Roy J Harris

The P-E-A-R Formula Roy J Harris

The Purpose of the Sunday School/Bible Study. DON'T miss this. Most pastors simply do not know the purpose of the Sunday school. We have asked this question: "What is the purpose of Sunday school" and we almost always get this answer: "teach the Word of God". The answer to that answer cries from the pages of scripture: without knowledge we stumble, and often fail. The answer to the question "What is the purpose of Sunday school" is found in Matt 28: 19 Go ye therefore, and # 1 teach all nations, #2 baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 # 3 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. The purpose of the Sunday school is to carry out the great commission It is the reaching/teaching arm of the church, not the teaching/reaching arm of the church. Don't throw rocks at me, but I can prove this to anyone. A Sunday school organized for growth is many times more effective than any "soul winning only" program. Listen to DL Moody explaining: TWO-FOLD PURPOSE: 1- To carry out the great commission. It is the soul winning/outreach arm of the church. II- The Sunday School also has the purpose of helping to meet the spiritual needs of the people. If this is indeed the reason for our classes then we must ask ourselves the question, "Is my class meeting needs?" Let's look at some needs: 1. Is my class a soul-winning station? Am I providing soul-winning opportunities by organizing my class visitation program? 2. Does my class provide the proper fellowship that develops evangelistic and spiritual growth amongst the members? 3. Are there opportunities provided, through the class organization, that give class members a place to serve the Lord? 4. Am I providing the kind of classroom atmosphere that encourages soul winning and spiritual growth? 5. Are my lessons well prepared? Remember-building an evangelistic class that meets the spiritual needs of the people is the purpose of Sunday School!