The Development and Training of Adult Sabbath School Teachers

for Your 21 st Century Sabbath School High Impact teaching

for Your 21 st Century Sabbath School High Impact learning

Mission Statement “The things you have heard me [Paul] say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men [people] who will also be qualified to teach others.... Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:2, 15.

Two Parts The reliability of the teacher, including theological integrity and a personal spiritual calling to a teaching ministry 2. The skill level of the teacher

3/16/2016 Vision Statement “Let the teachers enter, heart and soul, into the subject matter of the lesson. Let them lay plans to make a practical application of the lesson, and awaken an interest in the minds and hearts.... Let the activities of the scholars find scope in solving the problems of Bible truth. The teachers may give character to the work, so that the exercises will not be dry and uninteresting.” (Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 113,114)

Dedication “Let the teachers enter, heart and soul...” Application “to make a practical application of the lesson” Interest and Attention “and awaken an interest in the minds and hearts.” Learning Activities “Let the activities of the scholars find scope in solving the problems of Bible truth.” Dynamic “The teachers may give character to the work, so that the exercises will not be dry and uninteresting.” Direction “into the subject matter of the lesson” Planning “Let them lay plans”

Overall Objectives KnowingBeingDoing

Overall Objectives for the Teacher Knowing “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” Rom. 10:17 “... You have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:15-17

Overall Objectives for the Teacher Knowing “The things you have heard me [Paul] say in the presence of many witnesses...” “A workman...who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Overall Objectives for the Teacher Knowing “ “Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 2 Tim. 3:23 “.” 1Tim. 4:7 “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” 1Tim. 4:7

Overall Objectives for the Teacher Being “Entrust to reliable men [people] who will also be qualified to teach others” “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”1 Tim. 4: 15, 16. “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Tim. 4:12

Overall Objectives for the Teacher Doing “ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deut. 6: 6-9

3/16/2016 Increase the effectiveness of adult Sabbath School teaching by:  Finding and recruiting Sabbath School teachers who have the spiritual gift of teaching.  Putting in place a continuing education system for Adult Sabbath School teachers.  Providing adequate resources for teachers. Goals and Objectives

3/16/2016 We have a problem with Sabbath School Teaching Too many Sabbath School Teachers: Don’t Study Talk too much Read from the Quaterly Have little o no Discussion Are not adequately trained Today’s Situation

Sound Familiar? “In April I began my search for qualified and dedicated teachers who will commit themselves to the new Sabbath School year we begin on the first Sabbath of September. By early July I’m looking for people willing to teach for at least one three or four months, and by late August I’m looking for warm bodies to put into the classroom.”

3/16/2016 How Did We Get Here? The current system of choosing Sabbath School teachers does not take into account spiritual gifts. The current system of choosing Sabbath school teachers is designed to “fill in the gaps,” rather than to choose quality teachers. Not enough time given for class study  Teachers get discouraged.

3/16/2016 How Did We Get Here? Sabbath School has customarily become a mini- church service, so teaching is subconsciously equated with preaching. Teacher training tends to be sporadic rather than consistent. The teacher’s meeting has disappeared. The routine nature of Sabbath School leads us to misguided assumptions about Sabbath School teaching.

Misguided Assumptions Anyone can teach a Sabbath School class. It is good for a person to teach a class because it helps them personally. The teacher must cover all the material in the Bible Study Guide.

Sabbath School teachers should be shifted around periodically so class members won’t get bored. The Sabbath School teacher should also be the organizer, administrator, and spiritual leader of the class. Misguided Assumptions

“The true teacher is not content with dull thoughts, and indolent mind, or a loose memory. He constantly seeks higher attainments and better methods. His life is one of continual growth.” Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 103. Ellen White recognized that teachers need to continue their skill training

Who Should Teach in Sabbath School? Ellen White Educational theory

What are the basic skills a Sabbath School teacher needs?

The Aim of Sabbath School Teaching is to:  Facilitate the acquisition of biblical knowledge.  Motivate spiritual growth.  Enable Sabbath School class members to develop scriptural oriented lifestyles.

Skills Needed z Skills in using Bible study tools. z Skills in handling the Bible. z Skills in using resources. z Skills in teaching methods. z Skills in asking questions. z Skills in using instructional equipment. z Skills in small group technology.

3/16/2016 Building a Training System  Concept - theoretical base.  Resources.  Training system.

3/16/2016 The Theoretical Base The Holland Model

Spiritual Formation Input- information In-service experience

Dynamic reflection

Spiritual Formation Input- information In-service experience Dynamic reflection Good Teaching!

