Curriculum-free Sunday school?  Yes!  Why has church bound the Bible to Sunday school curriculum booklets, when it can speak directly to & through ordinary people?

For years I have led curriculum-free adult Sunday school classes.  When this concept is first introduced, people are a little resistant about not having a little Sunday school booklet to direct the class.  However, they soon get caught up in the Holy Spirit’s activity. 

Here’s how curriculum-free Sunday school works:

1) Choose the book of the Bible that the group wants to study.
2) Have someone read a section (usually a few paragraphs).
3) Let people make comments, ask questions, and share their insights with one another.
4) Make sure the leader serves a facilitator (not as a lecturer or booklet reader) and gives everybody the opportunity to share.  One way to do this is to set a two or three-minute time limit on comments.  Another way is to occasionally say:  “Now let’s let someone who hasn’t shared yet have a turn.

It is that simple.  But don’t let the simplicity keep you from trying curriculum-free Sunday school — it is very powerful.  The Holy Spirit shows up and ordinary people become eloquent and full of spiritual wisdom.  Try it.

If you want to experience curriculum-free adult Sunday school in action, we have a class at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville, TN 37207 on Sundays at 9:30 am.  (Currently we are going through Ephesians.)  Come and check it out sometime.