Sunday School is not to be like school. Your class is not to imitate an academic class because you are not a teacher who imparts information.

Groups—whether Sunday School style or home groups—are a microcosm of the church. They are the main place where we live out church life together. Here are 12 tips on turning your group into a hothouse of community.

1. Vision cast.

Everything starts with vision. Vision from the pastor, Sunday School teacher or small group leader. The vision is that a group is not just about delivering content or studying the Bible. It is also about getting to know one another, creating community and love. We can't love each other if we don't know each other. Group is about getting to know God and each other.

2. Arrange the chairs.

Circles are better than rows.

3. Ask good questions.

Question and answer is the best way to teach adults. I believe in this so much I write three fresh, new lessons a week. For details, see www.joshhunt.com/vault.htm.

4. Begin with a get-to-know-you time.

You can do this one of three or four ways:

* Start with a get-to-know-you question. Here is an example: "Let's start today with everyone introducing themselves and describing their favorite dessert." By opening the door of each person's life each week, you help people to know each other, little by little. If I can, I try to relate this question to the topic of the day. If I can't think of a way, I still ask the question. Over time, people will learn a lot about each other: job, favorite this or that, birth order, kids, hobbies and so forth.

* Have one person give a five-minute overview of their life: where they were born, where they have lived, marriage, kids and key points of their spiritual life.

* Allow everyone in the group to ask one question of another person in the group.

* Arrange chairs so that people face each other in huddles of about four. Place a question on the chairs to spark discussion. This way, as soon as people walk in they start talking.

Or course, once the group gets to know one another, these kind of icebreakers are  unnecessary, and sometimes a nuisance.

5. End with prayer requests.

I don't start with prayer requests as they tend to go too long. We want to create community, but we don't want it to take the whole hour. Reserve some time at the end for prayer requests.

6. Be vulnerable.

If you want people to open up and be honest, you have to open up and be honest. They will not do what you do not do, no matter how much you talk about it.

Of course, like many things in life, balance is of the essence. There is such a thing as sharing too much with too many people. Most groups, however, err on the side of being too formal and stuffy. Tell us what is happening, really.

7. Party.

Sunday morning is only part of group life. Groups need to get together at other times as well. I recommend you have a once-a-month "all skate" party where you invite every member and every prospect. I also recommend scheduling other events as time allows. Have people into your home. Go out to lunch with them during the week. Eat together after church. Enjoy sporting events together.

8. Mission projects.

It's not enough to learn together, play together and talk together. Do things together. Go on mission trips, work, build and travel together. Look for ways to accomplish things for God together. Help each other move. Shared common experiences build community.

9. Open your home.

It's hard to imagine having a friend whose home I had not been in or who had not been in mine. There is something about sharing life together in each other's homes that builds community.

10. Tell your story.

We don't just have one story. We have dozens. Stories you can tell: having kids, spiritual highlights and struggles, career, geographical travels, how you learned to be consistent in your quiet time or how you discovered your spiritual gifts.

11. Be there for each other.

In every life rains will come. Sooner or later they will come to the people in your group. When the rains come, hold an umbrella for a friend.

Or course, the rains are not the problem. Storms—really bad storms—will come to everyone. When they do, be there for each other. Do all you can, but mostly be there.

Be at the hospital and funeral home. Take the time. Take the trip. Pay the price. Be there. If money is the need, take up an offering. Share the burdens of life. Watch the kids. Clean the house. Fix the meals. Do what you can. Be there.

12. Eat.

There is something about eating together. Eat often. Eat a lot. Studies prove that the more unhealthy the food, the better the community. (I just made that up.)

Create a calendar where people can sign up to bring snacks. Go to lunch after church. Have food with your fellowships.

Sunday School is not a school. It is not a class. It is a microcosm of the church. Be the church to each other. Don't just go to church; be the church. Do what churches do. Do all the one another stuff:

Love one another.
Serve one another.
Bear with one another.
Admonish one another.
Forgive one another.
Listen to one another.
Encourage one another.

Life is better when it is lived together.

Josh Hunt is the author of You Can Double Your Class in Two Years or Less and speaks nationally on church growth and adult education. You can contact him at http://www.joshhunt.com.