Junior and/or Earliteen Junior and/or Earliteen

Sabbath SchoolSabbath School

August 30, 2008August 30, 2008

This Quarter the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering is going to the North American Division

Information adapted from Adventist Mission, Youth and Adult Magazine and the SDA Encyclopedia.

This quarter’s Thirteenth This quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help:Sabbath Offering will help:

Place rebroadcast radio Place rebroadcast radio stations in communities stations in communities across Canadaacross Canada

Expand the reach and Expand the reach and effectiveness of Life Talk effectiveness of Life Talk Radio across the United Radio across the United StatesStates

How is the Thirteenth Sabbath How is the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering going to be used?Offering going to be used?

The division is The division is made up of made up of two of the two of the world’s largest world’s largest countries—the countries—the United States United States and Canada—and Canada—and the island and the island nation of nation of Bermuda.Bermuda.

Every year, one million people from Every year, one million people from countries around the world come to countries around the world come to live in North America.live in North America.

Thousands of Adventists serve as missionaries in Thousands of Adventists serve as missionaries in countries around the world. North America has countries around the world. North America has frontlines of mission too. “Project Hope for frontlines of mission too. “Project Hope for Montreal,” part of the worldwide “Hope for Big Montreal,” part of the worldwide “Hope for Big Cities” initiative, plans to plant two new Cities” initiative, plans to plant two new congregations in the metropolis by 2010. Bible congregations in the metropolis by 2010. Bible workers are reaching out through health and workers are reaching out through health and family seminars, in addition to conventional family seminars, in addition to conventional Discover Bible Courses. Discover Bible Courses.

While the Adventist Church started While the Adventist Church started in North America, nine out of ten in North America, nine out of ten Adventists live outside North Adventists live outside North America. In fact, five of the church’s America. In fact, five of the church’s 13 world divisions have larger 13 world divisions have larger memberships than North America. memberships than North America.

As of June 2007, church membership As of June 2007, church membership in the division is 1,030,361. That’s in the division is 1,030,361. That’s less than 8 percent of the Seventh-less than 8 percent of the Seventh-day Adventist church’s 15 million day Adventist church’s 15 million members worldwide.members worldwide.

Millions of people living Millions of people living in North America have in North America have never heard the never heard the Adventist message. Adventist message. North America is a North America is a mission field with many mission field with many who need to feel Jesus’ who need to feel Jesus’ loving embrace. loving embrace.

According to world church According to world church president Jan Paulsen, president Jan Paulsen, “It's up to individual “It's up to individual church members to shape church members to shape how the Adventist Church how the Adventist Church is perceived. Our faith is perceived. Our faith finds its most compelling finds its most compelling expression in the expression in the everyday words and everyday words and actions of Christians in actions of Christians in their communities."their communities."

Whether you are a student, or become a Whether you are a student, or become a gardener, a teacher, a store clerk, a nurse, or a gardener, a teacher, a store clerk, a nurse, or a doctor. Whatever you do, do it to honor God, doctor. Whatever you do, do it to honor God, and you will be God’s missionary. and you will be God’s missionary.

Another way we can be a missionary is to bring Another way we can be a missionary is to bring our mission offerings every week. And on our mission offerings every week. And on Thirteenth Sabbath, we can bring an extra large Thirteenth Sabbath, we can bring an extra large offering to spread God’s love via radio waves to offering to spread God’s love via radio waves to millions of people in North America.millions of people in North America.

Collect OfferingCollect Offering

Exploring God’s Exploring God’s WorldWorld

In this section we study one of the countries in the division where our Thirteenth Sabbath offering is going.

Today we are going to Today we are going to learn about Oregon.learn about Oregon.

Where is OregonWhere is Oregon

Country Flag

United States

State Flag

Oregon

Time for the Mission Time for the Mission StoryStory

We are taking the good We are taking the good news to the entire world.news to the entire world.

Read the Mission Story on pages 20 and 21 of the Third Quarter Read the Mission Story on pages 20 and 21 of the Third Quarter Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Adventist Mission Youth and Adult MagazineMagazine

while slowly progressing through the next 3 slides.while slowly progressing through the next 3 slides.

The names The names of the of the people in people in the story the story are “Anne are “Anne and Jeff.”and Jeff.”

This story is from the United This story is from the United States.States.

The title of the story is “A New The title of the story is “A New Beginning.”Beginning.”

Lesson Study Lesson Study TimeTime

Today we’ll study about being:Today we’ll study about being:

At Home in My ChurchAt Home in My ChurchPhoto by Neva MacPhee

Do you like organizing Do you like organizing things and people? It’sthings and people? It’sa gift to be able to do that.a gift to be able to do that.

Photo by Bill Z.

