He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. It was an offer too good to turn down. What was the offer? Maybe it was an offer to discover who God is, who Jesus is, and why He came to live on this earth. Maybe it was an offer to find peace and hope regardless of life’s circumstances—peace and hope only possible through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Maybe it was an offer to discover how to have a healthy family--finding God’s plan for families. You could add more, but you get the idea. In reality, when friends invite friends to attend Sunday School; these offers or invitations are why we should expect them to say “yes.”

In The Unchurched Next Door, Thom Rainer shared some insights related to inviting. His research found 82% of the unchurched were at least “somewhat likely” to attend church if they are invited. Most of the unchurched also have a positive view about pastors, ministers, and the church. The unchurched also indicated they would like to develop a real and sincere relationship with a Christian. (Thom S. Rainer, The Unchurched Next Door (Grand Rapids:Zondervan, 2003), 23-30)

Why wouldn’t friends expect friends to say “yes” to offers to attend Sunday School? A friend refusing the invitation is not usually the problem. The problem is usually friends don’t invite friends to attend Sunday School. So what do friends do? Here are a few suggestions.

1.    The easiest and simplest is to invite them. Offer to meet them at a specific time and place at the church so you may accompany them throughout their experience at church.

2.    Talk about some of the things you and your class wrestle with in Bible study. As opportunities arise, make comments such “I am in a Bible study group that meets each week and these are the kinds of things we wrestle with there.”

3.    Talk about how you have seen people’s lives changed in your Sunday School class. Be sure to share some of your personal experiences in how God is working in your life. 

4.    Connect your everyday conversations and activities with things that remind you of Sunday School and, more importantly, with your relationship with Jesus Christ. Gifts, books you are reading, movies, local news stories, etc. are great opportunities to make invitations to friends. For example, at the birth of a child I always give a copy of one of my favorite children’s books, Guess How Much I Love You? I write a note in the book indicating how much the book reminds me that new parents will soon understand their children can never fully understand a parent’s love until they are a parent. I will add how that reminds me of how I’ll never understand God’s love. I’ll also add a scripture reference such as John 3:16. I may also add a reference to raising children such as Prov. 22:6 or Deut. 6:4-9. As I give the gift I have a great opportunity to invite these new parents to join me in finding out more about how they can try to discover God’s love for them and how they can grow a healthy family. I can use the same gift ideas for grandparents.

5.    As friends encounter crises or know others who do, talk about things you see and hear during those times. For example, if you lost your job, what do you think you would do? If you found out your child had incurable cancer, how would you cope with something like that? This is a great time to share how you don’t have all the answers to life’s questions but you can wrestle with them and share these journeys with other believers in your Sunday School class. When you have personal crises, remind friends how you can still find peace and hope through your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I have found people shocked by my sharing I know there are people in my Sunday School class I can call at 4am if I need them. Talk specifically about how your Sunday School class ministers to one another in times of crisis.

6.    If your friends do not know Christ as personal Lord and Savior, pray for them by name. Tell them you are praying for them by name. Write them notes and just tell them occasionally. Some people fear they may embarrass friends. I find friends are touched by knowing you care about them. You can tell them your relationship with Jesus Christ is so important that you don’t know how you would manage living without Him. Because it is so meaningful, you could only want something this good for your friend. You aren’t being pushy or judgmental—you’re showing your care and love for your friend.

7.    Expand your circle of friends. Develop new friendships with people who may not be followers of Jesus Christ. Start with places you already frequent and things you already love to do. If you go through the same drive through window for your favorite cup of coffee each morning, leave a few minutes earlier to go in. You’ll find many of the same people there each morning at the same time. What a great opportunity to develop new friendships. The soccer field, the gym, your civic club—you get the idea. Just be sure to invite them to join you in Sunday School.
 

Friends care about friends, so why not care about the most important decision they will ever make? Granted, attending Sunday School does not make one a follower of Christ. However, hearing, understanding and obeying the Word of God can. Friends should expect friends to say yes to the invitation to attend Sunday School.

Belinda Jolley is the Director of the Adult Ministry Office of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Email Belinda to share your ideas of how you are inviting friends to Sunday School.