sabbath school leadership tools...work at developing a close relationship between sabbath school and...

Sabbath School Leadership Tools

April 2019

Volume 1, Issue 1

Inside this Issue

TMI in Action 2

Sabbath School and

Personal Ministries

Coordination

4

Action Units 6

What Would Jesus

Ask

8

In Step With Jesus 10

In Step With Jesus 2 12

The Gift of Listening 14

Ontario Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

The World Church is sponsoring an outreach initiative

called “Total Member Involvement” (TMI). It is

described as “a full scale, world-church evangelistic

thrust that involves every member, every church, every

administrative entity, every type of public outreach

ministry, personal and institutional outreach.”

TMI is based on the Seventh-day Adventist Church

commitment to Jesus’ Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-

20), and the words in the First Angel’s Message, “the

eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the

earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and

people” (Rev. 14:6). Ellen G. White writes: “The work of

God in this earth can never be finished until the men

and women comprising our church membership rally to

the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers

and church officers.” - Testimonies for the Church, vol.

9, p.116.

TMI is an updated version of a time-tested and

successful strategy utilized in many parts of the world

field over the years. In some places it was called “Every

Member Evangelism.” A North American Division

version was once called “Mission (year added).”

A non-Adventist version was called “Evangelism-in–

Depth,” and worked in conjunction with the Billy

Graham Evangelistic Association and college/university

-based evangelistic entities.

Its greatest strength is in energizing more members to

become actively involved in both direct and indirect soul-

winning activities. It is focused on finding ways to

activate all kinds of ministry outreaches: seminars,

evangelistic campaigns, Bible studies, etc.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH SABBATH

SCHOOL?

One of the four primary purposes of Sabbath School is

community outreach. Whatever name it goes by, any

outreach program can become part of the Sabbath

School evangelism toolkit. Sabbath School members have

always been on the cutting edge of outreach and

evangelism. Some of the most successful church planting

projects have started as Branch Sabbath Schools.

Churches that have allowed Sabbath School to diminish

or discontinue have lost not only the educational

department of the church, but a cutting edge of outreach

and evangelism.

Ellen G. White made another innovative evangelism

statement. “The strength of an army is measured largely

by the efficiency of the men in the ranks. A wise general

instructs his officers to train every soldier for active

service. He seeks to develop the highest efficiency on the

part of all. If he were to depend on his officers alone, he

could never expect to conduct a successful campaign. He

counts on loyal and untiring service from every man in

his army. The responsibility rests largely upon the men

in the ranks.” - lbid.

TMI In Action

By: Sabbath school toolbox

The Sabbath School Update

Changing the analogy to further illustrate the point,

she writes on page 117: “Prepare workers to go out into

the highways and hedges. We need wise nurserymen

who will transplant trees to different localities and give

them advantages, that they may grow.”

For instance, the North American Division sponsors a

project called “Compassion 10Million.” “Compassion

10Million” is an opportunity for each Adventist

member in North America to be involved in mission by

becoming the eyes, heart, hands, and feet of Jesus

inside and outside the walls of our homes and

churches. It calls for Adventists across North America

to invest collectively 10 million hours blessing our

communities with intentional, repetitive, and relevant

acts of love and service.1

TMI world and North American Division projects

include many that are health-related. If your Sabbath

School has health-profession members, you could

coordinate with your church’s health ministry

department and sponsor some health-related seminars

or other activities. An organization called “Pathway to

Health” sponsors health-related outreach activities in

conjunction with the world Church and the North

American Division.2

The world TMI office lists some other involvement

possibilities:

Support Adventist World Radio, Hope TV, the Voice

of Prophecy, or other Bible schools, so their work

can continue over the airwaves

Get involved in a Sabbath School care group or

church outreach.

Organize a health seminar, small group, Bible study,

or evangelistic series in your home using available

evangelistic series in your home using available

outreach resources.