Spiritual Formatio n Input- information In-service experience Dynamic reflection From a Sabbath School Perspective

Seven laws of the teacher  The law of the teacher  The law of education  The law of activity  The law of the communication  The law of the heart  The law of the encouragement  The law of readiness Seven Laws of the Teacher

Seven laws of the learner The law of the learner The law of expectation The law of application The law of retention The law of need The law of equipping The law of revival

3/16/2016 The Application Base Non-formal and Informal Categories

FormalNon-formalInformal Centralized model Distance model Seminar Workshops Unique strategies Bible classes Adult SS Retreats Residence schools Resource centers Bible cor. schools Training Venues

Entry Level Training - 10 hours Teaching from the heart How to use the Bible in Sabbath School teaching Teaching people How to prepare the Sabbath School lesson The art of asking questions Instructional equipment Small group technology

Certification Entry level training Mid-level skills Advanced skills

What is it? Sabbath School Teachers’ Certification Program

The Certification seeks to magnify the importance of the teaching ministry in the life of the local church. It encourages teachers to regard their work as a special ministry that deserves the highest skill development.

Why is it important? Sabbath School Teachers’ Certification Program

International Sabbath School Teachers’ Association Becoming a member of the International Sabbath School Teachers’ Association helps develop the professionalism to do the job right and makes a difference in the life of the church.

“The true teacher is not content with dull thoughts, and indolent mind, or a loose memory. He constantly seeks higher attainments and better methods. His life is one of continual growth.” Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 103. Ellen White recognized that teachers need to continue their skill training

What are the benefits? Sabbath School Teachers’ Certification Program

What are the benefits? Sabbath School teachers are better equipped professionally to carry out their responsibilities. Sabbath School teachers can better understand and experience their important roles as leaders, feeders, protectors, and trainers. will inspire and strengthen Sabbath School teachers and help them improve their teaching ministry. More leaders may be trained to do God’s work.

What do members study? International Sabbath School Teachers’ Association

A Philosophy of Sabbath School. Introduction to the Bible. How to Interpret the Bible and the Writings of Ellen White. Inductive and Relational Study Group Skills. Lesson Preparation. Learning Process. Caring for Class Members. Participants will gain an understanding of the following topics:

Requirements for an International Institute of Christian Ministries’ Certificate in Adult Religious Education Core Courses (Required) CR101Spiritual Gifts: Keys to Ministry. CR102Principles of Personal Christian Witness. CR103 Principles of Christian Leadership and Church Growth. CR104How to Teach Basic Adventist Doctrines. Required Specialization Courses ARE101Adult Sabbath School Teacher. ARE102Inductive & Relational Bible Study & Teaching. ARE103Basic Teaching Skills. ARE104Developing Sabbath School Action Units. ARE105Teaching Techniques of Jesus. ARE106How to Interpret the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.

Logo Bible and Bible Studies World Church 4 Objectives

What is the function of Sabbath School?

Religious Education that builds the faith and lifestyle from Bible teachings. Sabbath School Purpose:

FAITH = FAITH = To know the Bible and church doctrines. PRACTICE PRACTICE = To practice in daily life the Bible teachings and the church doctrines. Sabbath School Purpose:

Sabbath School Objectives: Study the Word of God Fellowship Evangelism World Mission

WHY DON’T PEOPLE COME TO SABBATH SCHOOL?

BASIC REASONS FOR LEAVING THE CHURCH Lack of warm fellowship and support by fellow members. Lack of warm fellowship and support by fellow members. Church services do not meet their felt needs in coping with complexities of daily life. Church services do not meet their felt needs in coping with complexities of daily life.

BASIC DIVINE IMPERATIVES FOR A FINISHED WORK The church must realize its obligation to carry the gospel of present truth to every creature (CS 111). The work will never be finished until the membership unites in the work (GW 352) Every church should be a training school for Christian workers (MH 149).

The greatest help that can be given our people is to teach them to work for God, and to depend on him, not on ministers (7T 19). The greatest help that can be given our people is to teach them to work for God, and to depend on him, not on ministers (7T 19). The Sabbath School should be one of the greatest instrumentalities and the most effectual in bringing souls to Christ (CSSW 10). The Sabbath School should be one of the greatest instrumentalities and the most effectual in bringing souls to Christ (CSSW 10). “One who cannot err” has advised the formation of small groups “as a basis of Christian effort” (7T 21, 22). “One who cannot err” has advised the formation of small groups “as a basis of Christian effort” (7T 21, 22). BASIC DIVINE IMPERATIVES FOR A FINISHED WORK