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Sabbath School Leadership Tools

December 2019

Volume 1, Issue 2

Inside this Issue

Letter from P. Allan

Chichester

2

Total Member

Involment (TMI)

3

Action Units

Part 2

4

Action Units

Part 2

6

Who is He? 8

Personal

Witnessing Styles

10

Consider the

Narwhal

12

Sabbath School

Resources

13

In Step With Jesus 3 14

Ontario Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Pastor Allan Chichester and Pastor Jesse Anunciacion with members of the Bramalea Filipino Church at the Sabbath School and Stewardship Retreat, Camp Frenda, November 2019

The Sabbath School Leadership Tools

Dear Sabbath School Leaders: Season’s Greetings!

In keeping with our Sabbath School Department’s vision, “Growing Disciples for Christ”, here is the second issue of the Sabbath School Leadership Tools. The articles in this issue were extracted from the “Sabbath School ToolBox”.

You will notice two articles that address the two models of Sabbath School Holistic Small Groups: Sabbath School Action Units and Total Member Involvement (TMI) Care Groups. According to the General Conference, TMI can be implemented within Sabbath Schools through Sabbath School care groups.

It should be noted that both Sabbath School Action Units and Sabbath School TMI Care Groups are designed to foster discipleship growth. For example, they can help disciples grow in fellowship. According to a recent survey conducted by Pacific Union Conference, lack of fellowship was deemed the main reason why members did not attend Sabbath School.

In addition, Jonathan Kuntaraf noted in a recent presentation, “Each new member should have a minimum of seven new friends in the church within the first six months.” These findings attest to the value of utilizing holistic small groups. Let’s continue to implement and sustain small groups in our Sabbath Schools.

Yours truly,

Allan Chichester, D. Min.

Director, Sabbath School and Children's Ministries

Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Volume 1, Issue 2

How to Get Started– and Continue

There are ten essential elements of successful

Sabbath School Action Units:

1. Classes of six to eight members.

2. Outreach leaders in each class.

3. An outreach plan in each class.

4. One-hour class time.

5. Five minutes to care for missing class

members.

6, Twenty minutes for outreach.

7. Thirty-five minutes for lesson discussion

and application.

8. Weekly leader consultation.

9. Weekly/monthly corporate sharing.

10. Monthly home fellowship evaluation.

Form and maintain classes of six to eight for optimum participation.

This is vital to understanding spiritual growth

and outreach. In a group of 20, usually only three or

four become involved. However, 100-percent

participation usually occurs in the unit of six to eight,

and there is time for all to share. Normally, everyone

feels comfortable from the beginning to open up,

share and discuss their life experiences, their joys,

burdens, witnessing experiences and challenges, and

to receive personalized support, encouragement,

and training in soul winning. The more they know of

the circumstances other members face, the more

they will understand, love, and support them and the

more unlikely they are to offend. Many have left the church because they were offended and felt they were not understood.

We basically remember about ten percent of

what we hear, and 90 percent of what we do. In

addition to nurturing, the interaction also prepares

members to talk to their neighbours effectively.

When a class grows to nine or ten, two

classes should be formed. Usually, new leaders will

have been developed by class experience.

Pastor, Personal Ministries and Sabbath

School leaders select and train the best possible Missionary Leader available for each unit.

Sometimes called a “Care Coordinator,” this

dedicated person is an assistant to the Personal

Ministries Leader the Discussion Group Leader

(teacher,) should work enthusiastically, tactfully, and

perseveringly to develop a band of well-trained

soul winners. He or she should be teamed with the

Discussion Group Leader with whom he or she would

enjoy working.

Each unit appoints its secretary to care for

the prayer list, keep class plans and records, see that

witnessing material are provided to the members,

and help in other ways as needed.

(All leaders and active members need a

“double vision,” to work equally as hard

encouraging, training, and supporting members in

witnessing as in witnessing themselves.)

Action Units—Part 2 By Gary B. Swamson


Volume 1, Issue 2

Each unit develops an essential one-year

written outreach plan with specific goals.

The unit planning session is most vital. With

no specific outreach plan, nothing will be accom-

plished. With a plan, results are unlimited through

the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.

Before the unit planning session, the Mission-

ary leaders should meet together with the pastor,

Personal Ministries Leader, and Sabbath School Su-

perintendent to determine the outreach plans and

goals of the church. It is hoped that these will focus

on target reaping dates.

