Adults will find it easier to miss Sunday School classes, small groups, or other Bible study groups that engage in practices they can’t buy into or that make them uncomfortable.
Bible teachers must figure out how they can address these concerns while still standing firm on the truth of God’s Word.
When adults feel the class is a place that lacks the following, they will be less likely to want to be there:
1) a place that lacks authenticity (hypocritical)
2) a place that lacks grace (legalistic, judgmental)
3) a place that lacks unconditional acceptance (intolerant, unfriendly)
4) a place that lacks depth (shallow, trite answers to life)
5) a place that lacks unity (political, drama-filled)
Adult Bible classes characterized or perceived by the above deficiencies are also missing another very important key ingredient. They lack focus on Jesus who came to bring just the opposite of the above. Jesus said,
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (Jn. 10:10)
This article is included as a handout in the Reaching All Age Levels Resource with a brief explanation of each of the above points. The resource also includes similar articles for the other age groups. It provides you with a teacher training group session in which you gather teachers of all age groups for a PowerPoint presentation followed by breakout sessions to personalize it according to age levels.