A Discipleship Model for
Adult Sabbath Schools
© Copyright 2011 Florida Conference
Conrad Duncan – Director of Sabbath School and Community Services
From Florida Conference
Kim Johnson – Director of Curriculum Resources
http://www.floridaconference.com/sabbathschool/
Click on
“A Discipleship Model for Adult Sabbath School”
To view or download today’s PowerPoint go to:
The ultimate goal: To make adult Sabbath
School such a dynamic, life-changing place
that attendance is larger than at the Worship
Service.
We need to overcome the mental image of Sabbath School as the little sister to the Worship Service
Organized properly, adult Sabbath School can be the most effective
discipleship program of the local church!
The problem is that nationally most adult Sabbath Schools are struggling.
Increasing numbers of members only come to the Worship Service.
Do not attract nearly enough members in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s.
Very few non-SDA’s attend from the community.
Adult Sabbath School
“The Sabbath School, when
rightly managed, possesses
marvelous power, and is
adapted to doing a great work,
but it is not now what it may
and should be.” EGW, CSSW 9
Ellen White issued a stirring call for us to
create vibrant adult Sabbath Schools that are
overflowing with people. Sadly, across N.
America, they are only living up to a small
fraction of their potential.
What can be done?
First, Adult Sabbath School needs to correctly answer the key question:
What business are you in?
“We’re in the railroad business.”
“We’re in the record making business.”
What business is your Church in?
The church service business?
The Sabbath School business?
The Revelation Seminar business?
The health seminar business?
The Vacation Bible School business?
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you.” (Mt 28: 18-20)
Jesus said that our real business is:
Making Disciples!
“Neither going, baptizing, nor teaching are
ends in themselves; they are all means to the
end of discipling. . . We hear a great deal
about baptizing. We talk about teaching true
Bible doctrines. Neither of these activities is
an ultimate end of the gospel commission.”
Cont’d
“Jesus said the church’s business is making
disciples. To make disciples, we need to go, we
need to baptize, we need to teach. But these are
not our primary business. If these become ends
in themselves, if we ever concentrate on any of
them rather than on making disciples, we’ll
soon be out of business.”
(Floyd Bresee, General Conference Ministerial Secretary, Ministry Magazine, April 1990)
ETHAN ALLEN
FURNITURE FACTORY
Forest
NewBelievers
Maturing Disciples
“Go into all the world and
MAKE DISCIPLES”
Adult Sabbath School
Like an Ethan Allen Furniture factory, Sabbath School is supposed to produce something.
Russell Burrill commenting on Jesus’ Great Commission:
Recovering an Adventist Approach to the Life & Mission of the Local Church, p. 26.
“Jesus commanded the church to produce disciples, and that is what obedient churches should be doing.”
1-21-09
Sabbath School is supposed to be a “People Garden.” All kinds of people growing in all kinds of ways to reflect the love of Christ.
That means that our primary focus needs to be on PEOPLE.
Not on methods
Not on teaching tools
Not on my particular preferences
Not on preserving the past
Disciple-making requires that we target
the whole person. The focus needs to
be not only on the spiritual, but on the
mental, emotional, social, and physical
as well. They are all linked together.
1. Know what business Sabbath School should
be in – Making Disciples and growing people.
What can be done?
2. We also need to recognize that society has
changed dramatically over the last 80 years.
1. Know what business Sabbath School should
be in – Making Disciples and growing people.
What can be done?
There has been a dramatic shift in Generational Attitudes
Born before 1940
There has been a dramatic shift in Generational Attitudes
Born before 1940
There has been a dramatic shift in Generational Attitudes
Born before 1940 –
Out of the Great Depression
Loyalty to institutions
The U.S. Government
Gave them the New Deal
Won World War II
Prosperity in the Suburbs
There has been a dramatic shift in Generational Attitudes
“A Chevy man”
Cape Cod Bank & Trust
My Dad
Born before 1940 – Loyalty to institutions
There has been a dramatic shift in Generational Attitudes
They come to Sabbath School because that is where
they are supposed to be on Saturday morning,
regardless of how irrelevant or boring the program
may be. That is what the institution (the church) says
they should be doing.
