective begins with an openness to God’s leadership no matter what. Wherever He leads we will go. An outward perspective means despite my personal preferences, I want what is best for God, for the Kingdom, and for those He wants to reach. An outward perspective means I invite and want new people in Sunday School. An outward perspective means I am willing to change in any way that makes me more usable to God, and I am willing for for my class to change in whatever way will help Him.

How about you? Are you inward or outward? How about your class? How about your church? Decide to please God. Turn over control of your life, your class, and your church to Him. Set aside ego. Put Him in charge. Be outward-focused. Be revolutionary!