Sunday School- A Class Act
Sunday school is a class act! And this outreach campaign will prove it.
This is a four-Sunday emphasis with the goals of (1) motivating new people to attend Sunday school, and (2) effectively assimilating them into the life and ministries of the church. It demonstrates Sunday school as a major arm of the church for bringing the unsaved to Christ and training them as His disciples. Few ministries of the church fulfill the role of disciple-making as effectively, generation after generation, as the Sunday school.
This campaign capitalizes on Sunday school’s personalized ministry and cultivates the biblical principles necessary to reach and train the lost. It promotes an immediate increase in attendance (to the ends of evangelism and discipleship), and it helps develop the local Sunday school for continued numerical and spiritual growth.
Each Sunday, or "Act," of the campaign focuses on a Bible character who exemplifies the qualities necessary for bringing the unsaved to Christ and discipling those who are reached. Emphases for each Sunday are:
Act 1--Andrew, the Bringer
Act 2-Barnabas, the Friend
Act 3-Priscilla, the Teacher
Act 4-Paul, the Disciple-maker
The first Sunday focuses on Andrew, who brought his brother Peter to Jesus. The second spotlights the "good man" Barnabas, whose friendship and endorsement opened the door of the church for Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul. The third Sunday emphasizes the ministry of the teacher, as demonstrated by Priscilla. The final Sunday presents Paul as a model for making disciples for Christ.
Implemented in three phases: Planning/Preparation, Promotion, and Programming, the campaign provides an opportunity for small, medium, and large churches to organize for growth. Smaller churches, those with less than 100 in attendance, often function with a casual administrative structure. This may be adequate at certain levels, but it does not support and sustain growth.
The under organized school may collapse beneath the weight of growth. Unable to minister to needs adequately, it loses its fruit and stymies further development
The enlargement campaign enables the pastor or superintendent to organize for expected growth. The staff and members can be motivated with a challenge to "see what we can accomplish with 4 weeks of ultimate effort given to God's anointing."
The full campaign with its appointments, delegations, reports, and evaluations, helps establish the structure needed for an effective Sunday school year-round. It's a good time to introduce a policy that says, "We will organize and operate as if we were a church of 1,000 because we expect to be a church of 1, 000."
PLANNING
Planning and preparation for the campaign begin with the pastor or minister of education and the superintendent or Sunday school committee. As early as possible– at least 8 weeks before the first Sunday–set the dates for the outreach.
At that time appoint the campaign chairman, a promotions coordinator, a program coordinator, a visitation coordinator, and any other necessary supervisory personnel. These persons with the pastor and superintendent or Sunday school committee will form a steering committee for the campaign.
Job Descriptions
Campaign Chairman
- Assume responsibility for overall planning and implementation of "A Class Act" campaign.
- Exercise general oversight of all stages and aspects of the outreach.
- Keep campaign preparation and presentation on schedule.
- Harmonize individual class activities and contests with overall campaign objectives.
- Keep pastor/superintendent apprised of plans and progress.
- Assist pastor/superintendent in "Teacher of the Year" selection and in arranging awards service for Sunday #3.
- Prepare and present post-campaign success summary to congregation and teacher conference.
- Conduct evaluation session with staff members. Send special thank you notes to all who helped with the campaign.
- Make recommendations to pastor and superintendent to lay groundwork for even greater results in the next Sunday school campaign.
Promotion Coordinator
- Take overall responsibility for comprehensive promotion of "A Class Act" campaign, both inside and outside the church.
- Be responsible for planning and preparing news releases, advertising, bulletin/newsletter announcements, banners, posters, fliers, pulpit promotions, and all other means of spreading the word about "A Class Act."
- Expedite and mail pastor/superintendent letter to membership, and oversee production and mailing of letters to area residents and community newcomers.
- Assist campaign chairman in preparing and mailing follow-up cards to visitors.
- Submit written evaluation of campaign to superintendent, take part in post-campaign staff conference, and provide specific suggestions for future campaigns.
Program Coordinator
- Take responsibility for planning, preparing, and conducting programs and activities for each of the four Sundays of the campaign.
