DEVELOPING SABBATH SCHOOL ACTION UNINTS

Sabbath school Problems The decline of Sabbath School attendance in many places. Nearly 20% of those who have been Adventists from 4 – 10 years never study the BSG lessons. 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.

Sabbath school problems Many are missing in Sabbath School

Sabbath school problems Many People don’t come to Sabbath School today. Why is this so?

Sabbath school problems Lack of warm fellowship and support by fellow members. Church services that do not meet people’s felt needs in coping with the complexities of daily life.

Sabbath school problems ”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.

Sabbath school problems “How sad it is to think of the great amount of mechanical work 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!” – TSSW, p. 72.

Sabbath school problems ”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.” – Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 256.

Sabbath school objectives Bible Study and Prayer Fellowship Mission

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

Sabbath school action units

Advantages of sabbath school action units Basic Divine Imperatives for a Finished Work. The Potential: The Small Group Sabbath School Classes Can Provide Adherence to the Above Imperatives.

Basic divine imperatives 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).

Basic divine imperatives for a finished work 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 (Testimonies, vol. 7, 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 (Testimonies, vol. 7, pp. 21, 22).

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

Sabbath school action units potential Provide an excellent training school. Turn spectators into participants. Prepare members for effective outreach. Enable members to reclaim and retain backsliders. Assist members to reach their own goals. Contribute to a finished work through focused, coordinated effort. Provide assistance to most church projects and activities.

The sabbath school action unit plan Classes of twelve to fifteen (6 – 8 elsewhere) Outreach Leaders/Care Coordinators Outreach Plan Class Time – One Hour Time for Missing Class Members

The sabbath school action unit plan Time for Outreach Lesson Discussion Application Monthly Corporate Sharing Monthly Home Fellowship/Evaluation Weekly, or Monthly Leader Consultation

Class operation Discussion Group Leaders take 5 minutes to care for missing class members. Care Coordinator takes 20 minutes to: - call for experiences related to class plan - Train from experiences shared - Assign visits - Promote the class plan - Conduct prayer session

Class operation Discussion Group Leader – a choir director, not a soloist (35 min.) - Reviews the high points of the lesson - Asks 3 or 4 questions - Secures full participation - Applies lesson to life this week

Class operation Who, Where, How, When?

Who? Decide on the number of classes needed by dividing current Sabbath School adult attendance by twelve. Review briefly the Care Coordinator and qualifications needed. Have the group select the best possible.

Where? This is not a problem, by using the ordinary pews. The ideal is folding chairs in circles.

How? Prepare a list for each class with the Discussion and Care Coordinator and twelve to fifteen blanks under their names. Superintendent, Secretary, Personal Ministries Leader, and Pastor assign members into balanced “family” group. Forming classes in specific territories is excellent.

When? Superintendent, Personal Ministries Leader and Pastor should over a one to three week period, explain the plan and its benefits to the adult Sabbath School. Efforts should be made to convince those who are totally opposed to this approach.

Task of discussion group leader Study Broadly Select Focus Prepare a Brief Introduction Write 3 to 4 Application Discussion Questions Give an Overview of the Main Points Encourage Participation and Assist in Making Definite Personal Application Summarize and Express Appreciation for Participation Pray for Help to Meet Application Objectives for the Week

Good questions The Meaning: What does this text mean to you? Learning from Experience: Share an 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?

The care coordinator Should be a tactful, enthusiastic, persevering, and loving concerned active member with a burden for souls, developing a band of well trained soul winners.

Care coordinator’s preparation Claim the Holy Sprit’s infilling and wisdom Discover outreach plans of the church 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

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

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

Seven key elements of success Class planning session Care for missing class members Care coordinator time: to share experience and to train, pray, promote and assign visits Application of lesson Leader consultation/evaluation Corporate sharing Home fellowship/evaluation