Sunday School vs. Small Groups
It’s the classic match-up between the tried and true, traditional, all age group friendly assimilation model – Sunday School – pitted against the intimate, flexible, let’s-do-life together, connect your church members to each other retention model – home-based small groups. Church leaders have debated the advantages and disadvantages of each for decades with no clear resolution.
To bring clarity to this clouded issue, LifeWay Training is bringing in the big guns for a title bout throw down. In one corner sits David Francis, LifeWay’s Sunday School Guy, the reigning champion and consummate leader of Sunday morning on-campus education model for traditional churches. In the opposite corner sits Rick Howerton, LifeWay’s Small Groupologist, foremost expert on the principles and practices of small group life, former church planter, and kingpin of creating redemptive community.
These two thought leaders on the subjects of Sunday School and Small Groups come together to discuss/debate the various issues swirling around each educational model. If you a have ever considered adding Small Groups or Sunday School into your existing ministry, this dynamic, live eLearning training session is for you!
WATCH THEM Duke it out! May 19, 2009!
You will walk away with a new understanding of Sunday School vs. Small Groups as well as answers to the following issues:
* Which is the “best” method
* Is there really any difference, it’s just two different names for bible-study groups
* Why would I want off-campus groups
* Can Sunday School and Small Groups really work together
* Won’t I lose Sunday School members if I start Small Groups
* Can’t you have intimacy in Sunday School
* Are Small Groups ever welcoming to new members
* Small Groups don’t seem to help with biblical literacy
* How can I keep Small Groups on target theologically when every group member has an opinion, whereas Sunday School classes have a knowledgeable teacher.