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J. Alfred Johnson, II Director of Adult Ministries North American Division Copyright © 2013 J. Alfred Johnson II
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PART 1 Growing Churches Through Sabbath School Classes: A Relational Approach
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What Is Sabbath School? “ Seventh-day Adventist Local Church Educational Fellowship That Builds Faith And Practice”
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Faith And Practice Faith = Biblical Understanding, Knowledge, And Personal Relationship With Jesus (“Know-Be”) Practice = Application Of “Faith” In The Context Of Living And Witnessing With Jesus (“Do”)
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Relational Approach? “ Responsive To People And Their Needs”
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Relational Impact People Will Tend To Be Enthusiastically And Beneficially Active In Sabbath School To The Degree That Their Needs Are Being Met
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WHAT IF? We Structured Sabbath School To Address The Baseline Evangelism and Nurture Agenda Of The Congregation – To Meet The Needs Of People? We Formatted Time Usage In Sabbath School To Accomplish This? We Made Sabbath School So Meaningful -- That People Would Rush To Class? The Spirit Of Positive, Joyful, Sabbath School Lasted All Week?
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Are You Willing? To Prayerfully Advocate For Adjustments If The Adjustments Will Be Beneficial?
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Four Goals of Sabbath School SABBATH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP & NURTURE COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORLD MISSION
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STUDY – NURTURE – FELLOWSHIP – PRAYER – RECLAMATION – OUTREACH WORLD MISSION FOCUSED “SMALL GROUP FAMILIES” We Are Dedicated To Facilitating Sabbath School Classes As Holistic, Relational:
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Balanced Sabbath School Must Include These Elements: Bible Study Community Outreach Fellowship and Nurture World Mission Emphasis
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“Small Group Families” Not “Classes” with “Teachers” who “Guide Study” But “WEEKLY FAMILY REUNIONS” Led By “FACILITATORS” who Guide The Small Group Process
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What Is A Facilitator? Illustration – “Ringling Brothers” Plate Spinner “One Who Helps To Get Things Started, And Assists In Keeping Them Going” Webster: “A Person Responsible For Leading Or Coordinating The Work Of A Group”
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Ideal Facilitator Qualities Kind; Loving; Christian Seventh-day Adventist Caring; Sensitive To Needs Of People Friendly; Unselfish; Good Listener Positive Personality; Respectful Prompt (Time Sensitive); Capable Of Inspiring Participation In A “Process” Capable Of Living And Leading The Study Of “The Word” (If Teaching) With A Focus On Transformational Learning (“Know-Be-Do” )
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Ideal Atmosphere For Facilitation Family Sits In A Circle (If Possible) Facilitator Sits With The People - Physically Equalizes Relationships - Provides For “Eye Contact” And Ease Of “Body Language” Communication No Podium - They Create Barriers
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Relational Sabbath School: Working The Process! PART 2
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“Small Group Families” Nurture - All Welcomed And Greeted By Name - First Question, “What Kind Of Week Did You Have?” - Time For Testimonies and Prayer Requests - Organize For ALL Family Members To Be Contacted EACH WEEK (By Tuesday )
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“Small Group Families” Prayer Emphasis -The Family Takes Time For Prayer Ministry
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Gospel Workers, 259 (Italics and Other Emphasis Supplied) “The greatest victories gained for the cause of God are not the result of labored argument, ample facilities, wide influence, or abundance of means; They are gained in the audience chamber with God, when with earnest agonizing faith men lay hold upon The Mighty Arm Of Power.”
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“Small Group Families” Fellowship Emphasis - Most SS Setups Not “Interaction Friendly” - Difficult To “Read” And “Feel” People By Viewing The Backs Of Their Heads! - Balance The “Setup” With Monthly Family Fellowship Opportunities! - Plan During Small Group Family Time!
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“Small Group Families” Reclaimation Emphasis - How Many Churches Have No Need Here? - SS Secretary Gets List From Church Clerk - List Is Divided Equally Between Families - No Contact Is Made! Only Prayer! - Then Watch Our Lord Bring Them Back!