Knowing the objectives of the church, they

can then, by earnest prayer and study, write down

what their units could do to coordinate successfully

with the church’s cultivation, sowing, and reaping

plan. They should list what has worked best in the

past and has the greatest soul-winning possibility.

They should decide what they would like to do, con-

sidering the experience and potential of each class

member. They should decide how to make it easy for

them to start and how to lead them to advanced ac-

tivities. With a potential plan in hand, they are ready

to lead their units in planning.

At the special planning session, the pastor,

Personal Ministries Leader, and Sabbath School Su-

perintendent should lead by first sharing the church’s

specific outreach goals and suggesting how the clas-

ses might help. The pastor should then ask the units

to develop and write down their plans and specific

goals and give him or her a copy at the end of the

meeting, providing, if possible a simple worksheet for

this purpose.

The Missionary Leaders, with the support of

the leaders of the units, the Discussion Group Lead-

ers, may then use, as needed, the following steps in

their groups, and, if possible, utilizing the worksheet:

A. Seek the Lord in earnest prayer for cleansing,

claiming Christ’s love for souls, and the unity of

purpose and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

B. Ask all to participate throughout the planning

session. Value each opinion and comment. The

final plan must have input from all the members

so that they own the plan and will work together

to carry it out.

C. Review briefly the church goals and challenge all

to dream big.

D. Ask them to share what has worked best in the

past. They may begin by sharing how they be-

came an Adventist. List all points on the work-

sheet.

E. Ask for and list all suggestions from the group.

F. Present your suggestions and list the ones that

fit.

G. Select together one to three workable ideas and

plans, and finalize and record specific goals with

target dates. Example: “Each member (of class

#15) will bring back one missing member. Each

will share three VOP lessons and work with an-

other member in giving two Bible studies per

week. The class baptismal goal is eight people by

the end of the reaping meeting on October 25.”

H. The unit plans may also include steps to be taken

to reach specific goals and should list the dates

and places where the group will meet for the

monthly home fellowship evaluation sessions

(discussed under number ten below), where the

plans and goals can be updated and sharpened.

A copy of the plan is given to the pastor and

Personal Ministries Leader who will monitor, encour-

age, support, and provide training where needed.

…..continued on page 6

...continued

Allot a one-hour class period.

Sabbath school has four objectives:

fellowship, outreach, Bible study, and mission. The

first three can best be accomplished in the small

group, and mission offerings can also be best

promoted there. To do this, an hour is needed in the

action unit.

After the first five minutes is devoted to

welcoming members and caring for missing

members, it is essential that twenty minutes be

devoted to outreach, followed by thirty-five minutes

for lesson discussion and application.

Most begin the Sabbath School program at

9:15 and classes run from 9:45 to 10:45. Or better,

others begin Sabbath School earlier to have more

time.

Leaders must stay seated, put themselves on

the level with the students, and facilitate not lecture.

The Discussion Group Leader (the teacher and

leader of the class) takes five minutes to arrange

visits and care for missing class members.

Loving, caring concern for missing members

is very important. Many have backslidden because

they were not cared for without delay when they

first began to miss Sabbath School. After a welcome

and record-taking, the leader often arranges, as

appropriate, for a member to telephone or to deliver

a written message to each missing unit member that

afternoon. If that and prayer fail, an elder or the

pastor should be contacted. Immediate care is

essential.

Action Units—Part 2


The Missionary Leader take twenty minutes for outreach.

First, review the class plans and goals.

Call for experiences related to the class plan.

As each experience is shared, the leader should ask,

“What can we learn from that?” Discuss and learn

together from the experience, whether it was good

or bad. The most effective soul winning training is to

draw lesson from live experiences. Discuss how the

visit, contact, or study could have been improved.

The secretary records lessons learned for later use.

Assist those who are experiencing witnessing

challenges by offering suggestions as well as by

utilizing the expertise of the whole group. Give each

member the opportunity to encourage, support, and

make suggestions from their experience to those

who are experiencing difficulties.

Seek help from the Personal Ministries

Leader, leaders’ meeting, or pastor if the group is

unable to find solutions to the challenge.

Give simple training that will be needed

during the coming week. This should be appropriate

to guests present.

The training may include:

1. The necessity of claiming Christ’s love of souls

and the power, wisdom, and continual guidance

of the Holy Spirit.

2. How to be kind and tactful.

3. Using tones of the voice properly.

4. How to start a visit with FORT— “Family,”

“Occupation,” “Religion,” and “Testimony.

