(note: part of the following edited)

The Internet contains more than 2 billion pages—a lot of information! But you have to look no further than LifeWay’s Web site to make Sunday School planning easier. Each week LifeWay offers timely, easy-to-find resources for every age group.

If you don't know your way around, it is time to discover all that LifeWay.com has to offer you as a Sunday School leader. If, on the other hand, you have visited the site, come along for the journey; you might discover something new along the way. To get the most out of the site, here is an nine-step plan to get you started. (You may need to print this article, to more easily follow the steps and get the most out of the Web site.)

Step 1: Go to the Sunday School section of the LifeWay Web site. Access the section by going to the LifeWay home page, then click on the ministry tab. In the drop menu, click on ministries. Choosing the Sunday School tab will take you to the Sunday School portal page. Here is a direct link to the Sunday School section.

Step 2: Available every week is a new lead article that highlights and supports the work of Sunday School ministry. On the portal page, quick links to online and ministry resources are provided. Note that a link to the Sunday School archive is at the bottom of the page. The archive is packed with past lead articles and other items of interest for Sunday School work.

Step 3: For the online age group sections, select the appropriate age group tab at the top of the Sunday School portal page for which you are planning. Teaching and planning helps are divided into Adult, Student and Childhood  sections. (Tip: To quickly return to the age-graded page, set a bookmark in your browser.)

Step 4: Print out the EXTRA! for Sunday School. This is a weekly age-graded teaching supplement. No matter the curriculum series your teachers use, there is an EXTRA for it. EXTRAs are posted every Wednesday—10 days in advance of the Sunday they will be used.

When introducing EXTRA! to your teachers, print out a copy for each of them. Encourage teachers with Internet access to print or download EXTRA! for themselves. Make copies available for those without Internet access. (Tip: Suggest teachers bookmark the EXTRA! page for their class.) 

Step 5: Sign up for eSource for Sunday School Leaders. eSource is a free monthly e-mail newsletter, designed to give you ideas to minister more effectively through Sunday School. It previews new articles and helps that are available on the Web site.

LifeWay offers other e-mail newsletters, including Adult Ministry Solutions, Student Ministry Zip, Childhood Ministry e-News. Go to the registration page for a complete list and to register. Preview them and take advantage of those that are helpful to you.

Step 6: Join the new LifeWay Community. Currently forums are open and featuring topics related to women's ministry needs. However, soon to come is a broader topic range for discussions in every ministry of the church, including Sunday School. In the community you will be able to exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn from others throughout the country who likewise are ministering through Sunday School. You will soon be able to post your questions and ideas on message boards to which others will respond. 

Step 7: If you are a division director or other Sunday School leader, visit the LifeWay Curriculum Guide in the left-hand side Ministry Tools box. The Curriculum Guide provides an overall view of what LifeWay Sunday School is all about. Every quarter curriculum samples from all age groups are uploaded, giving you a preview to the resource prior to purchase.

Step 8: Order Sunday School resources and other items online. Whether Sunday School curriculum, discipleship training resources, Vacation Bible School material or just shopping for the latest Christian book, you can do it online quickly and conveniently. Check out "How to Order on LifeWay.com."

Step 9: Begin planning and promoting training events. Check the Conference Centers & Events page for a schedule of upcoming national events. If your state convention has a Web site, check it out for state Sunday School conferences.

There is a wealth of online information to help you do Sunday School planning. LifeWay.com is a great place to start. Familiarize yourself with LifeWay’s Web site, and start using the resources you find there. You will benefit from them. Your teachers will benefit from them. Your Sunday School ministry will benefit from them.

Adapted from the March 2001 issue of The Sunday School Leader, pp. 18-19.

Ken Reaves is a pastor and freelance writer. He is the author of Going Online @ Home: How to Make the Internet a Family Activity, published by Broadman & Holman. Ken pastors First Baptist Church, Clewiston, Florida. You can contact Ken at ken@internetforfamilies.org.

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