"The Passion of the Christ" film will change Easter for millions of Americans this year and one church is hoping it will impact Sunday school, according to A/G-News.

The Assemblies of God Sunday School Department posted a new Web page with special materials to use in connection with the Mel Gibson movie and the local church.

Some resources are free, others must be purchased. Also avaliable onthe site are articles and guidelines for sharing Christ, and outreach ideas.

"The initial impact of this movie has been stunning -- people are talking about Jesus everywhere," said Sharon Ellard, Sunday School promotions coordinator.

"Of course, its impact will be felt again once it's released for home video. This media phenomenon opens a window of opportunity to connect those who want to know more about Jesus with the local church."

The national headquarters of the Assemblies of God does not endorse the movie. That decision is left up to the local church. But the group does recognize that the movie has provided a "wide open door" for involving people in Bible studies about Christ and inviting those who want to know Jesus to come to church.

One of the resources highlighted on the new Sunday School Web page is the new "Learning to Live the LIFE" booklet, produced by the national Sunday School Department.

"The opening pages of the LIFE booklet, talk about Jesus and His love for people. Any person who wants to know more about Jesus is invited to learn more in Sunday School," explains Ellard. "One of the best places to learn about Jesus is in the small group setting of Sunday School.

"The movie has generated a great deal of interest in Christ and many questions," Ellard continues. "However, a worship service setting typically isn't intended to field and respond to questions, but a Sunday School setting is designed for interaction."

Research also shows that Sunday School involvement is key to assimilating new people.

"According to researcher and author Thom Rainer, nearly seven out of ten formerly unchurched people choose to become active in Sunday School," Ellard says.

"Rainer's research also concluded that new Christians who immediately became active in Sunday School were five times more likely to remain in the church five years later than those who were active in worship services alone."