I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. I will establish and multiply them and will set My sanctuary among them forever. Ezekiel 37:26 HCSB
I have taught Sunday School leadership conferences across the country. One principle I have consistently tried to convey to the conferees is the principle of multiplication. Every Sunday School class should have the goal of reaching new people and growing to the point that they need to multiply and birth a new class. Too many times a Sunday School class becomes comfortable with where they are and ceases to effectively reach new people. The class is always friendly to newcomers but does not actively seek new members. The Great Commission that Jesus gave His disciples and also gives to us as His disciples is to go and make disciples. Sunday School classes and churches need to focus on others instead of themselves.
This verse paints a picture of God providing peace to the people of Israel. God promised His people that they would be fruitful and multiply. They would grow in numbers and God would be with them forever. Ezekiel 34:25-31 provides more information about this covenant between God and His people.
Challenge: Are you reaching out to new people? Is your Bible Study class growing? When was the last time you invited someone to come to your Bible Study class? How many classes have been birthed out of your class? What can you do to help your Bible Study class to start thinking about multiplying and starting a new class? Would you be willing to leave your current class to help start a new class so more people could be reached and your church can grow?