MGBC Home © Myrtle Grove Baptist Church 5920 Lillian Hwy - Pensacola, Fl 32506 - 2011  - 850-455-7389 January 2011 I hope you were with us for the first Sunday in 2011. I’m really excited about the emphasis of “Making Disciples” and the Pastor’s message was right on target.  That caused me to reflect on the role we, as Sunday School Leaders, play in this process. Think back over the years to the Bible Study leader who had the greatest impact on your spiritual growth.  I’m sure several names come to mind.  For me I’m reminded of Ted, a teacher at my previous church in Alabama. Several attitudes made Ted a great leader for a small group.  Let me list some for you to consider: 1.RELATIONSHIP. Ted loved the people who were on his ministry list. That love translated into being concerned enough to know where each person was in their spiritual development and Ted would seek ways to help them move forward. We all knew we had at least one person concerned about our spiritual growth. 2.PREPARATION. Ted was prepared. He always started his study time on Sunday night after teaching Sunday morning. He was always looking ahead at future lessons trying to come up with creative ways to make an impact. He looked for ways to involve new people in teaching the lesson. He was a true student of God’s Word and challenged his class to know and live God’s Word. 3.ASSIMILATION. Ted was concerned with the growth of his class. We had the chance almost every year to give Ted a list of people who were not attending class and by the end of the year, he would have one of the largest classes because he contacted people and made them feel wanted. 4.BIG PICTURE. Ted was a “Team Player!”  He was always concerned about the overall purpose of our Sunday School, our outreach ministry in Sunday School, our care groups, our special emphasis in Sunday School.  Ted wanted the team to succeed, not just his class. He was one who was always telling me about someone in his class that needed to be asked to work someplace in the Sunday School because they were ready. He was not territorial about who he was given in his class or where they met. In fact, Ted would usually take all of the “bad circumstances” and make them work to grow a healthy, vibrant class. Not everyone is a Ted, but everyone can have “Ted-like attitudes” about their Sunday School class. His attitude impacted his preparation and his teaching. It impacted the lives that were touched, the disciples and leaders who were made. SEE YOU SUNDAY AT 9:15!! Chris