Participating in TMI projects is an excellent outreach

activity for any Sabbath School.

1 Http://compassionmovement.org. 2 Https://pathwaytohealth.org.

In a nutshell

Emphasizing TMI is a way to involve your

Sabbath School in outreach ministries

Outreach involvement will energize your

Sabbath School

Volume 1, Issue 1

Editorial note: An effective Sabbath School requires

careful organization. Sabbath School has always had

an excellent organizational arrangement. This series of

articles will highlight some of the key positions and

how they function.

The Sabbath School and the personal ministries

department of the church share many activities in

common. Personal ministries is the outreach planning

department of the church, and one of the functions of

Sabbath School is to participate in and sponsor

outreach activities.

An ideal organizational plan in a church/district is for

a representative of the Sabbath School committee and

the personal ministries committee to serve on each

other’s committees. In this way they can coordinate

plans and participation and enhance the effectiveness

of outreach activities.

Personal Ministries

The personal ministries department was established as

a major venue for soul-winning activities in the church.

It exists to teach and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ

in response to the command of Jesus, in the context of

the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12.

The personal ministries statement of purpose is,

“Equipping and mobilizing the membership to

accomplish the world mission of the Church.”

According to the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual,

“Personal ministries provide resources and trains

members to unite their efforts with those of the pastor

and officers in soul-winning service.”1 One of the ideal

ways to activate this goal is to include systematic

Sabbath School member participation.

Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Coordination By: Sabbath School Toolbox


A pamphlet titled Keys for the Personal Ministries

Leader, published in print and online by the Sabbath

School and Personal Ministries General Conference,

provides guidance on how to organize an effective

outreach program.2

Sabbath School represents one of the key sources of

personnel for the outreach initiatives of the church.

THE PERSONAL MINISTRIES LEADER

According to the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Manual, the personal ministries leader “trains and

directs members in outreach (missionary) service and

chairs the personal ministries council.” The leader

reports in the monthly church outreach (missionary)

Sabbath service and business meetings about total

outreach (missionary) activities of the congregation.

Assistants may be assigned to coordinate the Bible

correspondence school, bible evangelism, literature

distribution, small-group ministries, member

training, and other soul-winning programs.”

RESOURCES AND SUPPLIES

The Sabbath School secretary and the personal

ministries secretaries work together to better the

effectiveness and efficiency of both entities. The

Sabbath School secretary is responsible for keeping

Sabbath School records and ordering and distributing

Sabbath School supplies.

The personal ministries secretary is responsible for

ordering and distributing church supplies in general,

and is the key liaison between the local

church/district and church resource suppliers such as

Adventist Book Centers and providers such as

AdventSource. These personnel need to work together

very closely.

ADDING OUTREACH TO SABBATH SCHOOL

Many years ago one of the world divisions devised a

plan to mobilize Sabbath School classes and enhance

their outreach potential. It was called Sabbath School

Evangelistic Units, later adapted in the North American

Division as Sabbath School Action Units. The idea was to

assign someone in the class leadership team to

cooperate with personal ministries to make sure each

Sabbath School class had a specific outreach project.

One of the key projects that Sabbath School has always

utilized is Branch Sabbath Schools. These have been

organized under various names such as Neighborhood

Bible Clubs. Many Branch Sabbath Schools have

developed into newly planted churches. Personal

ministries has cooperated by providing people who are

expert in giving Bible studies and holding member-led

evangelistic campaigns.

ADAPTABLE ACTIVITIES

Personal ministries has traditionally sponsored core

outreach activities that are custom-made for Sabbath

School participation, such as (1) door-to-door

evangelism, (2) literature distribution, (3) personal Bible

studies, (4) member-led evangelistic campaigns, (5)

church-sponsored health and community-service

seminars, (6) local church Discover Bible Schools, and

(7) small– group ministries.

Personal ministries can cooperate with Sabbath School

in initiating and running baptismal classes such as the

traditional pastor’s class and baptismal classes in

Sabbath School departments.

