Frequently I find Sunday Schools that are happy the way they are.  They prefer to be "a body at rest."  They see no need for change.  No new leaders are needed.  No new classes or spaces are needed.  No new people need to be reached or assimilated.

I believe this attitude is contrary to God's purpose for the church and for the Sunday School.  God did not send Jesus into the world so it would stay the same.  Jesus came to change the world.  Jesus' words to us in the Great Commission are "Go and make disciples of all nations...."

What does this have to do with Sunday School and starting new classes and small group Bible study groups?  Consider this:  one of the best ways to add motion (momentum) to Sunday School is to start new classes/Bible study groups.  The enlistment of one or more new leaders adds energy.  The pursuit of new people for the new classes adds energy.  Think about the following statistics and their relevance for starting your next new class:

• On average, a new class/Bible study group will grow to 10 in attendance and 20 in enrollment in 12-18 months.
• On average only 1 out of 342 lost people will accept Jesus as Savior in 12 months if they attend worship only while 1 out of 3 will accept Jesus as Savior in 12 months if they attend Sunday School (according to Andy Anderson).
• After 5 years, we will only find 13% of church members who don't join Sunday School while we will be able to find 87% of those who are active in Sunday School (according to Thom Rainer).