Wright Track Ministries

6675 Moondance Drive

Olive Branch, MS 38654

(662) 890-6398

WTVU Leadership Lesson 2

The Care and Feeding of a Sunday School Leader

Lesson Objectives:

This is not in of itself a lesson but a guideline on some things that leaders can do to help themselves and other leaders to grow and mature.  As a Sunday School Superintendent / teacher / worker you are indeed an important part of your church's evangelism and discipleship efforts. This is a high calling from God and should be treated as such. How do you care for yourself as a leader and for other leaders? The following list may give you a few ideas.

1. Maintain your personal relationship with God. Your top priority as a Sunday School Leader is your relationship with God. The ultimate Sunday School Leader is Jesus Christ, God’s Son. We should strive to let Jesus live through us so that others might see Him.

2. Recognize that you are a leader, regardless of how big or small your circle of influence. Your own self-identity as a leader is extremely important. Only when you recognize your leadership ability and position can you and the Holy Spirit begin to develop it. God will not make you into something you that refuse to accept or acknowledge. For example, God will not forgive a person that never asks for forgiveness. If you ignore the calling of God to do something, well.............. remember Jonah!

3. Seek ways to constantly develop your leadership skills. Look for seminars or conferences that will help you develop your skills. Associate and communicate with people who can help you develop your skills. Commit to being a lifelong learner. Read books and other materials in the area you are working in. Wright Track Ministries offers conferences for this purpose.

4. Find or become a mentor. A leader should be constantly learning from those "above" him or her. Sunday School Leaders know that it's better to learn from someone else's mistakes than to make them yourself. A good mentor will help you avoid mistakes. Consider being a mentor for someone who is new in the service of the Lord in the Sunday School.

5. Think and pray. You most powerful tools as a leader is your relationship with Jesus Christ and your mind. Cultivate your relationship with Jesus through daily prayer. Develop your mind. Associate yourself with Godly people who study, and desire to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ . Engage in activities that build your mind and your spirit. Listen. Ask questions. Examine. A leader is always praying, thinking, learning, growing, and looking for opportunities to share Jesus with others. Many Christians are willing to give God their hearts but do not want to surrender their minds.

6. Develop your network. Sunday School Leaders should know "who to ask" and "are not afraid to ask." Develop a network of experts and resource people. This can be done through sharing in WTVU's  "Tips and Ideas" found in various areas on this website. Wright Track Ministries is committed to helping your Sunday School grow. We are providing this place to share so that you can share ideas, encourage one another, and strengthen the overall effectiveness of your Sunday School. Maintain close ties with your these relationships. Keep the doors open with people of all different skills and talents, as a leader you will never know when you might need their services.

7. Don't be afraid to take risks. Be bold in what you do for Christ.

8. Follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. To be an effective leader you must be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

9. Always allow time for yourself. Even Jesus took time for himself and had to get away from the crowd every now and then. Adequate rest, preparation, education, and prayer time is needed by every leader. 

Assignment

With prayerful consideration, answer the following questions:

1. From the leadership position you are in, what can you do to add some of these things to your Care and Feeding ?

2. If you have Sunday School leaders under you, what can you do to help with the Care and Feeding of them?

JER for NMW3  10-15-2000