Volume 1, Issue 2

(Adjust to translation.)

5. How to develop and use your testimony in various

situations.

6. The importance of listening and how to listen.

7. How to disagree agreeably and never argue.

8. How to start and give Bible studies.

9. How to mark your Bible for witnessing.

10. How to visit former and missing members.

11. The importance of and how to get a decision for

Christ before teaching the testing truths.

12. How to get decisions.

Promote class plans and goals.

Give visitation assignments and arrange for on-

the-job training where needed.

Give time to the secretary to hand out

witnessing materials needed and to update the prayer

list.

Have special prayer, two by two, involving all

who would like to pray, for interests, plans, goals, and

lesson discussion. Remind everyone to pray daily for

those on the prayer list.

The Discussion Group leader, involving all,

as a choir director and not a soloist, takes thirty-five minutes for lesson discussion, applying it to life and witnessing that week.

This method is not to distract from deep Bible

study; its whole purpose is to attract people to it.

Daily deep Bible study at home is the real goal of the

class. The objective is to inspire and facilitate daily

Bible study in the home. In class, members should use

their study experience to discuss what God is saying

to them today, and apply it to their life situation and

to witnessing opportunities they may encounter

during the week.

Although the major emphasis of action units is

outreach, lesson discussion should not be minimized, as a deeper knowledge of Scripture is crucial to both nurture and witness. Knowledge is best obtained and

retained in class by discussion and not by lecture.

Participation in discussion usually increases to 100

percent in a short time if the action unit leader

focuses on involving everyone rather than being the

all-knowing lecturer. The class involvement results in

more study at home. When members are given the

opportunity to share in class, they study so they can

share.

The discussion leader’s objective is twofold.

The lesson must not only be presented it must be

matched to the person.

The discussion leader should come prepared

with written application questions and case studies

that fit the members’ spiritual and outreach needs.

Participation in answering questions such as: “What

would you say to your neighbour if she asked you this

question?” reduces fear and helps prepare members

for interaction in sharing Jesus with others.

The following six interactive questions can be

asked to emphasize specific Bible texts in the lesson:

What does it say?

What does it mean?

What does it mean to you?

Share an experience in which this text was fulfilled

or was significant in your life.

How can you use this text in reaching out and

sharing with someone this week?

The Discussion Group Leader involves all in searching Scripture and applying the lesson to life and witnessing that week. The action unit arrives at spiritual and outreach objectives for the week and

closes with prayer for power to fulfill them.

These final steps help keep the plan going and

growing.

…..to be continued in next issue

I don't think the pastor should be preaching

doctrine on Sabbath mornings.” While my

mouth didn’t respond to Darlene's1 comment,

my face asked the question, “Huh?” She

repeated herself, but with a little more explanation.

“We have lots of visitors on Sabbath morning. I

don’t think our pastor should be preaching on topics

such as the Sabbath, state of the dead or any of the

other doctrines. He should focus his sermons on

Jesus.” After working out the cognitive dissonance in

my head. I responded. “ I agree, Darlene. If our pastor

can’t find Jesus in any of our doctrines, then I don’t

think he should be preaching them, either. However,

rightly understood and applied, the doctrines of our

church should be revealing who Jesus is.”

Unfortunately, Darlene’s misunderstanding

about doctrine is not unique. Many church members

view our doctrines (i.e., fundamental beliefs) as

somehow separate from Christ. It’s either/or. One-or-

the-other. Is it possible that this view contributes to

the belief that when we are baptized, we don’t need

to know about doctrines or beliefs or prophecy? That

we need only Jesus?

THREE ELEMENTS OF FAITH

Knowledge is foundational to our faith in

Christ, for faith in a person requires a knowledge of

who he or she is. Seventh-day Adventists affirm our

indebtedness to and our roots in the Protestant

Reformation. 2 And according to Reformation

theology, faith includes three elements.

1. Notitia (or Notae) - the content of our faith.

2. Assensus— the intellectual assent; the conviction

that a certain proposition is true.

3. Fiducia—the transformation of one’s perception;

a confidence, and trust in an object.

The difference among these three elements

can be illustrated with a three-legged stool. You can

believe that the stool is a quality piece of furniture

(content). You can also believe that the stool is the

best piece of furniture for the purpose for which it is

needed (conviction). However, it’s not until you

actually sit on the stool that you’ve expressed your

trust (confidence) in it.

