GROWING CHURCHES THROUGH

SABBATH SCHOOL CLASSES:A RELATIONAL APPROACH

J. Alfred Johnson, II

Director of Adult Ministries

North American Division

Copyright © 2013 J. Alfred Johnson II

PART 1

Growing Churches Through Sabbath School Classes:A Relational Approach

What Is Sabbath School?

“Seventh-day Adventist Local Church Educational Fellowship That Builds Faith And Practice”

Faith And Practice

Faith =

Biblical Understanding, Knowledge, And Personal Relationship With Jesus (“Know-Be”)

Practice = Application Of “Faith”

In The Context Of Living And

Witnessing With Jesus (“Do”)

Relational Approach?

“Responsive To People

And

Their Needs”

Relational Impact

People Will Tend To Be

Enthusiastically And Beneficially

Active In Sabbath School

To The Degree

That Their Needs Are Being Met

WHAT IF?

We Structured Sabbath School To Address The Baseline Evangelism and Nurture Agenda Of The Congregation – To Meet The Needs Of People?

We Formatted Time Usage In Sabbath School To Accomplish This?

We Made Sabbath School So Meaningful -- That People Would Rush To Class?

The Spirit Of Positive, Joyful, Sabbath School Lasted All Week?

Are You Willing?

To Prayerfully Advocate

For Adjustments

If

The Adjustments Will Be Beneficial?

Four Goals of Sabbath School

SABBATHSCHOOL

BIBLE STUDY

FELLOWSHIP &

NURTURE

COMMUNITY

OUTREACH

WORLDMISSION

STUDY – NURTURE – FELLOWSHIP – PRAYER – RECLAMATION – OUTREACH

WORLD MISSION FOCUSED

“SMALL GROUP FAMILIES”

We Are Dedicated To Facilitating Sabbath School Classes As Holistic, Relational:

Balanced Sabbath School

Must Include These Elements:

Bible Study

Community Outreach

Fellowship and Nurture

World Mission Emphasis

“Small Group Families”

Not “Classes” with “Teachers”

who “Guide Study”

But

“WEEKLY FAMILY REUNIONS”

Led By

“FACILITATORS”

who Guide The Small Group Process

What Is A Facilitator?

Illustration – “Ringling Brothers” Plate Spinner

“One Who Helps

To Get Things Started,

And Assists In

Keeping Them Going”

Webster: “A Person Responsible For Leading Or

Coordinating The Work Of A Group”

Ideal Facilitator Qualities

Kind; Loving; Christian Seventh-day Adventist

Caring; Sensitive To Needs Of People

Friendly; Unselfish; Good Listener

Positive Personality; Respectful

Prompt (Time Sensitive); Capable Of Inspiring

Participation In A “Process”

Capable Of Living And Leading The Study Of

“The Word” (If Teaching) With A Focus On

Transformational Learning (“Know-Be-Do” )

Ideal Atmosphere For Facilitation

Family Sits In A Circle (If Possible)

Facilitator Sits With The People

- Physically Equalizes Relationships

- Provides For “Eye Contact” And Ease Of

“Body Language” Communication

No Podium

- They Create Barriers

Relational Sabbath School: Working The Process!

PART 2

“Small Group Families”

Nurture- All Welcomed And Greeted By Name

- First Question, “What Kind Of Week Did

You Have?”

- Time For Testimonies and Prayer Requests

- Organize For ALL Family Members To Be

Contacted EACH WEEK (By Tuesday)

“Small Group Families”

Prayer Emphasis

-The Family Takes Time For Prayer Ministry

Gospel Workers, 259

(Italics and Other Emphasis Supplied)

“The greatest victories gained for the cause of God are not the result of labored argument, ample facilities, wide influence, or abundance of means; They are gained in the audience chamber with God, when with earnest agonizing faith men lay hold upon The Mighty Arm Of Power.”

“Small Group Families” Fellowship Emphasis

- Most SS Setups Not “Interaction Friendly”

- Difficult To “Read” And “Feel” People By

Viewing The Backs Of Their Heads!

- Balance The “Setup” With Monthly Family Fellowship Opportunities!

- Plan During Small Group Family Time!

“Small Group Families”

Reclaimation Emphasis

- How Many Churches Have No Need Here?

- SS Secretary Gets List From Church Clerk

- List Is Divided Equally Between Families

- No Contact Is Made! Only Prayer!

- Then Watch Our Lord Bring Them Back!

“Small Group Families”

Bible Study Emphasis- Begin With, “What Portion Of Your Study

Blessed You Most, And Strengthened Your

Witnessing Capacity?” (“So What Factor”)

- Then Move To Other Points In The Lesson

- Emphasize That We Study For Knowledge

That Leads To Relationship And Action!