- Recruit participants for each Sunday’s presentation, schedule necessary practice sessions, etc.
- Be responsible for planning and expediting meal on Sunday #2.
- Assist pastor/superintendent in planning "Teacher of the Year" presentation for Sunday #3.
- Complete written evaluation of campaign, and share suggestions for future campaigns and programs. Take part in the staff conference following the outreach.
Visitation/Contact Coordinator
- Recruit, instruct, and activate visitation/contact teams and door-to-door distributions for the campaign.
- Compile a visitation/contact list to include family and friends of church members, recent guests of the church or any departmental activity, new residents, former members, individuals who attend church but not Sunday school, and any other identifiable prospects. Determine appropriate means of contact and assign to contact teams.
- Submit written evaluation and suggestions to campaign chairman at close of campaign, and take part in staff conference for evaluation of the outreach.
Resource Coordinator
Take responsibility for securing and/ or preparing materials for promotion, programs, and other aspects of the campaign.
When making these appointments, the superintendent should give each individual a written summary of the campaign and a complete oral explanation of the theme, purpose, format, and so on. It is also important to provide written job descriptions and ask that each coordinator submit an evaluation with suggestions at the close of the campaign.
Serving on the steering committee will help keep each coordinator in touch with the full campaign. Each will attend to his assignment, report back to the committee, and help schedule and implement the total outreach.
The steering committee should develop a budget for the campaign, carefully designating monies available for each phase (promotions, programming, and follow up). Funding is important for any project, but even more critical is the determination to make the most of what you have.
Involve the full Sunday school staff in planning by holding a goal-setting staff conference 5 weeks before Sunday #1. Carefully, completely explain the what, when, where, why, and how of the campaign.
Encourage thorough discussion to be sure all staff members understand each aspect of the outreach. Present the timetable and insist that all tasks and efforts proceed on schedule.
At the conference record class aims and finalize goals for the whole campaign. Teachers should include their classes in the goal-setting process.
To allow for this, give each teacher a memorandum–a brief written message announcing the campaign dates and themes a full week prior to the goal-setting conference. Also provide helpful statistics and information from the previous Sunday school year (average attendance, new members added, extension classes begun, and so forth).
Help each class establish reachable goals. Expect each Sunday's attendance to boost the next, and target growth by percentages (i.e., 10 percent more each Sunday than the previous week's attendance, and an overall gain of 20 percent above last year's average).
Each class should have specific numerical and spiritual objectives. They should also have carefully rehearsed ways of welcoming and involving newcomers, Members may need to practice greetings, introductions, and friendly behavior in general.
As part of the church's follow-up program, each teacher should also have a specifically outlined plan for following up newcomers. The objective is to serve their needs, to keep them coming, and, as rapidly as possible, to involve them in the life and ministries of the church as born-again, faithful, maturing followers of Christ.
Because no project of the church can succeed without an under girding of earnest prayer and the free flow of the Holy Spirit, emphasize prayer from the outset of planning and continue throughout the campaign. The Sunday before "Act 1," ask each class to spend part of their session praying specifically for the campaign.
Other organized prayer emphases might include an all-church prayer meeting the Saturday night before the first Sunday. You might want to plan a all-night prayer vigil sometime in the second week before the campaign starts, or a 24-hour prayer chain. During this time individuals agree to pray for a specific period around the clock
PROMOTION
Promotion of the campaign is under way from the moment the superintendent begins recruiting leaders, but it officially begins with announcement to the congregation 4 weeks before the first Sunday. The pastor should take the lead in promoting the campaign from the pulpit Announcements also should be included in each Sunday's bulletin and every newsletter until the conclusion of the outreach campaign.
Generate a steady flow of information to the church family and target audiences outside the church. Posters, banners, and printed pieces will help create interest and build enthusiasm. Be sure to get all materials into production in plenty of time to be ready for their scheduled release.
During the third week prior to Sunday #1, send a letter from the pastor, superintendent or both, to everyone who identifies with your church. Make it a very personal appeal to attend every Sunday of the campaign. Stress the special events and the benefits involved.