As a faith community that values objective

truth, too often we’ve focused on the content and

conviction of our faith through our doctrines and


“Who Is He?”

BONITA JOYNER SHIELDS

beliefs build confidence in Who they reveal. It would

do us well to develop an understanding of biblical

teachings in terms of how they illustrate the character

and mission of Christ rather than use them to create

to-do lists or win a Bible Bowl Contest!

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you

think you have eternal life; and these are they which

testify of Me” (John 5:39, NKJV).

THE MIND OF CHRIST

As you lead the study of Scripture in Sabbath

School, an emphasis not only on content and

conviction is needed, but on confidence in Christ as

well.

Ellen G. White tell us, “The faith that is unto

salvation is not a mere intellectual assent to the truth. .

. . It is not enough to believe about Christ; we must

believe in Him” (The Desire of Ages, p. 347, emphasis

in the original).

A typical Bible study is to take “proof texts”

about a particular belief/topic and string them

together to create a case for that belief. Of course,

comparing Scripture with Scripture is valuable in Bible

study. But with this method of biblical interpretation

context is often compromised. Mere intellectual assent

to a belief is the result. When Scripture is read in

context, however, a more complete picture of it’s

relation to Christ’s character is formed.

For example, consider the state of the dead

belief. You might begin by taking passages such as

Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6; Psalm 146:3, 4; and 1 Thessalonians

4:13-17, among others, to show that “the dead know

nothing,” and will not be raised until Christ’s Second

Coming. That’s good. This would help members

understand the content of their faith. You might next

explain how understanding this belief can shield them

from delusions of Satan that their deceased loved ones

can communicate with them. The next step would be

to ask, “What does the belief that ‘the dead know

nothing’ tell us about Christ’s character?”

As a Sabbath School teacher/discussion

leader, ask the question and wait for responses.

However, if you need help in getting them to

answer, one response would be that this reveals

God’s character of love in that dead loved ones do

not have to witness “from afar” the sins and

foibles of their loved ones still on earth. Many

former Catholics have expressed their relief at

learning this truth. It also reveals Christ’s justice in

that all His children will be taken up at the same

time to be with Him forever. These aspects of

Christ’s character can help to build confidence in

Christ, nor merely assent to a belief.

It takes effort to rethink our beliefs in light

of Christ’s character. But if we cannot see His

character in them, then, quite frankly, we may

need to rethink them altogether.

_

1.

Not her real name.

2. http://www.perspectivedigest.org/article/99/archives/18-2early--

Adventist-views-on-calvin-and-calvinism _

BONITA JOYNER SHIELDS

Is an editor and assistant director for discipleship in the General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department.

IN A NUTSHELL

Doctrines are important.

Understanding Jesus in a doctrine is even

more important.

The ideal is to present both aspects in a

Sabbath School class.

Volume 1, Issue 2

A s Acts 2:8 tell us, every person who

calls themselves a Christian is to tell

what they know about Jesus to others:

“You shall receive power when the

Holy Spirit has come upon you; and shall be

witnesses to me.” This is what a witness does: tells

others what they know from their personal

experience. There are basically two ways that a

Christian witnesses—verbally and by actions.

The “action” part of witnessing is easier for

most people; however, we all must be ready to

“tell” when asked or when a window of

opportunity arises because of our “actions.” It is

not an either/or choice. They go together. The two

cannot be separated. As one studies Scripture

there are numerous styles or approaches in sharing

Jesus. One approach is not better than another. In

fact most people are a blend of or use a blend of

styles depending upon the situation.

Let’s consider three styles of witnessing.

1. Direct approach: This approach could

also be called “confrontational” - not negatively

confrontational. It doesn’t mean addressing people

about the Mark of the Beast the first time you talk

to them! It simply means getting right to the point

of the matter. This approach is seen in Acts 2:36-

38. Peter is preaching and states bluntly to

listeners, “You crucified Jesus.” Their response was

“What shall we do?” Peter responds, “Repent and

be baptized.”

As one considers this approach, the danger

is that it could be viewed by some as a lack of

sensitivity or tact. However, most people who may

be considering accepting Jesus as Saviour, or other

teachings of Scripture, need someone to ask them

directly for a decision. They key is to pray for guidance

and as sensitively as possible call people to decision.