The recently developed In Step With Jesus curriculum

designed for new members is an ideal venue of activity

for both Sabbath School and personal ministries

personnel.

Work at developing a close relationship between

Sabbath School and personal ministries in your church.

You will be amazed at the result!

Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, Revised 2015, 19th Edition. (General

Conference of Seventh-day Adventists), p. 100. 2 Available in print from AdventSource (www.adventsource.org) and

at Adventist Book Centers. Online downloadable copies are available at nadult-

ministries.org and sabbathschoolpersonalministries.org.

Volume 1, Issue 1

2. A loving, caring atmosphere develops that is essential to

quality church growth. Most members who leave the

church do not leave over doctrinal issues but for lack of

true friendship and loving fellowship.

3. Attendance increases of up to six times previous

attendance have been reported. Excited action unit

members are successful in inviting their friends to class.

4. Large numbers of missing and former Sabbath School

and church members return. Many units make bringing

them back their first priority.

5. Membership involvement in outreach of all types,

especially Bible study work, is phenomenal. This, of

course, is the major purpose of an “action” unit.

6. All the above results in large numbers of quality

baptisms. The newly baptized are not left to backslide but

are immediately invited, by those who taught them, to join

their Sabbath School Action Units. Here they receive

follow-up support and witness training so that they

become strong soul winders.

7. Tithe increased up to eight times in three years, and

Sabbath School offerings reportedly more than doubled in

many places in a short time. When each unit gets excited

about the Lord and His work, in addition to giving more

time to study and prayer, they naturally give more of their

means to hasten the spreading of the good news.

Underlying Concepts for Success First, those who developed the plan sought most diligently

wisdom from the Lord and through much prayer

discovered and built the plan on the following nine basic

divine imperatives for a finished work as set forth in the

writings of God’s messenger to this church:

What is the ideal Sabbath School like?

It is a place with a warm, caring atmosphere, where new

and older members feel the spiritual and emotional

support and encouragement they need in meeting the

complexities of daily life. It is a place where missing

members are first cared for, where the class outreach

leader then leads out as they share the joys and

challenges they met in sharing Jesus during the week in

accordance with their class outreach plan.

Finally, it is a place where prayer lists are updated,

where soul winning training is conducted that is

appropriate to the outreach needs of the coming week,

and where total participation in the discussion of the

lesson takes place as it is applied to life and witnessing

opportunities that week.

This is a brief description of the simple Sabbath School

Action Unit plan set in operation to organize, equip, and

mobilize the church to accomplish its mission and to

give support to new members and to active long-

standing members.

It is a revolutionary and comprehensive plan covering all

the objectives and essential elements of Sabbath School,

and its broad perspective can include all aspects of

Personal Ministries.

Results This plan has brought tremendous increases in at least

seven ways:

1. Many report increases in Bible study immediately or

within a few weeks. Often it has been stated that 90 to

100 percent are studying daily. When members have

time and opportunity, and experience the joy of sharing

what they learned in the class, they study diligently so

they can share.

Action Units—Part 1 Editor: Gary B. Swanson


“The church must realize its obligation to carry the

gospel of present truth to every creature.”1 In doing

so, “they will find pure happiness and rich joys.”2

“We can receive only as we impart to others.”3

The work will never be finished until the

membership unites with the ministers of the work.4

The essential latter rain cannot come until the

“largest portion of the church are...laborers together

with God.”5

The greatest help that can be given our people is to

teach them to work for God, and to depend on Him

not on the ministers.”6

“Time is short, and our forces must be organized to

do a larger work.”7

“Every church should be a training school for

Christian workers.”8

“The Sabbath School, if rightly conducted, is one for

God’s great instrumentalities to bring souls to a

knowledge of the truth.”9

“One who cannot err” has advised the formation of

small groups “as a basis of Christian effort.”10

The small-group Sabbath School Action Units can

provide adherence to the above imperatives. They can

provide an excellent, organized, and continuous training

school, without adding another organization with its

time requirements, since Sabbath School already meets

every week. The system with its outreach leaders can

provide the greatest help, weekly promotion and training

in soul winning, both theoretical and practical, so that the

largest portion of the church can soon be unitedly

working together with God for a finished work.