If the church has a bulk-mailing permit, a mass mailing to area residents can be effective. The same letter mailed to different addresses may be personalized and still qualify for the bulk rate. This is accomplished by writing a you-oriented letter to a single individual. Then, using a computer, print the same letter with address and salutation typed in for each new household.
Promotion will also include preparing and mailing a follow-up letter or postcard to each visitor after each Sunday of the campaign.
Lawn signs posted at members’ homes may be another effective tool. Beginning the week before the first Sunday, post signs throughout the campaign. (Be sure to tack on a crossbar for stability.) Write in your church's telephone number with a bold permanent marker.
Carefully consider and utilize every promotion possibility to unify efforts and reinforce your message to church and community. In keeping with your budget, use advertising such as newspaper ads, radio and television spots, door-to-door distributions, and shopper ads. Take note of especially effective business promotions in your area to identify church promotion possibilities.
With the first special Sunday still 2 weeks away, assign visitation contact teams to write, call, or visit prospects. Start with unchurched spouses and other family members of persons already attending your Sunday school. Also target those who attend church but not Sunday school.
Other prospects include recent visitors to the church, Sunday school, or any church departmental function. Also contact new residents in the community or neighborhood.
Two weeks before the first Sunday of the campaign, send news releases to local newspapers and to radio and television stations with news programs or community announcements. Follow each week with announcements about the upcoming Sunday.
Focus on special speakers or unique features of each service. After the campaign, send a summary story to the media.
SCHEDULE
8 weeks before–Begin with a pastor, superintendent, Sunday school committee meeting. Set campaign dates (if not scheduled in annual planning), and appoint the campaign chairman, promotion coordinator, program coordinator, and visitation coordinator.
7 weeks before–Begin planning and production of promotional materials.
6 weeks before–Give memo to all teachers announcing campaign dates and theme and providing needed information for class goal-setting. Begin rehearsals for Sunday 2 and 4 programs.
5 weeks before–Conduct goal-setting teacher and worker conference to explain detail to staff and finalize goals.
4 weeks before–Begin announcements to the congregation and continue throughout the campaign with pulpit promotions, bulletin, newsletter, and any other appropriate means.
3 weeks before–Prepare and mail letters to all church constituents and prospects. Begin mass mailings, etc.
2 weeks before–Activate visitation and contact teams. Deliver news releases. Schedule and purchase advertising. Distribute "Operation Andrew" cards. Conduct prayer emphasis.
1 week before–Post lawn signs for display throughout campaign. Conduct final staff briefings.
Sunday 1–Act I "Andrew the Bringer"
Present the special program for each respective Sunday. Send follow-up letters or cards to visitors each week
Sunday 2–Act Il "Barnabas the Friend"
Sunday 3–Act III "Priscilla the Teacher"
Sunday 4–Act IV "Paul the Disciple Maker"
1 week after–Present achievement report to congregation. Give thanks to God and publicly express appreciation to all staff members and participants.
2 weeks after–Receive written reports from chairman and all coordinators. Conduct teacher and worker conference to evaluate the outreach. Send a special note of thanks from the pastor and superintendent to all staff members. Stress the need to continue the principles and practices of evangelism and discipleship. Begin looking forward to the next campaign.
PROGRAMS
Beginning with the first Sunday, the program phase of the campaign becomes all-important. The quality of preparation and performance will make or break the outreach. Program planning should begin immediately upon appointment of the coordinator. Rehearsal for Sundays 2 and 4 should begin no later than 5 weeks before Act 1.
Success will be reflected in attendance increases and spiritual growth, and your school must be prepared to receive and minister to newcomers.
Special programs will follow each Sunday school hour. Designate time for the presentations during the morning services. Resist the temptation to shorten the Sunday school time. Guests should experience Sunday school classes at their best.
Each Sunday of the campaign, have warm, friendly workers prepared and positioned to receive visitors at the church doors. These greeters, equipped with facility maps if necessary, should assist guests to their classes.
Teachers and workers should start each Sunday with prayer and a briefing session with the superintendent 25 minutes before class time. This should only take 10 minutes since teachers and other staff are to be in their classes or work stations at least 15 minutes before the classes begin.
The teacher should give full attention to each arriving pupil. Enroll newcomers, if they are willing.