The disciples had their hands fullThe disciples had their hands fullafter Pentecost with people losingafter Pentecost with people losinghomes and jobs because ofhomes and jobs because oftheir faith.their faith.

Photo by Neva MacPhee

But they pulled together and everyone had food, clothing, and a place to live. Let’s listen in on some conversations that might have occurred within the fellowship of believers.

Galatians 6:10, NIV

P O W E R T E X T

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Photo by Neva MacPhee

Our church is a family of believers who take care of one another.

P O W E R P O I N T

Photo by Neva MacPhee

After Pentecost the numberAfter Pentecost the numberof believers continued to of believers continued to grow. Everyone was in awe grow. Everyone was in awe of the miracles that the of the miracles that the disciplesdisciplesperformed.performed.

They listened eagerly to They listened eagerly to theirtheirteaching. They spent hours teaching. They spent hours together praying, praising, together praying, praising, and studying.and studying.

Since they were together Since they were together most of the day, they shared most of the day, they shared their meals in one another’s their meals in one another’s homes. Those who were homes. Those who were able sold theirable sold theirpossessions and gave to possessions and gave to people in need. people in need.

For a while even For a while even nonbelievers were excited nonbelievers were excited about the changes made in about the changes made in their friends and family their friends and family members. The believers members. The believers were a popular group of were a popular group of people.people.

Then the priests, elders, Then the priests, elders, and other religious leaders and other religious leaders started getting nervous. started getting nervous. They thought theThey thought thenew believers new believers would get tired of would get tired of their meetings and their meetings and prayer services. prayer services.

But instead temple But instead temple attendanceattendanceand offerings were down. and offerings were down. Quietly the priests began to Quietly the priests began to spread rumors about the spread rumors about the believers. believers.

Suddenly there were splits in Suddenly there were splits in families between believers families between believers and nonbelievers. Following and nonbelievers. Following Christ was becoming more Christ was becoming more difficult. difficult. The disciples The disciples decided it wasdecided it wastime to dotime to dosomething.something.

““Peter, we’ve got a Peter, we’ve got a problem,” James said as the problem,” James said as the disciples met for their daily disciples met for their daily planning time. “We have so planning time. “We have so many people following Jesus . many people following Jesus . . .”. .”

““That’s wonderful!” Peter That’s wonderful!” Peter interrupted. interrupted. “Yes, it is,” agreed James, “but “Yes, it is,” agreed James, “but we still have a problem.” we still have a problem.”

““Many of the Many of the newnewbelievers are believers are being thrown being thrown out of their out of their homes by their homes by their families. They families. They have no place have no place to go.”to go.”

““James is right,” John James is right,” John interjected.interjected.““And often the father has lost And often the father has lost his job. So they have nothing his job. So they have nothing to live on.”to live on.”

““We have to We have to find some way find some way to help them,” to help them,” Peter said. Peter said. “Does anyone “Does anyone have any have any ideas?”ideas?”

““Why don’t we Why don’t we put out a put out a general general announcementannouncement?” Matthias ?” Matthias suggested. suggested.

“We can have everyone contribute what they can to help those who don’t have food, clothing, or a place to stay.”

Photo by Neva MacPhee

““Andrew, will you Andrew, will you and Matthew and Matthew organize this organize this right away?” right away?” Peter asked. Peter asked. “We’ll need a list “We’ll need a list of what is turned of what is turned in so we know in so we know what we what we have to have to distribute.”distribute.”

In just a few days Andrew andMatthew made contacts with other believers.

They had plenty of things for people, but now they needed help distributing them.

They decided to ask for people’s time as well as their supplies.Within a short time the volunteers were ready to start working.

Some were willing to help Some were willing to help because they wanted to because they wanted to workworkin return for the food andin return for the food andshelter they would be shelter they would be given. given.

Others helped because theyOthers helped because theyloved God and His people. loved God and His people. Someone had even donated Someone had even donated a room in their house for the a room in their house for the volunteers to work in. Daily volunteers to work in. Daily they began to processthey began to processthe donations the donations that came in.that came in.

After finishing distributions each day Andrew and Matthew met with the volunteers to talk about how things were going.

Photo by Neva MacPhee

““I have a I have a concern,” said one concern,” said one of the volunteers. of the volunteers. “I know there are “I know there are people we are people we are missing. Some just missing. Some just aren’t coming toaren’t coming toget the things they get the things they need.”need.”

““Why do you think Why do you think that is?” asked that is?” asked Andrew. “Some are Andrew. “Some are too old to come and too old to come and carry the things carry the things home,” he replied. home,” he replied. “Others are “Others are embarrassed to embarrassed to come and get the come and get the things for nothing.”things for nothing.”