When the whole church works unitedly, God works to

produce unlimited results. We are told, “If Christians

were to act in concert, moving forward as one, under the

direction of one Power, for the accomplishment of one

purpose, they would move the world.”11 Much prayer is

essential in every detail of the plan. “Only the work

accomplished with much prayer...will in the end prove to

have been efficient for good.”12

Finally, the plan is so simple that everyone can easily

follow it. We are instructed to implement a simple plan

and notice the promised results. “The very simplest

modes of work should be devised and set in operation

among the churches. If the members will unitedly accept

such plans, and perseveringly carry them out, they will

reap a rich reward; for their experience will grow

brighter, their ability will increase, and through their

efforts souls will be saved.”13

Leaders and Pastor Chichester who attended Kirk Thomas’ seminar at

the DiscipleShift Ministries Convention of March 22-23, 2019

Volume 1, Issue 1

Jesus and His disciples were en route to Caesarea

Philippi. As they were walking along, He tossed them a

question that at first sounded a bit casual or offhand:

“‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’” (Matthew

16:13).

The disciples offered a range of answers, all of them

tentative, maybe even evasive. They were at first

apparently being cautious.

“‘ But what about you? ’” He asked. “‘ Who do you say I

am?’” (vs. 15).

Thus Jesus moved them from what appeared to be a

rather superficial question to one of the most probing in

all the Gospels.

Many students of Scripture have explored, analyzed,

and categorized the questions that Jesus asked in His

three–year ministry on this earth. There are 52

questions recorded in the Gospel of Matthew alone.

Exploring all of them would be instructive but beyond

the scope of an article like this. The single question

“Who do you say I am?” however, provides unusual

insights into some of Jesus’ most effective teaching

techniques.

Jesus posed questions that moved learners toward a

goal. This shifts the focus from teaching to learning.

His questions were not intended to fill in the quiet time.

This is why what a teacher does in a Sabbath School

class is not as important as what the class member

does. The effectiveness of a teacher is gauged by

positive changes in the lives of his or her students.

Jesus knew His students well. He wasn’t simply

making conversation to pass the time on the road to

Caesarea Philippi. There was one very clear purpose in

His question. His objective was to bring the disciples to a

realization that He was the Messiah. And rather than

come right out and declare it, He knew that creating a

moment in which they would have to articulate it would

have a greater impact on their learning– and their

response to that learning. And the point that Jesus was

intending His disciples to learn came from the learners:

“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of

the living God’” (vs. 16).

Jesus asked questions that prompted learners to draw

on personal observation and experience. “It is not the

best plan for teachers to do all the talking, “ writes Ellen

G. White, “but they should draw out the class to tell what

they know.”1 In this instance on the road to Caesarea

Philippi, Jesus’ opening question was much like, “What’s

the word on the street about the Messiah?” “What are

the people saying?” At this level, the learners have

opportunity to share what they have observed.

But then, with His follow-up question, He moved them

from observation to experience: “Who do you say I am?”

He’s asking them now to draw on their own experience

with Him. At this stage what other people say isn’t

pertinent. What’s important is a personal response from

the learner.

Jesus presented simple questions. They were

conversational, everyday, direct. Difficult or complicated

questions that stump a class often lead merely to an

opportunity for the teacher to display privileged insights.

What Would Jesus Ask?

By: Gary b Swanson


The Bible study in a Sabbath School class is not intended

for the teacher to show off his or her knowledge or

preparation. “There is in all true teaching a certain self-

obliteration… The teacher and the preacher are in the

last analysis only finger-posts to God.”2

When a teacher becomes the sole source of information

in a Sabbath School setting, the role of the learner is

turned from active participant to passive or inactive

sponge. Learning must be active to have any kind of

longstanding result.

