SABBATH SCHOOL ACTION UNITS by Jonathan Kuntaraf D.Min. General Conference SSPM Director SABBATH SCHOOL ACTION UNITS by Jonathan Kuntaraf D.Min. General Conference SSPM Director

SABBATH SCHOOL REVITALIZATION Through Small Groups SABBATH SCHOOL REVITALIZATION Through Small Groups

Why do our Sabbath Schools need revitalization? Why do our Sabbath Schools need revitalization?

Sabbath School Problems Decline in Sabbath School attendance in many places. Decline in Sabbath School attendance in many places. Nearly 20% of those who have been Adventists from four to ten years never study their Sabbath School lesson. Nearly 20% of those who have been Adventists from four to ten years never study their Sabbath School lesson. The comparison between church books and Sabbath School attendance shows a large number of missing members. The comparison between church books and Sabbath School attendance shows a large number of missing members. The majority of teachers have never had any training. The majority of teachers have never had any training.

Institute of Church Ministry SDA Theological Seminary Andrews University (2002) v Only 57% attend weekly corporate worship on a regular basis, and only about half take part in any group Bible study, including Sabbath School. v 30% range: items such as nurturing members of all ages according to their diverse talents and needs, training for discipleship, witnessing, and involvement in local church activity.

Barna Study on Religious Practices – A. Attend B. Read C. PrayD. Church Church Bible to God Volunteer Church Bible to God Volunteer _______________________________________ _______________________________________ v SDA v Assembly of God v Baptist v Catholic v Church of Christ v Episcopal v Lutheran v Methodist v Mormon v Chr.non Den v Pentecostal v Presbyterian

Barna Study on Religious Practices July, 2001 ADVENTISTS Attend Church# 10 Bible Study# 7 Prayer# 12 Voluntary work# 12

Sabbath School Problems Generally, only 15% of Sabbath School members study their Sabbath School lessons regularly.

Right now only about 20% of world church members have any Adventist heritage. The rest are all new. By 2020 only about 12% will have any Adventist heritage. A New World Church

Why don’t people come to Sabbath School?

Sabbath School Problems v v The majority of Sabbath School teachers have never had any training. v v The program is boring v v Not enough participation in the class v v Felt needs are not met v v 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 Just read from the Quarterly Have little or no discussion Are not adequately trained

What Are the Major Problems? v Formalism v A Mini-Church Service v Need for Change

Lack of Fellowship

The Expected Outcome - A Revitalized Church

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.” “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 - 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.” 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 Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 115

The Need for Sabbath School Revitalization “There is much to be done in the Sabbath School work also 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 their effort.” “There is much to be done in the Sabbath School work also 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 their effort.” vol. 5 p Testimonies for the Church vol. 5 p. 256

The Need For Revitalization Meeting the objectives of Sabbath School 1. Bible Study 1. Bible Study 2.Fellowship 2.Fellowship 3.Community outreach 3.Community outreach 4.World mission 4.World mission

Sabbath School Programming Sabbath School Action Units

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 Evangelism, p. 115

Blessings of Sabbath School Action Units From in six weeks, Portland Oregon From in six weeks, Portland Oregon Fifty families returned - Holland, Michigan Fifty families returned - Holland, Michigan Sixty brought back: Owasso, Michigan Sixty brought back: Owasso, Michigan A transformed church - Saginaw, Michigan A transformed church - Saginaw, Michigan Back to Church after 30 years - Grand Rapids, Michigan. Back to Church after 30 years - Grand Rapids, Michigan. A 15%-90% increase in daily lesson study in two months, Owasso, Michigan. A 15%-90% increase in daily lesson study in two months, Owasso, Michigan.

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

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

Triangle of Learning 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 A child remembers : Based on research by the University of Texas

SABBATH SCHOOL REVITALIZATION

Recognize the Role of Sabbath School Teachers A teacher is more than an instructor A teacher shepherds a class A teacher is the pastor’s extension A teacher is a leader A teacher is a feeder A teacher is a protector

Set Attendance Goals Educate the members Advertise the attendance goal Have SMART goals S pecific goals S pecific goals M issionary goals A ttainable goals R eachable goals T imetable goals

Ways to Raise Attendance 1.Publish a monthly calendar of Sabbath School events. 2.Invite Sabbath School classes or other groups such as seniors, youth or children to present programs. 3.Plan special music presentation or other special featured early. 4.Gift certificates at the end of the quarter for perfect attendance, daily study and involvement. 5.Recap the morning activities ….

Ways and Means of Promoting Fellowship v Develop a program of fellowship v Outdoor and indoor ministry v Create a follow-up program to bond visitors to church v Conduct a guest day campaign to motivate church members to reach out

Ways of Evangelism for Sabbath School Members Use front a door evangelism

Driveway/Parking Lot Ministry PHASE 1: Your Church Building Sanctuary Doors Welcome Desk Your Church’s Main Door Your Driveway/Parking Lot

Church Door Ministry PHASE 2: Your Church Building Sanctuary Doors Welcome Desk Your Church’s Main Door The key word in door ministry is courtesy.

Welcome Desk Ministry PHASE 3: Your Church Building Sanctuary Doors Welcome Desk Your Church’s Main Door Develop a welcome pack. Point out... Ask questions.

Sanctuary Door Ministry PHASE 4: Your Church Building Sanctuary Doors Welcome Desk Your Church’s Main Door Sanctuary doors are often formidable obstacles. OPEN THE DOOR.

Seating Ministry PHASE 5: Your Church Building Sanctuary Doors Welcome Desk Your Church’s Main Door Have certain church members seated in the congregation acting as receptionists.

Ways of Evangelism for Sabbath School Members v v Use front a door evangelism v v Use saturation evangelism v v Use the media for evangelism v v Be super-aggressive in outreach v v Use fellowship evangelism v v Use service evangelism v v Use side door evangelism (reach friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors) v v Use lifestyle evangelism v v Share testimonies and experience v v Organize special “Guest Day.” v v Follow up visitors

Ways and Means of Integrating Soul Winning with Sabbath School Small Group Activities v v Begin Sabbath School classes, small groups v v Sabbath School class functions as a cell group on a week day. v v Sabbath School class serves as an action unit v v Reaching people going through transitions

The Law of Seven Touches v First touch - phone call v Second touch - write a letter v Third touch - the secretary's phone call v Fourth touch - appointment letter v Fifth touch - the visit v Sixth touch - follow up - letter v Seventh touch -Saturday night friendly call

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

Planning You get what you work for Know your base Feed the flock Assess needs Discover talents/spiritual gifts Set goals Goal indicators Action plans Evaluation

Take Challenging Steps Have class names Have class prayer meetings Have class projects Begin a class newsletter Include statistics Names of visitors in newsletters Include a message from the teachers in the newsletter

Maintain Sabbath School Growth v v Be number conscious v v Be willing to start new classes v v New members join a class when joining the church v v All Sabbath School teachers act as pastor/evangelists v v Develop a program of fellowship