Workers should make a special effort to welcome new people and involve them in the day's lesson and activities. Encourage members to invite newcomers to sit with them during the special program and worship hour.
Act I-Andrew, the Bringer
Focus on the disciple Andrew, whose first response to meeting Jesus was to bring his brother Peter to the Lord (John 1:40-42). From this beginning Andrew developed a lifelong habit of bringing others to Christ.
Facing a hungry throng, Jesus asked His disciples what they could offer to meet the need. Andrew brought forward a boy with his lunch of five loaves and two fish (John 6:1-9).
When Philip informed Andrew that certain Greeks wanted to meet Jesus, he took their request straight to the Master (John 12:20-22).
Andrew's actions are powerful examples of the biblical principle of household evangelism. Early Christians typically shared their faith first with their families. Cornelius was saved in a house full of family, staff, and friends he had gathered to hear Peter deliver the gospel (Acts 10:24,43-48). The first European convert, Lydia, received Christ and then led her household in public declaration of faith with water baptism (Acts 16:15).
Paul answered the Philippian jailor’s cry for the plan of salvation by saying, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." The jailor then took Paul and Silas to his home to share the good news with all in the family (Acts 16:30-34).
To involve your congregation in this kind of outreach, launch "Operation Andrew." This should be a concerted effort to reach family members of those who already attend your church.
Two weeks before Andrew Sunday, distribute "Operation Andrew" card to everyone in the Sunday school. Encourage each one to list the names of at least seven family members or friends who do not regularly attend church. Ask them to keep the cards in their Bibles, to commit themselves to pray every day for those individuals, and to invite them to attend Sunday school and church with them on Andrew Sunday.
Devote this entire Sunday to emphasis on the family with congregational singing, special music, and a sermon spotlighting families serving Christ together.
Urge families to sit together. It might be appropriate to honor the family with the most members present
You might also have a photographer present to take family photos before and after service. This might be a professional or a hobbyist with a good camera.
The campaign program for the day should include a character sketch of Andrew, the Bringer, and a challenge to follow his example. Brief, but powerful, testimonies of individuals who were led to Christ by family members would also be effective.
Act 11-Barnabas, the Friend
The activities and program for this special Sunday emphasize friendship as a key to soul-winning and discipleship.
The biblical example is Barnabas, "the son of consolation" (Acts 4:36). His special gift seems to have been making people feel better. Barnabas had a talent for being in the right place at the right time with the right attitude to meet needs.
Every candidate for the gospel needs someone who cares. Compassion that moves one to action makes the Christian testimony credible.
Every guest of your Sunday school needs a friend. In fact, finding a friend is often the key to continued attendance and, ultimately, acceptance of Christ.
Today’s schedule emphasizes that the same Holy Spirit who worked in Barnabas wants to work in all of us. Needs are everywhere, both inside and outside the church.
Some individuals are sad, lonely, or sick Others are discouraged, frustrated, financially distressed, or physically exhausted. Some may be out of fellowship as a result of their own choosing, but they all need help. Maybe a smile or a kind word will do. Maybe they need a prayer partner or just a listening ear.
Today's program says, "Whatever the need, make it your business to be a Barnabas."
This should be nametag Sunday. Provide everyone, members and guests alike, with stick-on nametags ("Hello! My name is ________." ) Greeters can distribute these and provide pens for writing on names as each individual arrives.
Be sure everyone wears a nametag. This effort is primarily for the benefit of guests. Members may all know each other, but guests are among many strangers. Visitors feel conspicuous if they wear nametags and no one else does. Tagging everyone solves the problem, and, if your church is large, will help even members to get acquainted.
The special program for Sunday #2 is a skit portraying a full, lively, and obviously enjoyable adult Sunday school class (Sunday school isn't just for kids!). The skit demonstrates how friendship and the practice of sincerely responding to needs make a powerful Christian witness.
To introduce the skit, have the pastor or another articulate individual give a character sketch of Barnabas. Explain that it was Barnabas' endorsement of Saul of Tarsus that won acceptance in the Jerusalem church for the former persecutor (Acts 9:26-28).