Jesus asked questions directed at individuals with

universal implications. “Who do you say I am?” though

directed at Peter, was intended for all the disciples– and

for countless others they would witness to in the future

(including us). We may not have the same awareness of

posterity when we craft our discussion questions, but

they should be composed with the idea that they may

have an impact that reaches beyond the end of the class

period and into the everyday lives of the class.

Jesus posed questions that encouraged learners to

make a commitment. When He asked Peter, “Who do

you say that I am?” He wasn’t merely involving him in an

intellectual exercise. He was not intending to be merely

provocative. Identifying the Messiah isn’t a multi-choice

exercise in which the trick is to guess the right answer.

Satan himself would pass that test. “Even the devils

believe” (James 2:19). Jesus was inviting Peter and the

others to commit themselves to a new life.

A Sabbath School class that is studying stewardship

should focus less on the mere dictionary definition of the

term “stewardship” and more on embracing it in

everyday life. Not “What is the definition of

stewardship?” but “How would stewardship make a

difference in someone’s everyday life?”

In crafting life-changing discussion questions for a

Sabbath School class, a teacher can look to Jesus as a

model. This will make a difference in the quality of

learning that goes on, which may even have eternal

consequences.

1 Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 115. 2 William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Mark (Philadelphia:

Westminster Press, 1571), p. 200.

Volume 1, Issue 1

Seventh-day Adventism is mission oriented and

experiences a regular flow of new members. Some of

these join because of attending evangelistic series.

Some have taken Bible studies; some are

Correspondence Bible School graduates. Some have

been members of a church-sponsored baptismal

class, or a pastor’s class during Sabbath School time.

Spouses and family of members may attend

regularly. They may be considered part of the church

family but have not joined through baptism. Non-

attending members (sometimes referred to as

“backsliders” appear and express a desire to return to

the church.

Occasionally people responding to the voice of the

Holy spirit walk in off the street. In one church a

person walked in one Sabbath morning, heard the

praise team presentation, and after the service asked

if he could join the team. They welcomed him and he

became a regular member. Sometime later he

approached one of the team members and said that

he had decided to be baptized. Astounded, the

member said, “Aren’t you an Adventist?”

“No,” he said, “I’m a Seventh-day Baptist. This was

the only church I could find in the area that worships

on Sabbath, so I came here. I have listened to the

sermons, studied my Sabbath School lesson, and

made friends. I have decided to join the church.”

All these categories of people usually consider

themselves as “new.” Even people who have been

members for years still sometimes refer to

themselves as “new.” Some longtime members hear

something that rings a new bell in their thinking and

they remark, “But I always thought…”

All these people groups benefit from an orientation-

type study of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, its

beliefs, mission, and lifestyle.

THE IN STEP WITH JESUS CURRICULUM

The Sabbath School and Personal Ministries

Department of the General Conference has developed a

curriculum designed to orient and inform new

members and to help established members review the

panorama of Adventist belief and practice.

The curriculum study guides have the same

appearance as the Sabbath School Adult Bible Study

Guides. The curriculum is designed as a four-quarter

Sabbath School class, though each module can be used

separately.

This curriculum is not designed as a baptismal class. It

is a post-baptism series of studies. The study guide

content is organized for interactive study. It explains

unique Seventh-day Adventist vocabulary; terms we

use that may be new to recent members. It contains fill

-in review sheets in which students may respond to

the topic under consideration. In the next few issues of

Sabbath School Toolbox, we will review these study

guides and outline how to use them.

CURRICULUM CONTENTS

The In Step WITH JESUS curriculum includes four

Bible Study Guides. Each is numbered. They may be

used in sequence, or as self-sanding units, depending

on the situation and environment.