Born before 1940 – Loyalty to institutions
There has been a dramatic shift in Generational Attitudes
Born after WWII
The Baby Boomer Generation (1946-1964)
Generation X (1965-1980)
Generation Y/Millennial (1981-present)
There has been a dramatic shift in Generational Attitudes
Born after WWII –
The tragedy of Vietnam
Loyalty to value
The U.S. Government
High debt and wasteful spending
Watergate
There has been a dramatic shift in Generational Attitudes
Born after WWII –
Purchase car with the best value
Invest in bank with the best interest
Me
Loyalty to value
There has been a dramatic shift in Generational Attitudes
Born after WWII – Loyalty to value
They only come to Sabbath School if they perceive
it to be valuable. If it is not relevant and interesting,
they will not waste their time, regardless of what
the institution says.
The Key Change In Perspective
“If people aren’t attending, it’s their problem.
They ought to be here. They must not be
committed, spiritual, etc.”
Adult Sabbath Schools that are stagnant or declining
usually have leaders who identify only with the
institutional loyalty mindset and refuse to adapt.
These leaders say:
“If people aren’t attending, it’s our problem.
What we are doing isn’t relevant or interesting
enough for them to feel it is valuable and
worthwhile.”
Adult Sabbath Schools that are growing and vibrant
have leaders who understand the dramatic generational
changes that have occurred and adapt. These leaders
say:
The Key Change In Perspective
“Its’ THEIR problem”
“Its’ OUR problem”
If they are not attending Sabbath School:
Your Sabbath School must choose
Born before 1940 – Loyalty to institutions
Born after WWII – Loyalty to value
The best thing we can do is to understand one another, put personal preference aside, and do what is needed to make Sabbath School a success.
The worse thing is for these two groups to fight against one another.
Like it or not, in today’s world the
only choice the church has is to:
“Change or die.”
Not our doctrines, but our methods.
Many people fear change and resist it.
But our own comfort
cannot dictate what
we do. We must be
governed by God’s
will and purposes.
The seven last words of the Church -
“We never did it that way before.”
1950 - 2011
“The no change” Church
To revive Sabbath School we have to think outside the box!
Change can be unsettling, but it can also be positive and beautiful.
Healthy change honors the past, retains
what is still working, and builds on that
to get us to a better, more effective
place.
Also, remember that Jesus was the
greatest Change Agent the world has
ever seen!
2. We also need to recognize that society has
changed dramatically over the last 80 years, and
so must the church in order to be relevant and
effective.
1. Understand that Sabbath School is in the
business of Making Disciples and growing people.
What can be done?
What specific changes are needed?
We are suggesting that your leadership
carefully consider how many of the
following eight items it is going to
embrace in order to enhance Sabbath
School.
As you think about change, remember to
start small and go slowly. From all that you
will hear today, think in terms of finding
one or two ideas that you can take home
and implement. Don’t try to do everything
at once.
Also remember the change principle that it
is better to add than to subtract.
+ -
GOOD
DANGEROUS
Better to add to Sabbath School than to
subtract from what is already there.
Learning Environment
What specific changes are needed?
Staring at the backs of heads.
Trying to hear what the person in the pew in
front of you saying.
A healthy learning environment is critical. It
sends a very powerful message about how much
or how little we actually value adult education
and relationships. The learning environment
needs to be:
Quiet.
Free from distraction.
Easily accessible.
Ways to create good adult learning environments
Movable partitions in the Sanctuary.
Movable dividers in the Fellowship Hall.
Unused spaces – pastor’s study, kitchen, Mothers Room, etc.
Use the Church School if you have one.
Use a nearby building if it is closed on Saturday.
Modular Units or eventual addition to building
The bottom line is to treat the creation of
effective adult learning environments as
essential and not optional. It is as essential
to learning as the Sanctuary is to worship.