Emphasize Barnabas’ gift of helps. He introduced the idea of selling property to help the needy in the church (Acts 4:36,37).
Barnabas also was instrumental in Paul’s entry into formal ministry. He went to Tarsus to seek Saul and bring him back to the new church at Antioch as his co pastor (Acts 11:25,26). Then Barnabas took a back seat to the emerging missionary ministry of the apostle (Acts 13:2-13).
In keeping with his character and calling, Barnabas gave a second chance to the faltering missionary candidate, John Mark. Parting ways with Paul, and, perhaps, without popular support he took the young preacher in tow and salvaged him for the church and the ministry (Acts 15:37-39).
In his later years, Paul endorsed John Mark’s recovery, writing to Timothy, "Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry" (2 Timothy 4:11).
Barnabas was a prophet and teacher (Acts 13:1). His ministry was prominent and powerful. The Scripture says, "He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." His influence is associated with "much people" being "added unto the Lord" (Acts 11:24).
Your introductory speaker should explain that the class in the skit has been studying the life and works of Barnabas and it has brought them to today's interesting discussion.
Be a Barnabas!
The skit includes a teacher and a class of young adults. They should be pleasantly interacting, members introducing themselves to newcomers, wise-cracking, as the skit opens.
Teacher: OK! OK! We need to get started on something serious here before our time gets away. We've got a great lesson today on (insert a topic or issue of strong current and local interest), and I know you're gonna want to really get into it But before we pray and read our Scriptures, let me say again how happy we are to have Ron Huckleby as a part of our class.
Ron, this is your fourth Sunday with us and last Sunday you accepted Christ as Savior at the close of the morning worship service. I talked to you earlier in the week and I’d like to share with the rest of the class what you were telling me. What prompted you to come to Sunday school and to receive Christ as Lord?
Ron: Well, it’s kinda hard to put into words, but I came because Bill Johnson here asked me to. He had asked me before, but I’d always turned him down or made some excuse. This time I was ready, in fact, kinda hopin’ he’d ask me again...
Teacher: When you say you were "ready," what do you mean?
Ron: Oh, other people have invited me to church over the years, but I just wasn’t interested. And I wasn’t interested in Bill’s church either. But Bill’s been my neighbor now for 2 years, and I've had a chance to see what he is; not just what he says. I couldn’t help notice how he and his family lead a satisfying life. My own life seemed to be missing something.
Anyway, what clinched it for me was when I broke my leg on the job a few months ago. I was getting workmen’s comp, so we were getting’ by OK; but I couldn’t do anything around the house. During the whole time I was laid up, every time Bill mowed his own lawn, he mowed mine too....
Bill (Interrupts laughing): About once every 2 months!
Ron: No ... no.... It was more than that, more like every 2 weeks. And he took care of other stuff I couldn't get to. So I decided he had something I liked, something I needed. And if it was this relationship with God he’d told me about then I wanted to check it out
When he invited me to class again, I came. We even rode together. I liked what you did here, what I heard and felt. By last Sunday, I was really ready, so I went forward to meet Christ!
Teacher: And Bill went with you again. Well, praise God! That's exciting! And that's really how most folks come to Christ.
Let’s take a quick poll. How many of you were won to Christ through a revival meeting or crusade? (One or two class members should raise their hands.) OK, how many of you were reached for Christ through a radio or television ministry? (Again one or two hands should be raised.) Fine. Now, how many of you were won to Christ primarily through the life and witness of a Christian friend, neighbor, or family member? (Many individuals should raise their hands at this point including some who had indicated they made their decisions at revival or media invitations. That’s great! That’s a challenge to all of us. We can expect to win our family and friends.
Be a friend. Be a Barnabas! Live to meet someone’s need. Live to lead someone to Christ!
Let’s stop right here before we get on with the lesson and have special prayer for Ron, for Bill, and for all the rest of us to keep on following Christ and to show Him to others.
Others may be, as Ron said, "ready" for Jesus. If you are, the best time to come is right now. As Bob prays, just come forward and sit in one of these chairs. I’d like to pray with you.
Bob, will you lead us?
