An effective way to show appreciation to Sunday School/small group leaders

by Diana Davis

They’re on the front line of ministry in your church, dedicating countless hours every week to Bible lesson preparation, outreach contacts, and ministering to class members. Your church’s Sunday School (small group) leaders impact lives, from preschoolers to senior adults.

Need fresh ideas for showing appreciation for their faithful ministry?

Print an annual bulletin insert, listing all Sunday School/small group teachers of the church. List their names under their “sending” Bible class, the one they’d attend if they weren’t serving as a teacher. Beside each name, indicate the age group they lead, such as preschool or adult. Challenge the church to pray faithfully for these leaders.

There’s no greater compliment to an adult Bible teacher than launching leaders to serve, so this list will encourage adult teachers. Adult classes can be the greatest supporters and encouragers for their members-in-service. Challenge adult classes to honor and support them frequently, using some of these ideas:

Create a “wall of honor” display in your classroom, featuring their photos and class names. Leave room for additional teachers, and update the display frequently.
Pray for them in class often. Text them a note that you’re praying.
Take a brief “field trip” during the last minutes of class one week to stroll past rooms where your class members serve in Sunday School. Snap an action photo to send.
Send email or snailmail encouragement notes.
Help with a specific need for the class they teach, i.e. equipment, transportation, Bibles for newcomers, toy for child classroom.
Feature their photo and update on your class newsletter or Facebook group page.
Provide a substitute teacher when they go on vacation.
Invite them to report about how God is working. The testimony could be given as a brief presentation during a class fellowship.
Be intentional about personally inviting them to class fellowship events, and welcome them warmly. As you get to know them, it’s easy to pray.
Keep their names on your class phone lists, newsletters and email lists. Put a star by their names to remind members to pray for them as they serve.
A simple “thank you” or “I pray for you” can be a great encouragement.

The annual updated “launch list” not only encourages adult classes to send out leaders, but it helps them celebrate and encourage all those who serve outside the class.