The Purpose of Christian Education Through Christian education we invite persons and communities of faith to be transformed as they are inspired and challenged to: Know and experience God through Jesus Christ, Claim and live God's promises, and Grow and serve as Christian disciples. As you evaluate, plan, and implement small group ministries, use the above purpose statement with your ministry team and small group leaders. Talk together about what you hope to accomplish. Invite teachers to identify the knowledge and skills they need to provide spiritual leadership for their groups. On Christian Education Sunday share information with the congregation about your plans for small groups in the coming year.

In the fast-paced, technologically advanced world of the 21st century, there are a multitude of ways to stay in touch with friends, family, and co-workers: e-mail, cell phones, videoconferences, digital cameras, the Internet. And if those toys are a little "over the top" for us, we can always rely on the plain ol' telephone or postal service. In fact, it is so simple to contact anyone at any time that Reba McEntire had a hit country tune a few years ago called "Tell Me Why Haven't I Heard from You?".

Yet rarely a day goes by without reports of murders, riots, domestic violence, abuse, or civil war somewhere in the world. Our ability to communicate quickly and easily does not guarantee healthy communication or healthy relationships.

In the midst of this complex and often paradoxical world, the church is called to live and serve. The faith we share proclaims a God who has created us for relationship, a God whose nature is loving, compassionate, and merciful. As we gather in worship and in small groups, we seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who came that we might have peace with God and live in harmony with one another.

Take a few minutes to think about the small groups offered through your congregation. Some may be Sunday school classes; others may be weekly Bible studies, prayer groups, or mission groups. Other groups may be short-term, meeting to study a particular issue or to accomplish a specific task. Some may involve a large number of people, while others include only a few.

Regardless of size, format, and schedule for meeting, each of these groups provides opportunities for children, youth, and adults to experience Christian community -- community centered in Jesus Christ and focused on living as disciples in the world. Small groups in the church should provide hospitable, safe places for people to explore their relationship with God, discover their spiritual gifts, practice spiritual disciplines, and find support and encouragement to grow in God's grace. Small groups in the church should be places of hospitality -- welcome, acceptance, and belonging in the name of Christ.

Christian Education Sunday provides an opportunity to promote and celebrate your small group ministries. Often held in September, it may be celebrated on any Sunday of your choice. Some annual conferences have designated a Sunday for a special offering to support the educational ministries of your conference. Contact your annual conference leadership for information about special offerings, as well as teacher development opportunities through the district or conference.

You will find suggestions for celebrating small group ministries in this leaflet. The worship resources on page 3 will help you dedicate your teachers and your congregation to the task of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Use this Sunday as an opportunity to emphasize the opportunities for developing your relationships with God, with God's people, and with God's creation. Teachers and other small group leaders can use the ideas on page 2 to build relationships in their classes or groups. The workshop for teachers on page 6 provides practical help for leading prayer and sharing in small groups. Use resources from the bibliography below with your education team, small group leaders, or adult groups.

Paul's letter to the church in Rome reminds us that we are the body of Christ. One of the ways we experience this reality is in small groups. In the coming year may your congregation be blessed as you offer settings for children, youth, and adults to share together as they encounter the living God and respond faithfully to God's grace.

As you evaluate, plan, and implement small group ministries, use the above purpose statement with your ministry team and small group leaders. Talk together about what you hope to accomplish through small groups. Invite teachers to identify the knowledge and skills they need to provide spiritual leadership for their groups. On Christian Education Sunday share information with the congregation about your plans for small groups in the coming year.

A diaconal minister in the Tennessee Conference, Carol F. Krau is Director of Christian Formation and Spiritual Leadership Development, General Board of Discipleship, The United Methodist Church.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bradford, Grace. Guide for Class Leaders: A Model for Christian Formation. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1999.

Foundations: Shaping the Ministry of Christian Education in Your Congregation. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1993.

Kirkpatrick, Thomas G. Small Groups in the Church: A Handbook for Creating Community. Alban Institute, 1995.

Krau, Carol F. Keeping in Touch: Christian Formation and Teaching. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1999.

Krau, Bunyi, Westfield, Brown, Bruce, and Marshall. A Faithful Future: Teaching and Learning for Discipleship. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1999.

Newby, James. R. Gathering the Seekers. Alban Institute, 1995.

Roehlkepartain, Jolene L. and Eugene C. Prescription for a Healthy Church: Ministry Ideas to Nurture Whole People. Loveland: Group, 2000.

Savage, John S. Listening and Caring Skills in Ministry: A Guide for Pastors, Counselors, and Small Group Leaders. Nashville: Abingdon, 1996.

Ware, Corinne. Connecting to God: Nurturing Spirituality through Small Groups. Alban Institute, 1997.