When you teach a Sunday School class at church you may realize that you usually have at least one visitor each Sunday. The main reason for that is someone was invited to attend your church by a member, including a child. Make your visitors well appreciated by giving them a "Welcome Bag" just for being in your class.
Kids "Welcome Bags"
Children usually do a great deal of outreach among their peers at any age. Most parents who do not attend church will not mind if their child attends church with a friend. Reaching one child can reach an entire family, so it’s always good to promote outreach in your class. You may hold contests and other rewards for increasing visitors that visit your church. There are several ways you can make visitors feel welcome and invite them back.
When a visitor arrives in your room, most kids are shy and backward so it's best to not put them on the spot unless they seem outgoing. Allow them the opportunity to speak, but only if they want to. You want to establish a secure and inviting atmosphere and not an uncomfortable one. They may return if they feel comfortable. Teach your class as you normally would and when class is over you will want to provide your visitor with a visitor welcome bag. The contents inside the visitor bag may include items such as:
- "Jesus Loves You" pencil and notepad to write on
- Schedule of worship
- Phone number in case the visitor or the family has any questions or may need transportation to and from church
- Memory verse card. This card can be on an index card or you can have them made up like business cards that will encourage the child to go home and look up the verse
- You may want to talk to your church about purchasing pocket bibles to put in the welcome bags.
Teen "Welcome Bags"
When you have a teen visitor to your Sunday School class you will want to make them feel welcome and invited back again. You can put a visitor bag together just for teens. In a teen visitor bag you may choose to include:
- Pen and paper
- Church schedule
- Contact number for questions or for transport
- Teen study guide that you can purchase at your local Bible bookstore, or you can put one together highlighting important verses in the Bible that may be of help to teens for encouragement and solutions to problems that they may be going through
- You may also want to include a CD single of the latest Christian rock group. Out of curiosity most teens will listen to the CD and discover that they like it. You can also purchase the CD single at your local Bible bookstore or you can record them yourself to put in the visitor welcome bags.
Adult "Welcome Bags"
When adults attend your Sunday school class you will want to invite them back and have them bring their family with them. You will want to give them a welcome bag that will make them feel appreciated and invited without being pressured. In an adult welcome bag you may include:
- Pen and paper to take notes
- Study guide that highlights certain verses in the Bible that will explain why their presence in church is important and also a verse that will encourage them.
- You may also want to include a book of devotions for them to read on their own time.
Shaking hands and introducing someone is the best way to make someone feel welcome, and by giving them your time.