In Step With Jesus By: Sabbath School Toolbox


1. The Journey Begins. This study covers: (5) the

meaning of the call to discipleship and the Christian

‘journey’ [Lessons 1,2]; (2) who Jesus is [Lessons 3,4];

(3) what it means to adopt and practice a Christian

lifestyle [Lessons 5-8]; and (4) how to study the Bible

as the guide to Christian life [Lessons 9-13]. This Bible

Study Guide is excellent for a new believer to help

establish biblically oriented devotional habits and

lifestyle practices.

2.The Power of Love. This guide deals with

developing what some call a Christian personality

(also called a sanctified life, or a Christian-oriented

human relationship). It covers: (1) God’s original plan

for the human race and the plan’s eventual

restoration [Lessons 1-3]; (2) the ongoing controversy

between Christ and Satan and how it affects those

attempting to live a Christian life [Lessons 4,5]; (3)

personal issues that may hinder Christian growth and

how to deal with them [Lessons 6,7]; (4)

accomplishing Christian growth within the church

family and in personal relationships with family and

personal people networks [Lessons 8-13]. This is a

very practical bible Study Guide dealing with everyday

human relationship issues that all Christians face.

3. The Power of the Word. This Bible Study Guide

pinpoints basic Adventist doctrinal beliefs from the

perspective of how the individual Christian can practice

them: (1) the power to do so comes form Jesus [Lessons

1-4]; (2) Sabbath and Sabbath-keeping [Lessons 5,6];

(3) stewardship and Christian finance [Lesson 7]; (4)

healthful living [Lesson 8]; biblically-oriented sexual

practices and faithfulness in marriage [Lesson 9]; (6)

illness, death, and physical and spiritual healing

[Lessons 10-12]; (7) the Second Coming and the

restoration God’s original plan [Lesson 13].

4. The Power of Mission. This Bible Study Guide

outlines the mission of the church and the part any

member can play in forwarding that mission: (1) the

mission to evangelize as seen in the life of Jesus, the

early Christian church, and the Seventh-day Adventist

Church [Lessons 1-4]; (2) the ways that an individual

Christian fits into the mission of sharing the gospel

[Lessons 5-9]; (3) how to work with some specific

people groups [Lessons 10-12]; (4) the importance of

keeping Jesus in the forefront of all outreach activities

[Lesson 13].

In future issues of Sabbath School Toolbox, we will

outline how to use these In Step With Jesus study guides

in your Sabbath School.

It is very important to sponsor an orientation

class for new members.

Some longtime members will also benefit.

Keep these articles on file for the benefit of

Sabbath School leadership teams.

In a Nutshell

Volume 1, Issue 1

As noted in the previous issue of Sabbath School

Toolbox, 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.” Some members,

however, often 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?”

“Ten years” may be the answer. How can someone who

has been a member for 10 years be new? Somehow,

they don’t quite feel that they belong.

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE An ancient Greek philosopher remarked that you can’t

step into the same river twice! In the history of the

settlement of the early western United States,

controversies (and sometimes open warfare) often

arose between settlers, the original arrivals, and

homesteaders, more recent arrivals. Settlers often felt

the new arrivals were taking over and didn’t like the so-

called “old-timers.” Homesteaders had a hard time

fitting in and feeling included. This same phenomenon

happens in churches. It is surprising how often one

hears comments about “all these new people taking

over!”

Contemporary Adventist literature regularly contains

information generated by additional study that may use

different terms and vocabulary; or may even correct

some long-standing flawed ideas. These changes often

cause reactions such as “But I always thought…”

With this in mind, the world church provides the

Sabbath School In Step with Jesus curriculum. Recent

converts learn what Adventism is all about. And long-

time Adventists can restudy in a contemporary

framework the beliefs and lifestyle of the church.

HOW IS THE STUDY GUIDE PUT TOGETHER? This curriculum contains some unique features. The

following examples are from Lesson 1 of the Study

Guide titled The Journey Begins.