Bob stands and prays for the class. As he begins to pray, one or two class members should come forward. The teacher should move next to them. Then Bob should turn his prayer to the whole congregation–for the unsaved to come to Christ and the saved to become mature, fruitful disciples, lifestyle soul-winners!
Barnabas Sunday will climax with an all-church dinner following the morning service. Make this a friendship feast in every sense. Have members emphasize the meal when they invite others. Serve the dinner at the church or close by.
Act III-Priscilla, the Teacher
Sunday #3 spotlights the ministry of the teacher, who instructs the unsaved in the way of salvation and nurtures the new convert to spiritual maturity. The ministry of the Sunday school itself is personified in every teacher.
Priscilla is an especially appropriate example because women fill a significant role in Assemblies of God churches. With her husband Aquila, she won the respect of the apostle Paul and all the Gentile churches for her faithfulness in Christian service.
The Scriptures seem to imply that Priscilla was foremost in this ministry team, typically listing her first in greetings (Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19).
Paul stayed with this couple when he arrived in Corinth and worked with them at tent making. Though they were not religious professionals, they had far-reaching influence on the life and development of the Early Church.
They helped shape the dynamic ministry of the great preacher, Apollos. He went to Ephesus powerfully and eloquently preaching Jesus but, apparently, without complete awareness of the Holy Spirit
Priscilla and her husband invited him into their home to explain to him "the way of God more perfectly" (Acts 18:24-28). (in the following chapter, Paul meets a group of disciples who, like Apollos, knew only John's baptism. He instructs them further about Jesus, baptizes them as Christians and lays hands on them, whereby they receive the Holy Spirit as described in Acts 2.)
Paul called Priscilla and Aquila his "helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles" (Romans 16:3-5).
These dedicated lay workers were so close to the heart of God’s work that they opened their home to be the meeting place for the church. Much as dedicated Sunday school teachers do today, they supported themselves by secular means and volunteered their service in total commitment to the spiritual and eternal purpose of reaching the lost and training the saved.
Sunday #3 honors your "Teacher of the Year." The superintendent should assist the pastor in making the presentation during the morning service. You may prefer to name one "Teacher of the Year" in the children's department, one in the youth, and another in the adult area.
The Sunday school committee or the pastor and the superintendent should set the criteria for outstanding teachers and should make the actual selections.
Factors to consider should include the following: faithfulness in attendance; number of students added during the past year, number of students from the class saved, baptized in water, filled with the Holy Spirit and/or joining the church; participation in other church services, ministries and programs; role model qualities; interaction with pupils beyond the classroom; depth of Christian commitment as demonstrated in consistent testimony and loving service, and so on.
Local and personal factors, such as years of service, hardships or handicaps overcome, should also be considered.
Prepare for the award service by ordering plaques, trophies, gifts, or certificates to honor those chosen. Identify family members and former students of the individual(s) who receive special honors.
Select one or two former students to share brief testimonies of how their lives were touched or shaped for God by the "Teacher of the Year."
Take time during the program briefly to recognize and express appreciation to all members of the Sunday school staff.
Act IV-Paul, the Disciple-maker
This Sunday’s emphasis looks to the apostle Paul for insight into the principles of discipleship. His life and letters demonstrate that making disciples is a matter both of instruction and example.
Church growth researchers suggest that new converts take an average of 7 years to move from outside the church into the core of its ministry. Sunday school provides a ready vehicle to accelerate the process.
Christ’s charge to His followers was to go and teach, literally "make disciples of," all nations, baptizing them as His followers also, and teaching them to obey what He himself had taught (Matthew 28:19,20). The command encompasses both functions of the Sunday school–the evangelistic and the pastoral.
The word disciple is one of the most frequently used terms in the New Testament to describe Christians. It means "learner." As a verb, it means, "to convert into a disciple" or "to teach/train."
The word in Matthew 28:19 used to record Jesus’ command is derived from the same Greek word as disciple. It carries the basic meaning, "to enroll as a scholar" and, thus, "instruct, teach, or disciple." That sounds like Sunday school–" A Class Act" for fulfilling the Great Commission!
Paul summarized discipleship for the Philippians: "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you"(Philippians 4:9).