““It sounds as though we need toIt sounds as though we need to make some deliveries,” Matthewmake some deliveries,” Matthew said. “We can assign some ofsaid. “We can assign some of you to do that.”you to do that.”

Gathering the small group around Gathering the small group around him, Andrew said, “As you go out to him, Andrew said, “As you go out to deliver the food, I want you to be deliver the food, I want you to be aware if there are still others we are aware if there are still others we are missing.”missing.”

““Also, if you see something a Also, if you see something a family needs that we don’t family needs that we don’t have, let us know,” added have, let us know,” added Matthew. “We’ll try to get it Matthew. “We’ll try to get it for them.”for them.”

Soon everyone connected with the followers of Christ had everything they needed: food, shelter, clothing.

Photo by Neva MacPhee

With these needs taken With these needs taken care of, the new believers care of, the new believers were free to share the good were free to share the good news of the gospel with news of the gospel with others.others.

Photo by Bill Z

One morning Andrew and One morning Andrew and Matthew reported that some Matthew reported that some of the believers had sold of the believers had sold property and donated the property and donated the money to the community of money to the community of believers. believers.

Several others were also Several others were also planning to contribute in the planning to contribute in the same way. One man, same way. One man, Barnabas, from another Barnabas, from another country, sold his land and country, sold his land and journeyed to Jerusalem to journeyed to Jerusalem to give the moneygive the moneyhe received for ithe received for itto the apostles.to the apostles.

““I now see why Jesus I now see why Jesus commanded us to care about commanded us to care about our neighbors as much as weour neighbors as much as wecare about ourselves,” Matthew care about ourselves,” Matthew said. said.

The apostles and the other The apostles and the other believers were happy and believers were happy and grateful for the outpouring of grateful for the outpouring of love. love.

It made them want to love It made them want to love and serve God—and one and serve God—and one another—even more.another—even more.

We’re going to throw some We’re going to throw some Bible texts up on the screen.Bible texts up on the screen.

As we look at each text, take your pen As we look at each text, take your pen or pencil and paper, and write the or pencil and paper, and write the message of the text in your own message of the text in your own

words (paraphrase).words (paraphrase).Please share the meaning you found in each text with the class.

1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIVTherefore encourage one Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 15 just as in fact you are doing. 15 Make sure that nobody pays Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. other and to everyone else.

How would you put it?

Write it down, and share with the class.

Galatians 6Galatians 6:10, NIV:10, NIVTherefore, as we have Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. belong to the family of believers.

Ephesians 4:32, NIVBe kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Romans 12:13, NIVShare with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Why do you think Why do you think it’s important to it’s important to be extra kind to be extra kind to other believers?other believers?

What are some examples in What are some examples in the Bible of persons who the Bible of persons who treated another believer in God treated another believer in God with kindness?with kindness?

See if you can identify the stories in the pictures on the following slides and discuss how kindness was used.

Our church is a family of Our church is a family of believers who take care of one believers who take care of one another.another.

Important InformationImportant Information

PowerPointsPowerPoints® art copyrighted © 2003 by the Review ® art copyrighted © 2003 by the Review and Herald® Publishing Association.and Herald® Publishing Association.

Text and illustrations from Text and illustrations from Adventist Mission Youth Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Magazineand Adult Magazine is copyright © by the General is copyright © by the General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists.Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists.

Scriptures quoted from NIV are from the Scriptures quoted from NIV are from the Holy Bible, Holy Bible, New International VersionNew International Version, copyright © 1973, , copyright © 1973, 1980, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by 1980, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

ClickArt Infinity by Broderbund, © 1999 TLC ClickArt Infinity by Broderbund, © 1999 TLC Multimedia Inc.Multimedia Inc.

You will want to have a hard copy of the Mission Story You will want to have a hard copy of the Mission Story ready to read during the Mission Story section. You can ready to read during the Mission Story section. You can find the story on pages 20 and 21 of the Third Quarter find the story on pages 20 and 21 of the Third Quarter Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Magazine.Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Magazine. The title The title of the story is “A New Beginning.” You can go to the of the story is “A New Beginning.” You can go to the website website http://www.adventistmission.org/http://www.adventistmission.org/ and find the link and find the link titled “Publications” to download the titled “Publications” to download the Adventist Mission Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Magazine.Youth and Adult Magazine.

Notes to TeachersNotes to Teachers

Copyright Grants Pass Seventh-day Copyright Grants Pass Seventh-day Adventist SchoolAdventist School

Art and graphics copyrighted by the General Conference and the Review and Herald® are included on slides 45, 47-50, 59, 62, 64-68, 71 and 72.

Images and artwork are copyrighted by the Pacific Press Publishing Assoc., Review and Herald Publishing Assoc., It Is Written and others. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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