ACTIVITY #4 – “The Future of Your Sunday School”

(This activity has three parts. First, read the following article and then answer the “Questions to Think About” following the article. The second part of the activity involves you giving your opinions about how the world and people have changed. The third part of the activity uses a series of questions to lead you in consideration of what the future holds for your Sunday school.)


PART 1 – “The Importance of Having a Plan”

In 1899, a man by the name of Charles H. Duell was the Commisioner of the Office of Patents in Washington, D.C. Mr. Duell suggested to President McKinley that his office be closed, because, as he put it, “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”

In a similar way, many of us look at our Sunday school and Christian education programs and say, “everything that can be done for our Lord and for our Sunday school is now being done.” And, just like Charles H. Duell, we are also completely wrong!

Across the nation today there are thousands of vibrant, growing Sunday schools – Sunday schools that are steadily increasing in attendance, in the knowledge and spiritual commitment of their members and in their outreach and ministry to persons of their communities. And, God wants YOUR church and your Sunday school to grow, too. He wants to bless you and your Christian education program, but you must first be open to Him and His leading. You must have faith that, with His help, your Sunday school can grow!

Questions To Think About:

1. How does a lack of foresight and planning affect things like the church and Sunday school?


2. Obviously there is no magical cure for the problems that exist in most Sunday schools. If you are to see real growth and renewal, what will need to happen? What are some of the areas related to your Sunday school that you might need to examine?


3. Do you agree that it is necessary for spiritual revival to precede Sunday school growth and renewal? Why?




PART 2 – “How Have the World and People Changed?”

Look at the statements that are listed below. As you read each statement, what is your reaction? Do you agree, disagree or does your opinion fall somewhere in the middle? Under each statement there are numbers from “1” to “10,” with “1” indicating “strongly disagree” and “10” indicating “strongly agree.” Circle the number that indicates your reaction to the statement. For example, if you “sort-of agree” with the statement, you might circle “7” or “8.”

Statement #1 – The changes that have taken place in the world over the past 20 years have, for the most part, been very good and beneficial for all persons.

          STRONGLY                                                                                                              STRONGLY
          DISAGREE           1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9        10           AGREE


Statement #2 – The families of today have a much more difficult time than families did 20 years ago.

​          STRONGLY                                                                                                             STRONGLY
          DISAGREE          1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9        10           AGREE


Statement #3 – Things like computers, the Internet, cellular phones and other modern innovations have been good for the children and youth of today.

          STRONGLY                                                                                                            STRONGLY
          DISAGREE​          1        2        3        4       5       6        7        8        9        10            AGREE


Statement #4 – People are faced with more problems and temptations than they were 20 years ago.

          STRONGLY                                                                                                            STRONGLY
          DISAGREE          1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9        10          AGREE


Statement #5 – People are not as interested in Sunday school and the church as they were 20 years ago.

          STRONGLY                                                                                                           STRONGLY
          DISAGREE          1        2        3        4        5       6        7        8        9        10          AGREE​


Statement #6 – People are not as concerned about spiritual matters as they were 20 years ago.

          STRONGLY                                                                                                            STRONGLY
          DISAGREE          1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9        10          AGREE​



PART 3 – “What Does the Future Hold for Your Sunday School?”

Dream a little! What can you imagine your Sunday school being like in the future? Write an answer to each of the following questions:

1.   What can you imagine your average weekly attendance being in one year? In five years?



2. How many new families can you imagine coming to your church in the next year? In the next five years?



3. What percentage of the people who attend your worship service can you imagine attending your Sunday school by this time next year? In five years?



4. How can you imagine the spiritual commitment and Biblical knowledge of your Sunday school members growing in the next year? In the next five years?



5. What other improvements and growth can you imagine happening in your Sunday school or church over the next year? Over the next five years?