A major barrier to growth is the limited view that Bible class time is only for instruction. This is the academic model that limits the class function where members are to come in, sit down, listen to a lecture, get up, and then leave. This model falls extremely short of the Bible class's incredible potential.

When we read about the early Christians gathering together, they spent time sharing fellowship, food, prayer, and instruction (Acts 2:42). Their gatherings appear to have multiple functions, not just one function. Bible classes that have adapted their meeting times in similar ways have found a renewed energy and productivity.

The first big step is for the leadership to study the possibilities and develop a vision for the Sunday School program for their own context. These articles are a good warmup. Also excellent books, resources, and workshops abound. Many useable ideas are in books like Growing Adults on Sunday Morning Knute Larson, 10 Sunday Schools That Dared to Change by Elmer Towns, and You Can Double Your Class in Two Years or Less by Josh Hunt. You know the saving, "Eat the meat and throw away the bones." The information is there; the question is will we use it.

Next the leaders will need to help members catch the vision, and especially the class leaders and teachers. Human nature is to prefer the familiar even when it's promoting apathy and decline, so patience and persistence are needed. If the Bible class program lacks energy and participation, it didn't get that way overnight and neither will it change overnight.

One way to measure the vitality of your Bible class program is by the level of participation. If 85% or more of your morning assembly attendance is attending classes, you are m the excellent range. If you have 75% or more, you are in a positive range. At 70% participation, you are in the average category, and below 70% is an indication of potential problems.