My first year in the ministry I was told the story

of a pastor who was preaching a series of revival

meetings. A family had been attending each meeting

but had not made a decision to accept Jesus. The

pastor had spoken to them several times, but the

husband and wife were still thinking about it. After

much prayer the pastor was impressed to ask the

couple for a decision following the next night’s

meeting.

However, the couple did not attend. It was late

when the pastor returned home, He could not sleep.

He was troubled—he was convicted that he was

supposed to ask the couple for a decision that night.

So he got dressed, drove to their home, rang their

doorbell, and got them out of bed! There in the living

room with everyone in bathrobes, he led the husband

and wife to a decision for Jesus.

This is certainly out of the ordinary, but the point

is there is a time to be direct. Some people by personality are

more direct; others become direct as the circumstances

dictate. The Holy Spirit will guide you and even help you

choose the right words to speak.

2.. Intellectually or discussion approach: Our

text for this style of witnessing is Acts 17:22-33. Paul Is

speaking on Mars Hill to the Greeks in Athens. The

listeners are philosophers and love to dialogue over

different topics. So Paul gets their attention and enters

into a discussion with them. Many sets of Bible studies

are built on this model. The Bible is studied

systematically, usually by topic.

Personal Witnessing Styles By Kurt Johnson


3. Testimonial approach: Numerous texts

come to mind regarding this approach. The woman

at the well in Samaria went home and told the

people all that Jesus had said and done for her. In

other words, she shared her personal experience.

Every Christian has a story. When you share your

story no one can argue with you regarding whether

it is right or wrong. It is your story. Everyone ought

to have in mind a simple personal testimony they

can use when the moment is propitious.

YOUR TURN This is an activity section. It is a way to get

the Sabbath School membership involved in the

topic. You can even develop this outreach as a

Sabbath School program.

1. Personal application. Take a piece of paper

and pen/pencil. List the three witnessing styles we

have considered today—confrontational, discussion,

testimonial. Beside each style write down one way

that comes to mind that a person might use the style

in everyday life.

2. Case study ideas. You can have members

divide into their Sabbath School classes and discuss

each style. Another way is to have small groups discuss

each item, or one of them, and then report or give a

demonstration.

Confrontational: If you have been giving

someone Bible studies and a friendship has developed,

you can tactfully ask them if they would like to make a

decision on the topic you are studying.

Discussion: When a person at work brings up a topic of

interest, you can take time to discuss the idea and

share your perspective from a Christian viewpoint.

Testimonial: If a neighbour brings up an issue/

problem they are struggling with, you can share how

Jesus, the Bible, or prayer has helped you.

1. Demonstrations. You can have some

members demonstrate to the Sabbath School how

they would use each of the three styles. They can have

each style used the wrong way, and then have the

audience tell what was wrong, and then have them do

it correctly.

Volume 1, Issue 2

IN A NUTSHELL

Different approaches appeal to different

audiences or individuals.

Different approaches appeal to individual

Sabbath School members.

Each one should know how to use a par-

ticular approach according to the circum-

I n his memoirs the Chilean author, Pablo Neruda,

wonder how the narwhal, a member of the whale

family, can be so interesting and yet so little known.

We know more about the surface of the moon than

we know about the narwhal. But the few things we do

know are fascinating.

These animals live year-round in polar regions.

The male, which grows to about 16 feet long and weighs

up to 3,300 pounds, is distinguished by a single, spirally

scored ivory tusk that extends from its upper lip to a length

of 10 feet.

But one of the most unusual characteristics of the

narwhal is the way in which it hunts for cod. Working in

perfect unison, a small group of narwhals dive down to

1,000 feet and drive schools of cod so quickly to the

surface that the fish lose consciousness because their

swim bladders expand too rapidly. At the surface, then,

narwhals—as well as seals and birds—feast on the

stunned cod.

In early Christian times, the people of Berea

earned the admiration of Luke because they were willing to

dive deep into the Scripture, what we today know as the

Old Testament. They “examined the Scriptures every

day” (Acts 17:11. NIV). In this way, they fed on spiritual

food and grew into strong, mature Christians.

Sometimes a member of our world church will

ask, “In our Sabbath School lessons, why don’t we just

study about the life and character of Jesus? Leave the hair

-splitting theology and doctrine to the scholars!”

If we set out to study Jesus’ life and character, to

observe His teachings as a model for our lives, one of the

first things we notice is that He Himself was a careful

student of Scripture. In meeting temptation in the

wilderness, He referred to the book of Deuteronomy. When

the Pharisees criticized Him for consorting with tax

collectors and sinners, He quoted the prophet Hosea. He

explained John the Baptist’s ministry by quoting Malachi.