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“Small Group Families” Bible Study Emphasis - Begin With, “What Portion Of Your Study Blessed You Most, And Strengthened Your Witnessing Capacity?” (“So What Factor”) - Then Move To Other Points In The Lesson - Emphasize That We Study For Knowledge That Leads To Relationship And Action! (“Know-Be-Do”)
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“Small Group Families” Community Outreach - Emp. We Are Here To “Know-Be-Do” - Determine The Family “Corporate Spiritual Gift Cluster” (Areas Of Comfort & Joy In Service For Most Family Members ) - Offer That Ministry To Church Leadership Through The Sabbath School!
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“Small Group Families” World Mission Focus - Support World Mission Of The Church - Go “The Second Mile” And Sponsor A Local Or World Mission Project As A Family!
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To Accomplish This Format: Consider Minimizing Program Time AND Maximizing “Small Group Family” (Class) Interaction Time!
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Ideal “Family” Size? How About The Number Selected By Jesus? Spawn New Family When Growth Is About 20!
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PART 3 Pathways To Successful Relational Sabbath School Bridges
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1. Daily Baptism Of The Holy Ghost Be Certain YOU Pray For The “Baptism Of The Holy Ghost” EVERY DAY! Acts 1:8
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Daily Baptism Of Holy Ghost Holy Ghost “Within / In Us” - Power To “BE” – Leads Us To Be Nice! (Fruit Of The Spirit – Galatians 5:22, 23) Holy Ghost “UPON US” – Power To “DO” (Baptism Of The Holy Ghost - Acts 1:8) Baptism Upon Gives Us Ability (dunamis) To Function!
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2. Love Your Ministry! Show The “Family Members” They Are Cared For!
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2a. Acknowledge and Practice “The Nelson Principle” “Family Members” (Class Members) Are More Likely To Function At High Levels When They Sense That Their “Family Members” CARE For Them!
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2b. “The Nelson Principle” Applied Learn Their Names (3 John 14 – Greet By Name) Communicate During The Week Assure Them Of Your Willingness To Join Them In Presenting Their Needs To The Lord
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3. Acknowledge and Respond To Four Basic Human Needs RECOGNITIONRESPONSE NEW EXPERIENCES SECURITY
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Four Basic Human Needs Applied RECOGNITION – Validates “Personhood” And “Presence” In The Group RESPONSE – Validates The “Person” As A “Contributor And Participant” NEW EXPERIENCES – “Expand” The Horizons Of The Person And The Group SECURITY – Engenders “Confidence”
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4. Have A Good Attitude!
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4a. Be Mindful That EVERYONE Projects A “Personal Atmosphere.” Be Sure Yours Is POSITIVE! * The “Ten Food Principle” How many people do you know that have been led to Christ, and motivated to grow in Him BY PEOPLE WHO ARE NEGATIVE?
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The Atmosphere We Carry You are handling sacred things, and the spirit and word and influence you carry are making impressions upon the minds of others. The atmosphere which surrounds the soul, if it is evil, will be like a spiritual malaria, which will be poisoning to those around. But it is profitable for the soul to have an atmosphere that will be as a savor of life unto life to others. When the soul is weighted with the truth which works by love and purifies the soul, a heavenly atmosphere will pervade the soul. The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters (1985)
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5. Discover and Facilitate Meeting The Needs Of “Family Members” Physical Spiritual Social
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In Conclusion “Sabbath School Small Group Families” Not Classes “Facilitators” - Who Guide Small Group Process! “Teachers” – Who Guide Bible Study “Relational Emphasis” Targeted To People And Their Needs Through Caring Interaction Minimize Program – Maximize “Family Time” Balance Evangelism And Nurture Through Goals Of Sabbath School In A Relational Way!
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Your Church Will Grow Even More When Sabbath School Attendees: Are Loved, Valued, Appreciated and Respected! Are Encouraged To Share and Serve! Experience Their Needs Being Met! Have Fun and Fellowship! Sense They Are In A Secure Environment! Experience The Goals of Sabbath School Packaged In A Relational Way!
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Resources At www.nadadultministries.org:www.nadadultministries.org Bi-Monthly E-Newsletter, Network News Over 200 Training Power Points Virtual Adult Min. Festival Of The Laity September 11-14 – www.festivalofthelaity.com At www.adventsource.org:www.adventsource.org Sabbath School, Personal Ministries, Prison Ministries Catalogues Google – “Cool Tools” Sabbath School Tool Box – www.rhpa.org
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Partners In Ministry, Be Assured Of Our Prayers As You Continue To Submit Your Gifts To Christ For The Strengthening And Growth Of The Body Of Christ!
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