Every believer has a dual role in discipleship. Each is to be a learner, growing in Christlikeness, and each is to be an instrument, giving encouragement, example, and instruction to new believers.
Act IV, the program for this Sunday, is a dramatization from Paul’s second letter to Timothy. Characters include Timothy, Mark Priscilla, and Aquila. The setting is a modestly furnished house in first-century Ephesus. Characters are dressed to portray the time.
The scene opens with Timothy pacing the room, reading a scroll. Have an offstage narrator read the greeting from 2 Timothy 1 (New King James Version) over the church sound system, as if it were Paul’s voice in Timothy's mind. He should read through verse 7 before being interrupted by Mark's entry.
Mark enters the room and begins pacing with Timothy, straining to look over his shoulder at the scroll.
Mark: You did! You really did get another letter from Paul. What does he say? Has he been released? Is he coming back to Ephesus? Come on! Stand still and let me read too!
Timothy: No. He’s still in jail, but he’s had his first hearing. He’s cleared of any connection with the fire in Rome, bit he’s not optimistic about the charge of spreading an unlawful religion. Listen: (Timothy reads 2 Timothy 1. 8-14. All the verses to be read on stage should be written on the scroll A knock should sound at the door as Timothy nears the end of the reading.) Come in. (A woman and a man enter.) Priscilla! Aquila! I got another letter from Paul.
Priscilla: Has he been released? Is he coming?
Timothy: No ... no, he’s still a prisoner. He says everyone in Asia has turned away from him. No one’s with him, except Luke.
Aquila: What about Crescens, and Titus ... and Demas? What happened to Demas?
Timothy: Crescens is in Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia to minister. (Pauses) Demas has given up. He's gone back to Thessalonica.
(At this point Mark lowers his head and inconspicuously turns away from the others.)
Priscilla: Oh no! Not Demas? He started out so well.
Timothy: Paul does say Onesiphorus found him and served him well. He sends thanks to the family. And he ends you two his greetings. In spite of his situation, he’s very encouraging. In fact, every time we hear from Paul, it makes me more thankful for his teaching and the way he lives what he teaches. Here, let me read. (He reads 2 Timothy 2.1-9, 15, then 3:1-5 and 10-1 7)
Priscilla: Come on, Aquila. Let’s call the church together. Everyone will want to hear the news and go to prayer.
Timothy: Good idea. Then I’ll need your help. I’m leaving for Rome as soon as I can get everything together. He needed the cloak he left with Carpus at Troas. I hope I can get it to him before winter. Can you help me gather his books, especially the parchments? Priscilla and Aquila exit and Mark starts to follow
John Mark, there’s more. (Mark turns and takes a seat and Timothy continues reading, with deep feeling, 2 Timothy 4:1-8).
Mark: Timothy, tell him ... tell him I’m praying for him. And I will see him again. Count on it (Mark turns to leave, looking subdued.)
Timothy (After a pause, while looking at the scroll.): John Mark! He wants you to come!
Mark: He what!
Timothy: Paul wants you to come. (Draw out words for appropriate emphasis.) He says you can help him in the ministry.
Mark: Then I won't disappoint him! Let me get my things.
(Mark exits and Timothy resumes pacing and looking at the scroll. The offstage narrator reads 2 Timothy 4:16, 18, 22.)
Timothy: Amen
FOLLOWING UP
The "Class Act" campaign will help bring new people into your Sunday school. It will introduce and stress principles for reaching the unsaved and drawing them into active, mature involvement in the life and ministries of the church. But it’s up to you, the Sunday school staff and the congregation, to solidify the results and to make the campaign strategy your permanent practice.
Follow each Sunday with a special card of thanks to each guest and whatever other personal contact is appropriate. Involve members of the Sunday school in the follow-up, and turn it into a continuing visitation system.
At the close of the campaign, print a complete victory report in the Sunday bulletin and church newsletter, and hold a special victory celebration the week after the final Sunday. Tell what has happened during the past 4 weeks, stressing why it happened.
Thank the congregation and staff, and keep reminding them that Sunday school is "A Class Act" 52 weeks of the year.
