Revitalising the Sabbath School by Terry Messenger

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Revitalising the Sabbath SchoolbyTerry
Messenger
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WHY DONT PEOPLE COME TO SABBATH SCHOOL?
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SABBATH SCHOOL PROBLEMS

• There is a decline in Sabbath School attendance
  in many places.
• It was discovered that nearly 20 of those who
  have been Adventists from four to ten years never
  study their Sabbath School lesson.
• The comparison between church enrollment and
  Sabbath school attendance shows a large number of
  missing members.
• The majority of Sabbath School teachers have
  never had any training.

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• Recent findings show that Sabbath School
  attendance has dropped from 80 of church
  membership to 40 of church membership in the
  past 30 years.
• Although the condition of every church may
  differ, it is a real challenge to bring
  attendance as high as church membership.

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The Objectives of Sabbath School

• Bible Study
• Fellowship
• Community Outreach
• World Mission

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The Motto of Sabbath School

• To Win
• To Hold
• To Train

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Gods Great Instrumentality

• The Sabbath school, if rightly conducted, is one
  of Gods great instrumentalities to bring souls
  to a knowledge of the truth. (Counsels on
  Sabbath School Work, p. 115)

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Life-Giving Power of God

• 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 whom Christ
  died. This order of things must be changed if
  our Sabbath schools meet the purpose for which
  they exist. (CSW, p. 157)

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Structure

• Give 1 hour
• Sharing time
• Prayer
• Experiential study
• This will help build relationships

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Dropping the Mask

• Being real
• Sharing struggles

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Prayer

• Pray for one anothers concerns
• Pray on the spot
• Sentence prayers

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Prayer Journal

• List requests
• Tick when answered
• Thank God

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Method of Study

• Use Bible rather than lesson book
• No need to cover whole lesson!
• Bring out key points
• Practical rather than theoretical

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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 might 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?

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Facilitators Function

• To guide discussion rather than teach
• A Shepherd

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Fellowship

• Get together socially
• Plan outreach projects together

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Community Friendly

• Use Bible primarily
• Explain purpose of Sabbath school
• Avoid SDA jargon
• Show love and care but dont go overboard!
• Encourage visitors to share
• Dont criticise differing beliefs

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Alternative groups

• Parenting
• Discovering Christianity
• Marriage
• Debt Management
• Stress Management
• Controlling Anger

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The Secret of Excellence

• The secret of excellence in teaching is in
  association and fellowship with the great
  Teacher. We too can commune with the Master
  Teacher and learn to teach as Jesus taught.
  If they labored in connection with Him,--His
  divine power combining with their human
  effort,--they could not fail of success.
  (Desire of Ages, p. 811)

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