Step 8: Evaluate
What comes to your mind when I say the word “evaluate”? If the image is negative, I want to change that. All too often, the images of inadequacy, failure or judgement, come to mind. But the kind of evaluation I want to describe helps us to improve, get better, and create greater opportunities for success.
Everyone feels inadequate at times, and, failure can make us want to never attempt something again. But often times, these are the very things that God uses to accomplish His greatest work. First of all, we can accomplish nothing for the Kingdom of God without Him. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. John 15:5 (CSBBible) Secondly, failure just means there is always a better way. In addition, sometimes in our failure, God can accomplish even greater things. 13I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (CSBBible)
Too often, we believe our success depends on us, when it doesn’t. God is the one at work in us accomplishing His purpose. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 (CSBBible) The purpose of evaluation is to identify the ways that God works in us and the ways we prevent Him from working. God always accomplishes what He desires to accomplish. We need to determine how to “better join God” in fulfilling the Great Commission through our church. God is perfect, we are not. Together we can do so much more than just a few of us alone. This truth is, this is what makes the Sunday School Challenge a great tool for your church.
You need an honest evaluation of how to do the Sunday School Challenge better the next time. God is at work. Honestly, He is waiting for us to get ready to do His work and see His handiwork with in our churches and communities.
What worked? What didn’t work? How could we involve more people in praying and preparing for the Sunday School Challenge? Who are the right people to be the Sunday School Champions? Which classes are ready to push the limits and which ones need to make smaller steps? How do we get more buy-in from the people in the seats? Are there areas of our Sunday School Ministry that we need to focus on more than others?
Asking good questions gets better results, making sure everyone is on the same page and attempting to work together for greater results. A good evaluation process will ensure that the next time you do the Sunday School Challenge, you will be better prepared, more unified and focused. Below are some articles and tools that can help you to evaluate your Sunday School and the Challenge.
