The development and training of adult sabbath school teachers

High impact teaching for the 21st century sabbath school

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 The skill level of the teacher

Vision statement “Let the teacher enter, heart and soul, into the subject matter of the lesson. Let them lay plans to make a practical application to 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.” CSSW, pp. 113, 114.

Overall objectives Knowing Being Doing

Overall objectives for the teacher Knowing “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 Timothy3:15-17

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 Timothy 3:23 “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” 2 Timothy 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 Timothy 4:15, 16 “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 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.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Goals and objectives 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

Today’s situation 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

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 the gaps,” rather than to choose quality teachers. Not enough time given for class study – Teachers get discouraged.

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 teachers 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 Sabbath School 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.

E.g. white and teachers continued skill training “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.” CSSW, P. 103.

THE AIM of sabbath school teaching To facilitate the acquisition of biblical knowledge. To motivate spiritual growth. To enable Sabbath School class members to develop scriptural oriented lifestyles.

The basic skills of a sabbath school teacher Skill in using Bible study tools Skills in handling the Bible Skills in using resources Skills in teaching methods Skills in asking questions Skills in small group technology

Good sabbath school teaching Input [information] In-service [experience] Dynamic reflection Spiritual formation

Input: The basic information the student learns Input: The basic information the student learns. Includes cognitive, affective, and experiential. In-service experience: The application learned through hands-on experience. Dynamic reflection: Why the learning is relevant. Generates new ideas. Spiritual formation: The application of Rom. 8:18, 29. Inclusion of elements that will lead to conformity to the likeness of His Son.

Basic divine imperative for a finished work The church must realize its 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 given our people is to teach them to work for God, and to depend on Him, not on ministers (7T p. 19). The Sabbath School should be one of the greatest instrumentalities and the most effectual in bringing souls to Christ (CSSW p. 10). One who cannot err has advised the formation of small groups “as a basis of Christian effort” (7T pp. 21, 22).