“He based His ministry on Scripture, answered His critics

with it, and admonished His hearers to trust it. “If you abide

in My word,” He says, “you are My disciples indeed” (John

8:31, NKJV). We can look to the Bible with confidence as

our final authority in all matters of faith and life.’”1 Let’s not

overlook the important unity of Scripture, that all 66 books

form the inspired Word of God. Jesus is at the centre, at the

core, of every book of Scripture. As Martin Luther observed,

‘Every word of the Bible rings with Christ.” 2

Theses are just some of the reasons underlying the

Sabbath School Bible study guides as a central part of the

mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. If we wish to

be spiritually nourished, we must dive deep daily into the

study of Jesus’ life and to the Scriptures upon which He

based His claim as our Creator, Redeemer, and Friend.

_______________ 1 David W. Henderson, Culture Shift: Communicating God’s Truth to Our Changing World

(Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1998), pp. 83, 84.

2 In Isabelle D. Bunn, 444 Surprising Quotes About the Bible (Minneapolis, Bethany

House, 2005) p. 75


Consider the Narwhal By Gary B. Swamson

Question: My Sabbath School follows the plan of

having a program as well as the classes. Where can I

get ideas for programs?

Answer: This is a question that comes up quite often.

Many Sabbath Schools do not have a program

included, often because there is not time allocated

for one, or the church doesn’t like that kind of

programing.

If you use a Sabbath School program format,

the most important thing to remember is that

Sabbath School audiences do not appreciate “talking

head” on the platform who talks a lot and says very

little! Dynamic and interesting programs that have a

point to them, and include audience participation,

are appreciated.

Here are some places to bet ideas for

Sabbath School programs:

1. Sabbath School Tool Box. The “Sabbath

School Tool Box” magazine always includes five

program “Quick Starts.” These are not full programs.

They are idea starters on how to put together a

program based on a theme. One Quick Start is

always included based on the topic of the lessons for

the quarter.

Many of the articles in the magazine can be

crafted into Sabbath School programs. For instance,

the section titled “Snapshots of SDA History” has

stories and personality sketches that can be made

into interesting Sabbath School programs.

2. Sabbath School Program Planner, by

Dorothy Eaton Watts. There are five volumes in this

series. The programs cover all kinds of interesting

topics and contain excellent ideas on how to present

them. Book 1 has 65 program starters and complete

programs. Book 2 has 14 programs

centered on holidays and special occasions. Book 3

has 14 “Summer Survival” ideas and 14 complete

programs. Book 4 has 14 creative programs. Book 5

has 14 programs based on the fruits of the Spirit

outlined in the Bible. These books are available at

Adventist Book Centers, online at

adventistbookcenter.com, and from AdventSource

(adventsource.org).

3.You can build a series of programs around

a theme. A theme can be focused on some lifestyle

issue, a contemporary hot-button social issue, a Bible

doctrine theme, or some other topic that comes to

mind. For instance, the lessons on Ezra and

Nehemiah for this quarter present all kinds thematic

possibilities for skits, discussions, demonstrations,

pro and con dialogues, etc.

4. You can craft a series of Sabbath School

programs around missionary experiences. The

Mission Quarterlies that arrive at all churches can be

resources for developing mission-oriented Sabbath

School programs. The mission DVDs included in the

quarterly materials can serve as some Sabbath

School programs.

The main issue is to make any program you

design interesting and instructive.

“Boring” is the word to avoid!

Volume 1, Issue 2

Sabbath School Program Resources

By Jim Zackrison

IN A NUTSHELL

Dynamic programs are a blessing for

your Sabbath School.

Dynamic programs take time and crea-

tivity to plan and implement.

A s noted previously, the church

experiences a regular flow of recent

members. These people consider

themselves “new” In Seventh-day

Adventist thinking, a “new” member is the

equivalent of “recently baptized.” The series of

Bible Study Guides In Step With Jesus is designed to

help these new members learn about their role as

church members, to orient them about how the

Seventh-day Adventist Church is organized, and to

focus on how spiritual growth can become a

continuing reality in their lives.

Nevertheless, some members have a

different definition of “new” in mind. One often

hears someone say, “I am new in the church.”

“How long have you been a member?”

someone may ask.

