One of the last great Southern Baptist Sunday School enrollment campaigns was entitled “8.5 by ’85.” It was an effort to increase enrollment to 8.5 million by 1985. The result was an enrollment of 8.2 million people. Some 20 plus years later, the Sunday School enrollment of the 16 million member Southern Baptist Convention stands at @8.3 million people. During this same period of time, baptisms have been on a plateau as well. If evangelism is to be the priority of Sunday School, then the importance of open enrollment will need to be revisited. Historically, churches baptize at least one of four new enrollees each year. Please look and listen to seven practical ways to stress evangelism in the Sunday School. Practice Open Enrollment Open enrollment enables classes to see and work the harvest field of souls. Follow up will become the key as class members recognize they have committed to minister to new enrollees. Prospect Discovery Lead class members to discover prospects through their network of relationships. The best prospects for evangelism and Sunday School growth are people that class members already have met. Post a ‘10 Most Wanted’ list This list will help keep class members focused on outreach. Those on the list can be anyone not enrolled in Sunday School. People on the list should feel ‘wanted’ by the class when they attend. Plan Intentional Evangelism Activities Enable class members to discover and utilize a passion-driven ministry to build a relationship with the non-Christians in order to lead them to Christ. The class should seek to conduct some of these ministries as a group. Provide Witness Training Opportunities Class members should be able to share their personal testimony and a simple Gospel presentation. Training will provide them with the competence and confidence to share. Participate in Outreach As a Class Classmates visiting in the homes of prospects for their class, tend to have greater results. The class obligates itself for evangelism, ministry, discipleship, and follow through when they work together. Protect the Testimony of Converts Often in excitement a class member shares of the conversion of another individual. This can lead to feelings of awkwardness. Allow the new believer to share the news of their salvation. This will serve to encourage them to tell others the good news. |