1. The main learning sections are formatted as

questions and answers based on Bible verses to look

up and read. For instance, in Lesson 1 (about the

calling of the first disciples of Jesus), Monday’s lesson

asks: “How do we know that Andrew was overjoyed

with his experience of visiting with Jesus? Read verses

41,42.” The students will write in their answers or

discuss them in a small-group setting. There is also an

opinion question that represents a personal response:

“In your opinion, why were Andrew and Philip so

eager to tell someone else about Jesus.”

These questions and answers help the student build a

database of biblical knowledge and understanding.

2. “Walking With Jesus in the Real World.”

Everyone loves a story! Each lesson has a personal

story as part of Sunday’s lesson. All the stories are

from real experiences. As much as possible, each story

relates to the topic of the lesson.

3. “A Closer Look.” this section appears in a shaded

box at the end of a daily lesson.

It is an explanation or definition of some biblical item

and provides additional information. Here is an

example from Lesson 1 (Wednesday): “Lamb of God.

In Step With Jesus 2 By: Sabbath School Toolbox


This title, given to Jesus by John the Baptist, refers to

the sacrificial lamb that was offered as an atonement

for sin.

4. “Adventese.” New members, and even current

members, especially younger people, may not be

familiar with terms commonly heard in sermons,

conversations, and Sabbath School classes. For

instance, Lesson 1 (Thursday) has a shaded

“Adventese” box that explains what a Sabbath School

“quarterly” is and describes various age group

editions. Occasionally, the section gives brief historical

accounts of the Adventist Church and tells of current

items of special interest.

5. “Key Terms.” This is a shaded box that defines or

identifies something in the lesson. For instance, Lesson

1 (Monday) identifies the titles “The Twelve”: New

Testament writers sometimes refer to the 12 disciples of

Jesus simply as ‘the Twelve.’ These 12 were later

appointed by Jesus as apostles or leaders.”

6. “Checking Up.” This is a full-page section in each

Friday’s lesson. It continues the learning process by

using a quiz, a question, or an activity to relate the

lesson to the student’s personal experience, and an

activity to extend knowledge. This section also contains a

decision segment.

For instance, one of the “Checkup Up” questions is:

“Your Own Experience:” Place a + before a statement

that is true; place a 0 before a statement that is false. At

the end of each statement, there were be directions

asking you to tell more. This ‘tell more’ may be done in

your study group.

“I recognize that it is Jesus calling me to be His

disciple.” Explain.

“It took me a long time to respond to His invitation.”

Why?

“I am learning almost every day something new

about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.” Give

an example.”

7. “Consider This.” This is a full-page section that is

part of each Friday’s lesson. Often this part will present

additional information from social sciences, history, etc.

related to the week’s topic. This section will often note a

website where students can obtain further information

about the topic.

In Step With Jesus is a well-organized

curriculum.

Some long-time members will also benefit.

Keep these articles on file for the benefit of

Sabbath School leadership teams.

In a Nutshell

Volume 1, Issue 1

PREPARATION

The year 2019 is the centenary of Adventist family

ministries. Each quarter at least one Quick Start

program will focus on the key ingredients of healthy

relationships. This program focuses on the importance

of listening to each other.

Prepare a large gift box by using an attractive storage or

presentation box or wrap a plain box in attractive gift

wrap. In this box place a pair of eye glasses, a pair of

earphones or large plastic ears, a small pair of shoes, a

large cardstock question mark, something heart-shaped

(preferably soft), a pair of rubber gloves, and a

cardstock speech bubble with a picture of a gift on it. If

you can’t find an object, use a picture instead. You could

also create a PowerPoint presentation using pictures of

the objects and slides with the key points and verses.

Place the gift box on a table at the front before you

begin the program. Optional: Set up the equipment to

show the YouTube clip about listening.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Welcome: Welcome to Sabbath School! Today we are

learning about growing healthy relationships by giving

the gift of listening.

