By Richard H. Gentzler. Jr.

A setting for a new Sunday school class that your congregation may be overlooking could be just around the corner or down the street. Formerly these settings were called "Rest Homes" or "Old Folks' Homes." Today, we know them as nursing homes, assisted living, or continuing care retirement communities.

Such a setting might well be the perfect location to start a new Sunday school or mid-week class. Yet, we often fail to recognize the need for such a ministry. We know that the mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Marie White Webb indicates that while this task includes making new disciples, "It also includes enriching the lives of those who may have been disciples for a long time" (Building a Ministry for Homebound and Nursing-Home Residents by Marie White Webb. Discipleship Resources, 2003, page 9).

A successful Sunday school class requires a team of two or more people. As a general rule, two people can conduct a class of up to 12 to 15 residents. One person can serve as the leader/teacher and the other as the musician/piano player and/or song leader. As the class size grows, more team members may be needed. Although the team may consist of people with varied abilities, what is most important is that team members should be compassionate and display a loving spirit.

The best place for the group may be the room at the nursing home where residents are used to congregating. That room usually contains a piano and/or organ. Base the day and time for the group on the needs of the residents and the administration of the nursing home. Hold the classes at a consistent time each week and be sure leaders are dependable in conducting the class on a regular basis. 

To set up the class in a nursing home near you, it is advisable that an interested, informed lay person, together with the pastor, contact the nursing home. The lay person should be one of the team members who will be present for the class. Members of the Christian education committee or director of Christian education may also want to be present. If the class is held at a time other than Sunday morning, you have the opportunity to invite people with the time, ability, and commitment to teach who aren't available for the traditional Sunday school.

It is helpful to remember that less than 5% of people 65 years of age and older reside in nursing homes or other long term health care facilities. These are people just like those we meet each day. The only difference is that they have grown old, may be frail, and may be experiencing multiple chronic conditions and/or dementia. The normal aging process does not change people, nor does it change their need to be loved and accepted.

As you ponder the opportunity for enlarging your Sunday school ministry, keep in mind the following questions:

• How many people in your congregation live in nursing homes, assisted living, or continuing care retirement communities?
• Do you have any nursing homes, assisted living, or continuing care retirement communities in your geographic area? Are the residents offered an opportunity for Bible-based studies or classes other than worship?
• Do you have persons in your congregation who feel called to this special ministry and who would be willing to teach older adults in this setting?
• Would your congregation support this type of ministry through prayer, gifts, and service?  

Richard H. Gentzler is Director of the Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministries at GBOD.

Adult Bible Studies.  (Cokesbury) Large print Bible study curriculum material from The United Methodist Publishing House.

Building a Ministry for Homebound and Nursing-Home Residents  by Marie White Webb. (Discipleship Resources, 2003).

Mature Years. (Abingdon) Large print Bible study resource from The United Methodist Publishing House

Rock of Ages: A Worship and Songbook for Retirement Living.  (Discipleship Resources, 2002).