Sunday School is about people being cared for and accounted for. This is done by creating smaller groups within each class with a leader responsible for that group.
Who selects this leader? The teacher/leader of the class. Since he/she is responsible for the overall class, then he/she needs to feel sure the class will be cared for by the leaders of these smaller groups.
Each group should have 5-7 people in their group. This number could change if the class is mainly a couples class. A group might have 3-4 couples in each group. But a general rule is the smaller groups should be made up of men with men and women with women led by the same sex of the group. This way, a person of the opposite sex is not contacting people unlike themselves.
There will be several care group leaders in each class according to the overall enrollment in the class. Every person enrolled must be assigned to a small group. The leader of their small group should keep accurate, up-to-date information on each member and notify the church office when contacting information changes.
Each Sunday they can help guests and new members complete a registration form. Each leader may have a prospect or two they reach out to over a period of time, so this early introduction to guests is critical to beginning a good relationship with guests who become prospects for the class.
As a care group leader, make sure your members are present in class each Sunday. If not, note it so you can contact them ASAP after class. A text is fine to let them know you missed them and ask if everything is fine with them. If you don't do this, you, your teacher, the class, and the entire church might miss an opportunity to minister to that person due to an emergency happening in their life. Plus, everyone likes to know they were missed.
If a person begins to miss consistently, then a visit or an opportunity to meet over coffee or lunch would be appropriate to speak with them about what is happening in their life causing the constant absence.
Periodic texts are encouraged to give thanks to God for those who are attending faithfully. We all need encouragement and a text saying, "Just thanking God for your faithfulness to our Lord and our class today. Praying you are well." Or share a word from the Scriptures you saw today. Don't just wait until something is wrong to reach out.
Then this small group organization helps get the word out in times of prayer needs the class may have, the church may have, to share announcements about a fellowship or special event.
You want to keep up with their birthday, anniversary, and other special days in their life to acknowledge those days as they come around. Every "special" day may not be a day of celebration, just as the anniversary of a spouse's death or a divorce, but acknowledging it creates closeness as you express your sincere concern for them.
Finally, as a leader of a small group, regularly pray for each member of your group and their family.
At Rainsville First Baptist, we have special booklets prepared for each Care Group Leader where you can organize yourself with this information.
#David O. Cofield
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