(“Know-Be-Do”)

“Small Group Families”

Community Outreach- Emp. We Are Here To “Know-Be-Do”

- Determine The Family “Corporate

Spiritual Gift Cluster” (Areas Of Comfort &

Joy In Service For Most Family Members )

- Offer That Ministry To Church Leadership

Through The Sabbath School!

“Small Group Families”

World Mission Focus- Support World Mission Of The Church

- Go “The Second Mile” And Sponsor A

Local Or World Mission Project As

A Family!

To Accomplish This Format:

Consider Minimizing Program Time AND Maximizing “Small Group Family” (Class) Interaction Time!

Ideal “Family” Size?

How About The Number

Selected By Jesus?

Spawn New Family

When Growth Is About 20!

PART 3

Pathways To Successful Relational

Sabbath School Bridges

EFFECTIVE LEADER/FACILITATORS PASTORS & MEMBERSSTAND AT THE CORE

OF THIS EFFORT

1. Daily Baptism Of The Holy Ghost

Be Certain YOU Pray For The

“Baptism Of The Holy Ghost”

EVERY DAY!

Acts 1:8

Daily Baptism Of Holy Ghost

Holy Ghost “Within / In Us” - Power To “BE” – Leads Us To Be Nice!

(Fruit Of The Spirit – Galatians 5:22, 23)

Holy Ghost “UPON US” – Power To “DO”

(Baptism Of The Holy Ghost - Acts 1:8)

Baptism Upon Gives Us Ability (dunamis) To Function!

2. Love Your Ministry!

Show The “Family Members” They Are Cared For!

2a. Acknowledge and Practice“The Nelson Principle”

“Family Members” (Class

Members) Are More Likely To

Function At High Levels When

They Sense That Their “Family

Members” CARE For Them!

2b. “The Nelson Principle” Applied

Learn Their Names (3 John 14 – Greet By Name)

Communicate During The Week

Assure Them Of Your Willingness To Join Them

In Presenting Their Needs To The Lord

3. Acknowledge and Respond To

Four Basic Human Needs

RECOGNITIONRESPONS

E

NEW EXPERIEN

CESSECURITY

Four Basic Human Needs Applied

RECOGNITION – Validates “Personhood” And “Presence” In The Group

RESPONSE – Validates The “Person” As A “Contributor And Participant”

NEW EXPERIENCES – “Expand” The Horizons Of The Person And The Group

SECURITY – Engenders “Confidence”

4. Have A Good Attitude!

4a. Be Mindful That EVERYONE Projects

A “Personal Atmosphere.” Be Sure Yours Is POSITIVE!

* The “Ten Food Principle”

How many people do you know that have been led to Christ, and motivated to grow in Him BY PEOPLE WHO ARE NEGATIVE?

The Atmosphere We Carry

You are handling sacred things, and the spirit

and word and influence you carry are making

impressions upon the minds of others. The

atmosphere which surrounds the soul, if it is evil, will

be like a spiritual malaria, which will be poisoning to

those around. But it is profitable for the soul to have an

atmosphere that will be as a savor of life unto life to

others. When the soul is weighted with the truth which

works by love and purifies the soul, a heavenly

atmosphere will pervade the soul.

The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters (1985)

5. Discover and Facilitate Meeting

The Needs Of “Family Members”

Physical Spiritual Social

In Conclusion “Sabbath School Small Group Families”

Not Classes

“Facilitators” - Who Guide Small Group Process! “Teachers” – Who Guide Bible Study

“Relational Emphasis” Targeted To People

And Their Needs Through Caring Interaction

Minimize Program – Maximize “Family Time”

Balance Evangelism And Nurture Through

Goals Of Sabbath School In A Relational Way!

Your Church Will Grow Even More When Sabbath School Attendees:

Are Loved, Valued, Appreciated and Respected!

Are Encouraged To Share and Serve!

Experience Their Needs Being Met!

Have Fun and Fellowship!

Sense They Are In A Secure Environment!

Experience The Goals of Sabbath School Packaged In A Relational Way!

Resources At www.nadadultministries.org:

Bi-Monthly E-Newsletter, Network News

Over 200 Training Power Points

Virtual Adult Min. Festival Of The Laity

September 11-14 – www.festivalofthelaity.com

At www.adventsource.org:

Sabbath School, Personal Ministries,

Prison Ministries Catalogues

Google – “Cool Tools”

Sabbath School Tool Box – www.rhpa.org

Partners In Ministry,

Be Assured Of Our Prayers

As You Continue To

Submit Your Gifts To Christ

For The Strengthening

And Growth Of

The Body Of Christ!