Josh, maybe in the old days going live was true. And, being live is how I have done SS training for years. But... I can only be in one place at a time. Using this video, we have already trained over 4,000 teachers in about l0 days. That is with 39 churches reporting so far, out of 273 that have registered to participate. I could never have spoken in 39 places in 10 days or had this kind of attendance. I'm no Stetzer! As my pastor told me, "Ed Stetzer will probably never be in my church in person. This video is the next best thing." The other key aspect here is decentralized training. We are finding fewer and fewer lay people who want to travel to a SS clinic. But they will attend when the clinic is in their own church and their church "owns" the training. The other key is that the Stetzer video is only about 1/3 of the training. We have written materials that a local church can implement itself, using their own people. We are elevating the role of the Sunday School teacher. So each One Day event is decentralized (does not need BGCO support or dollars) and it is customizable (the local church uses its own leaders and downloads the training sessions that is most appropriate). Cost is minimal and impact is maximized.

Jayna... ha ha ha, it has been too long since I read the story of Snow White to my precious little daughter. That will teach me to make sure I do proper documentation!

Great posts everyone. I am reminded of Hebrews 12:2.."keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith."

Michael, I don't have a formula or a program for evangelistic prayer lists. Tomorrow's post will have some actual stories of people reached through evangelistic prayer lists. One list had been up on the wall for a year when the pastor showed it to me. The primary importance of the prayer list is to engage the class members with the spiritual discipline of evangelistic prayer. It also serves as a reminder to class members as they see their friends and neighbors through the week that they need to build relationships and share the gospel with their friends.

Alan, congratulations... you've won a copy of Alan Taylor's new book, Sunday School in HD. I've got to ask... VBC?

First, let me say that I wish I had the silver bullet that fixed the issue of what to do with people enrolled in SS but never attend. I'd write the book on it... But, here is a suggestion if you have a number of people on your "ministry list" that rarely (read - "never") attend. Applying pressure on the class to minister to them 52 weeks a year results in frustration. I recommend periods of emphasis. Pick a couple of months a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Ask your classes to organize themselves to contact every member every week for a month. Following this month, don't officially "end" the emphasis. A couple of things will have happened: 1) Some of those people on the class ministry list will start attending again. 2) Some people that have perhaps moved away or joined another church can be removed. 3) A habit of contacting everyone will have been formed. This habit will eventually grow weaker, which is why you do it again 5-6 months later.

Alan, I don't see the mentioned comment, and I just checked my Typepad dashboard which keeps a record of all comments to my blog. I will say, this has happened before to David Francis... I guess sometimes these things just get a glitch or something! Feel free to repost your comment. You've still got two days left to win the book. I'm pulling for ya!

Linda, I just met with the directors of our adult departments at our church. I am not sure you can "program" discipleship. Heaven knows we Baptists have tried! I am learning from these directors. Our leaders will essentially reproduce what they see in us. A time of confession here... I am realizing that some of my key leaders see me as being busy, maybe too busy for them. I am convicted that I need to talk less about my busy schedule, and make time to hang out with them. Maybe September might be "30 Days of Discipleship"!!

Great comments everyone. Our purpose as Sunday School or small group leaders is to make disciples. Bible study, fellowship, ministry, etc. are some of the "functions" of a Sunday School... but they are not the "purpose"! We need to see every person in our groups for who they are... they are either a missionary of Jesus, or about to become one!

Carey > I'm excited to have you as part of the dialogue. We'll keep the posts coming throughout the August emphasis on Sunday School... and we will continue other SS related posts through the year as well.

*laffin Very good Mike. Nice touch, and One Day is definitely a step in the right direction. Thank you for your endorsement. I'm sure that you are just practicing, but the book give-away begins on Sunday, Aug 2!!

Anthea, thank you for your great post. Something I've learned is that we can all be learners, whether we agree with the author's premise or not. And great correction by the way about "Bible stories". You are exactly correct about children associating story as something that is fiction. So what do you call them "across the pond"?

Ed.. running or walking? hhhmmmmm... Figure out a point system and we'll add it. Maybe cycling or stationary bike too?

Accountability is the name of the game! I've had several folks email me wanting to participate. We may have enough to form teams and have some fun with this...

Roger.. then we'll be getting healthy together in spirit! I'm looking forward to the discipline required to do this and hope some people will help hold me accountable.