Suggested Opening Song: The Seventh-day Adventist

Hymnal, no. 974, “Not I, but Christ.”

Morning Scripture Reading: James 1:19; Proverbs

18:13.

Mission Emphasis Program Theme: The Gift of

Listening

Share an experience of your own about a time when you

didn’t listen well and something funny happened. Or a

time when someone listened well to you, and the result

was amazing or helpful. Then ask the following questions

to the group and record their responses on a screen or

flip chart.

What do good listeners do well? (Give good eye

The Gift of Listening By: Karen Holford


Why is listening so important for growing healthy

relationships? (We get to know each other better

when we respectfully listen to each person’s stories

and perspectives, etc.)

What do you think prevents us from listening well?

(We’re too busy, too distracted, too focused on

ourselves rather than others, we fear getting over

involved in other people’s lives, etc.) If possible,

show this short and helpful video clip: https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BdbiZcNBXg.

Share the following:

Our listening is a gift to others. It is especially

meaningful when we listen with our whole body. (Open

the box and take out each item in turn as you illustrate

the points):

Eyes: (glasses) When we’re listening we need to

give good eye contact, preferably 100 percent of the

time. This lets the other person know that he or she

is special and worthy of our full attention.

Eyes -(ears or headphones) We need to listen to

everything they say. This shows that we are totally

focused on them and not distracted by our own

thoughts and selfish preoccupations. (Have a

volunteer read aloud Proverbs 18:13.)

Feet- (shoes) We need to put our feet into the other

person’s shoes and walk through their life for a while.

This helps to empathize with their emotions and

challenges. (Have a volunteer read aloud Matthew 3:12.)

Curious mind—(question mark) When we ask good

questions, we show that we are interested in

hearing more. These questions invite the other

person to keep talking and to think about their

experience from different perspectives. “Tell me

more about it…”

Feeling heart—(soft heart) we need to listen for

people’s emotions, help them to identify their main

feelings, and then respond appropriately to them.

“Wow! That sounds amazing! I wish I had been there

to cheer you on!” That must have been so sad. I’m

sorry that you went through that all alone” (Have a

volunteer read aloud Romans 12:15). This shows that

we understand their feelings.

Helpful hands—(rubber gloves) We can listen for the

person’s practical and relationship needs and say: “It

sounds as if you might like some encouragement.”

Or: “I wonder if you would like me to go to the

hospital with you next week.” Or simply ask: “How

may I help you?” This shows that we care enough to

make a generous and active difference (Have a

volunteer read aloud Galatians 6:2).

Mouth—(speech bubble) Once we have listened well,

we can respond with words that are encouraging

gifts (Have a volunteer read aloud Ephesians 4:25.)

Encourage audience participation: Have people find a

partner that they feel comfortable with. Have the

partners share a short incident from their past week. As

one person speaks, the other person can practice good

listening skills with their eyes, ears, feet, mind, heart,

hands, and mouth. Remind them to swap places so that

each person has a chance to listen and to be heard.

Conclude the activity with the whole group by discussing

what it felt like to receive the gift of good listening, even

for a short time. Encourage the Sabbath School class to

take the time this week to listen to a family member or a

friend.

Volume 1, Issue 1

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

Sunday April 28 Introduction to the Bible: Canonization

and Biblical Issues

Sunday May 5 Introduction to the Bible: Overview of

Bible and Understanding Biblical Themes

Sunday May 26 Biblical Interpretation: Authority of Bible

and Choosing Translation

Sunday June 2 Biblical Interpretation: Principles of Inter-

pretation

Sunday June 23 How to Interpret the Writings of Ellen G.

White

Sunday Sept 8 The High Calling of Sabbath School

Sunday Sept 22 Lesson Preparation


Ontario Conference Designed by Malissa Flores

sabbath school leadership tools...work at developing a close relationship between sabbath school and...

Documents