Developing Sabbath School Action Units Sabbath School Department

Developing Sabbath School Action Units Sabbath School Department Southern Africa Indian Ocean Division

Ø There is a decline of Sabbath School attendance in many churches. Ø Nearly 20% of those who have been Sabbath School Problems Adventists from 4 – 10 years never study the BSG lessons. Ø The comparison between church books and Sabbath School attendance shows a large number of missing members. Ø The majority of teachers have never had any training.

Sabbath School Problems Many people don’t come to Sabbath School today. Or if they do, they come so late. Why is this so?

§ Lack of warm fellowship and support by fellow members Sabbath School Problems § Church services that do not meet people’s felt needs

“Our Sabbath schools are not what the Lord would have them to be, for there is altogether too much dependence placed upon form and machinery, while the life-giving power of God is not manifested for the conversion of souls, for which Christ died. This order of things must be changed if our Sabbath schools meet the purpose for which they exist …” - CSSW, p. 156.

“How sad it is to think of the great amount of mechanical work that is done in Sabbath school, while there is little evidence that there is moral transformation in the souls of those who teach and who are taught!” - TSSW, p. 72.

“There is much to be done in the Sabbath school work, in bringing the people to realize their obligation and to act their part. God calls them to work for Him, and the ministers should guide them their effort. ” - 5 T p. 256.

Sabbath School has four objectives: Sabbath School Objectives Bible study Fellowship Community outreach World mission emphasis

Sabbath School Objectives These objectives can best be achieved through the Sabbath School small groups called “Action Units. ”

Advantages of Sabbath School Action Units The small group Sabbath School Action Units can provide the potential for the adherence of the divine imperatives for a finished work.

§ “The church must realize its Basic Divine Imperatives for a Finished Work obligation to carry the gospel of present truth to every creature” (CS, p. 111). § “The work will never be finished until the membership unites in the work” (GW, p. 352). § “Every church should be a training school for Christian workers” (MH, p. 149).

§ “The greatest help that can be Basic Divine Imperatives for a Finisned Work given our people is to teach them to work for God, and to depend on Him, not on ministers” (7 T, p. 19). § “The Sabbath school should be one of the greatest instrumentalities and the most effectual in bringing souls to Christ” (CSSW, p. 10).

§ “The formation of small companies Formation of Small Groups 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).

§ Provide an excellent training school § Turn spectators into participants § Prepare members for effective outreach The Potential of Sabbath School Action Units § Enable members to reclaim and retain backsliders § Assist members to reach their own goals § Contribute to a finished work through focused, coordinated efforts § Provide assistance to most church projects and activities

The Sabbath School Action Unit Plan § Classes of twelve to fifteen (SID) § Outreach leaders/Care coordinators § Outreach plan § Class time – one hour § Time for missing class members

§Time for outreach §Lesson discussion application The Sabbath School Action Unit Plan §Monthly corporate sharing §Monthly home fellowship and evaluation §Weekly/monthly leader consultation

§ Discussion group leader/class secretary takes 5 minutes to take roll call and collect offerings § Care coordinator takes 15 minutes: Class Operation Ø to call for experiences related to class plan Øto train from experiences shared Øto assign visits Øto promote the class plan Øto conduct prayer session

§Reviews the high points of the lesson Discussion Group Leader §Asks three or four questions §Secures full participation §Applies lesson to life this week

§ Study broadly § Select focus § Prepare a brief introduction Task of Discussion Group Leader § Write 3 to 4 application questions § Give an overview of the main points § Encourage participation and assist in making personal application § Summarize and express appreciation for participation § Pray for help to meet application objectives for the week

§ The Meaning: What does this text mean to you? § Learning from Experience: Share an Good Questions experience where this text was fulfilled or was significant in your life § Application to Life: Think of what will possibly happen to you this week. How can you apply this text to your life this week? How can you use this text in reaching out and sharing with someone this week?

Care Coordinator Should be a tactful, enthusiastic, persevering, loving and concerned active member with a burden for souls, and able to developing a band of well trained soul winners.

§ Claim the Holy Spirit’s infilling and wisdom § Discover outreach plans of the church Care Coordinator’s Preparation § Know the Personal Ministries Leader’s objectives § Determine what activities have worked best in the past to increase quality membership § Dream big § List appropriate quality activities § Make a potential plan

§ Pray earnestly § Elect a secretary to assist and record plans § Share thrilling experiences of other Class Planning Session action units § Challenge each member with a vision to dream big § Pray two by two for cleansing § Explain the church’s focus and plan in the Personal Ministries Leader’s objectives

§ Ask what has worked best in the past toward the finishing of God’s work § Call for and value as important each Class Planning Session member’s opinions and comments § Write down all suggestions § Select together a few workable ideas or plans § Do strategic plans

§ Class planning session § Care for missing class members § Care coordinator’s time: to share Seven Key Elements for Success experiences and to train, pray, promote, and assign visits § Application of lesson § Leader consultations/evaluations § Corporate sharing § Home fellowship/evaluation