Sabbath School Promotional Talk May 31, 2014

SABBATH SCHOOL REVITALIZATION SEMINAR

CHURCH GROWTH THROUGH SABBATH SCHOOL

DIVINE PLAN “God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ’s, we must share in His work. In order to enter into His joy,-the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice,--we must participate in His labor for their redemption. Desire of Ages pp. 142.3

DIVINE PLAN “The Sabbath school is an important branch of the missionary work, not only because it gives to young and old a knowledge of God’s Word, but also because it awakens in them a love for its sacred truth, and a desire to study them for themselves; above all, it teaches them to regulate their lives by its holy teachings” Counsels on Sabbath School Work, pp. 10,11.

DIVINE PLAN The Sabbath school, if rightly conducted, is one of God’s great instrumentality to bring souls to a knowledge of the truth” Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 115

SABBATH SCHOOL PROBLEMS  Majority

of Sabbath School teachers never had any training  Lack of fellowship  Felt needs were not met  Not enough participation in the class  Program is boring  Some do not study their lesson

We have a problem with Sabbath School teaching 

Too many Sabbath School teachers: – – – –

Don’t study Talk too much. Read from the Quarterly. Have little or no discussion. – Are not adequately trained.

NEEDS OF REVITALIZATION “Our Sabbath schools are not what the Lord would have them to be, for there is all together too much dependence placed upon form and machinery, while the life-giving power of God is not manifested for the conversion souls, for whom Christ died. The order of things must be changed if our Sabbath schools meet the purpose of which they exist” CSSW, p. 257.

SABBATH SCHOOL OBJECTIVES BIBLE

STUDY FELLOWSHIP COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORLD MISSIONS

Needs of SS Revitalization “How sad it is to think of the great amount of mechanical wok that is done in the Sabbath School, while there is little evidence that there is moral transformation in the souls of those who teach and who are taught”CSSW, p. 66.

Sabbath School Programming

Sabbath School Action Units

BLESSINGS OF SABBATH SCHOOL ACTION UNITS  FROM

20-100 IN SIX WEEKS, Portland Oregon.  FIFTY FAMILIES RETURNED: Holland, Michigan.  SIXTY BROUGHT BACK 31: Owasso, Michigan.  A TRANSFORMED CHURCH: Iona, Michigan. * Saginaw, Michigan.

BLESSINGS OF SABBATH SCHOOL ACTION UNITS  Bargamus

SDA Church, Italy  15 other churches in Italy

Sabbath School Action Unit       

Small classes – 6 to 8 persons SS Teacher: Group Discussion leader Outreach leader: Care Coordinator Class time: 60 minutes Introduction: 5 minutes Care Coordinator time: 20 minutes Lesson study: 35 minutes

THE FORMATION OF SMALL GROUPS  “The

formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort is a plan that has been presented before me by One who cannot err. If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members but for unbelievers also” Evangelism, p. 115.

A Crowded Church

SABBATH SCHOOL ACTION UNIT PLAN       

  

Classes of six to eight Outreach Leaders - Care Coordinator Outreach Plan Class Time - One Hour Time for Missing Class Members Time for Outreach Lesson Discussion Application Monthly Corporate Sharing Monthly Home Fellowship/Evaluation Weekly, then Monthly Leader Consultation

“Triangle of Learning” A child remembers: 10% of what he reads  20% of what he hears  30% of what he sees  50% of what he hears & sees  70% of what he says  90% of what he says & does 

10 20 30 50 70 90

•Based on research by the University of Texas

WAYS OF EVANGELISM FOR SS MEMBERS 

Use front a door evangelism

PHASE 1: Driveway/Parking Lot Ministry Welcome Desk

Sanctuary Doors

Your Church Building

Your Church’s Main Door

Your Driveway/Parking Lot

PHASE 2:

Church Door Ministry Welcome Desk

Sanctuary Doors

Your Church Building

Your Church’s Main Door

The key word in door ministry is courtesy.

PHASE 3:

Welcome Desk Ministry Welcome Desk

Sanctuary Doors

Your Church Building

Your Church’s Main Door

Develop a welcome pack . Point out . . . Ask questions.

PHASE 4:

Sanctuary Door Ministry Welcome Desk

Sanctuary Doors

Your Church Building

Your Church’s Main Door

Sanctuary doors are often formidable obstacles.

OPEN THE DOOR.

PHASE 5:

Seating Ministry Welcome Desk

Sanctuary Doors

Your Church Building

Your Church’s Main Door

Have certain church members seated in the congregation acting as receptionists.

WAYS OF EVANGELISM FOR SS MEMBERS Use front a door evangelism  Use saturation evangelism  Use the media for evangelism  Be super-aggressive outreach  Use fellowship evangelism  Use service evangelism  Use side door evangelism (reach friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors)  Use lifestyle evangelism  Share testimonies and experience  Follow up visitors 

THE LAW OF SEVEN TOUCHES  First

touch - phone call  Second touch - write a letter  Third touch - the secretary's phone call  Fourth touch - appointment letter  Fifth touch - the visit  Sixth touch - follow up - letter  Seventh touch -Saturday night friendly call

PRAYER Prayer

for growth Pray for specific goals Pray for converts Pray for eternal spiritual growth