“Ten years” may be the answer. How can

someone who has been a member for ten years be

“new?” Somehow, this person doesn’t quite feel

that they belong. They will benefit from a class that

studies the In Step With Jesus Study Guides. There

are also members who consider themselves “old”

Adventists who might like to refresh their memories

and update themselves. This group can also benefit

from the In Step With Jesus series of Bible Study

Guides.

RESOURCES

For both students and class coordinators

(teachers), resources are available. The key

resource is the four Bible Study Guides themselves.

As noted previously, these are designed in the same

format as the regular Sabbath School Bible Study

Guides. This is done purposely, because the idea is

to use the In Step With Jesus curriculum as a special

Sabbath School study. Once a person has finished

the series, the idea is that they will either return to

or join a regular Sabbath School class.

Using a Bible Study Guide designed in the

same format as the regular lessons accustoms new

members to the look and feel of the Sabbath School

Bible Study Guides. They are not strangers to the

regular Bible Study Guides when they join a Sabbath

School class.

HTTPS://WWW.INSTEPWITHJESUS.ORG

In addition to the print edition, there is an

online resource for the In Step With Jesus

curriculum. This website contains all four Bible Study

Guides, instant access to quotations and Bible

references, plus links to other valuable resources.

HOW TO USE THIS WEBSITE

This In Step With Jesus website is built

around links to many resources and materials. Click

“About” for an explanation of what In Step With

Jesus is about: (1) disciples love God completely and

others as themselves (John 13:35); (2) disciples

understand and obey the Word of God (8:31); and

(3) disciples bear fruit (15:8). Each entry contains

hyperlinks to Bible texts, statements from the

writings of Ellen G. White, and links to other

resources. This is always valuable because you can

read these references directly on the screen as you

study the lessons or prepare to teach from the

printed guides.

In Step With Jesus—3 By Sabbath School Tool Box


All four study guides are included on the

website. You can access any one of them. As an

example, here are some of the resources available

under Guide One:

1. A statement of the purpose of the

lessons: “Now that you have accepted Jesus as a

master, teacher, friend and brother, what does

that mean in our everyday lives?”

2. The webpage lists each lesson and gives

a synopsis of the focus of the lesson. For instance,

under Lesson 1, it reads: “Brand new disciples of

Jesus face the most exhilarating challenge of their

lives. They are opening their hearts and minds to

changes that they could never have imagined

before. And Jesus gives them the utter assurance

that He will be just as close to them as He was to

the original twelve disciples.” This gives the

instructor or class coordinator an overall view of the

purpose of the lesson.

3. Under this introduction is the word “More.”

By clicking on this hyperlink, the user has access to

Ellen G. White notes, further readings and activities

included in the lesson, and discipleship activities for

the whole family.

4. Another section is titled “A Closer Walk.”

Click on this title and you access three study sections

with hyperlinks to Bible verses and other statements

and quotes. For example: Click on “How to See God”

and you access Purpose, Activity, and “Think About

It”—a decision question.

5. Clicking on “Discipleship Activities of the

Family” in Lesson 1 reveals a “Family faith-sharing

tip” that demonstrates a family-oriented activity

involving a recipe for frozen banana popsicles, and

shows how to use this activity to share your faith and

initiate a family fellowship activity. You can do things

such as:(1) tell everyone in your family that you’re

planning a special treat and that when it’s ready you

will call them by name and invite them to follow you;

(2) ask: “What would have happened if you hadn’t

been called to make the treat? Or if you hadn’t been

shown what to do? Or if you hadn’t had a recipe”

Without someone to follow, who knew what to do, it

would have been difficult to make the special treat.”

That question illustrates the point of the lesson

studied.

The In Step With Jesus series of lessons are of

inestimable value to your Sabbath School. It would be

well worth the time of your Sabbath School

Committee to study this series and find ways to

implement it as part of your Sabbath School

programming.

Volume 1, Issue 2

Your Sabbath School . . .

We are your Ontario Conference Sabbath School Department. We are here to serve you. We are here for

training, advice, to answer all of your questions and also to provide you with Sabbath School materials and helps. We

also receive all of your Sabbath school reports at the end of every month. Please e-mail them to Lucille at

[email protected]

Our dream . . . To see every church reporting.

Pr. Allan Chichester Director

Lucille Grondin Secretary


May God Bless you abundantly in the New Year!

Ontario Conference

sabbath school leadership tools · 2020-02-14 · sabbath school leadership tools ecember 2019...

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