1. Learning Environment
Teacher Training
Create excellent discussion questions.
Keep the discussion focused.
Deal with people who talk too much
Involve more people in the discussion.
Apply the lessons to everyday life.
Build increased trust and openness.
Get people to study more.
Teachers need to learn how to:
You don’t have to be an expert!
1. Learning Environment
2. Teacher Training
Focus on Information and Relationships in a
smaller setting.
Bible Study
Relation-shipsBible
Study
We’ve gotten so used to having adult Sabbath
School in the Sanctuary, we think that looking
at the backs of heads, not relating to one
another, and having a hard time hearing each
other is the only option.
Small groups have proven to be a great alternative.
In Small Groups people build both knowledge and relationships in a
non-judgmental atmosphere.
Russell Burrill comments:
“It is God’s plan and Jesus’ desire that Christians grow in small groups. The purpose of small groups is not just meeting to study the Bible. The purpose of groups is to give Christians a place where they can grow together.”
The Revolutionized Church of the 21st Century, p. 54
Ellen White’s perspective on small groups:
“To Ellen White, small groups were not just a program of the church, they were the major organizing principle of the work of the church. To have a church without small groups operating in it was anathema to Ellen White, for the church is to be built on small groups.”
The Revolutionized Church of the 21st Century, p. 137
Trinity Life
Church Life
Oneness
Trinity Life
Church Life
Community
Trinity Life
Church Life
“By this shall all men know that you are
my disciples, if you have love for one
another.” Jn 13:35
The supreme test of discipleship:Not how much we know
Not how often we go to church
Not how much we tithe
Not how active we are in the church
Jesus said, its’ how much we love each other -
Building relationships is vital
Relationships are formed best in a small
group setting. Sabbath School is a
wonderful place for Adventists to
experience small groups for the very first
time.
Meeting in small groups during
Sabbath SchoolSun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri
Sabbath School also becomes the “springboard” for small groups that
meet during the other days of the week
1. Learning Environment2. Teacher Training
3. Focus on Information and Relationships in Small Groups
Service Opportunities
Foreward to “Counsels on Sabbath School Work” written by the General Conference Sabbath School Department in 2002:
“From [Ellen White’s] counsels four chief purposes
have been developed for the world Seventh-day
Adventist Sabbath School system: (1) study of the
Word, (2) fellowship, (3) community outreach, and
(4) world mission emphasis.”
Bible Study
Service
Bible Study
Relation-ships
Relation-ships
A disciple-making Sabbath School needs to balance two important emphasis:
Outreach Nurture
Nurture without Outreach results in stagnation and little growth.
Nurture
And Outreach without Nurture results in people dropping out.
Outreach
They must be in balance
Outreach Nurture
The service projects are not done
AFTER Sabbath School, but DURING
Sabbath School.
That way Sabbath School itself
becomes mission oriented and you get a
lot more people involved in outreach.
Mem
ber
Par
tici
pati
on
Sabbath Morning
Sabbath Afternoon
Mid-week
Sunday
Organized Service Opportunities
100
2010
5
Plan 1: Dedicate 15 minutes of Sabbath School time in the group each week to service. For example:
Everyone bring their cell phone and call one shut-in or person in the hospital.
Collect shaving supplies each week and give to Homeless Shelter at the end of the month. Create festive wrapping.
Class members collect change in jars at home. Bring to class after a few weeks and use money to purchase a gift for a needy, hurting person.
Have everyone bring in fresh fruit to make a fruit basket. The group decides who to give it to. It need not be a shut-in, but anyone who needs encouragement.
Everyone bring a few fresh flowers that are picked or purchased to make a bouquet to bring to someone who could use some encouragement.
Have each class member purchase a card for someone the group decided on the week before. Bring the cards to the class, write a short note of blessing and appreciation, and everyone sign each card. Mail them at the same time.
Fill out postcard size “Encouragement Cards” or “Appreciation Cards” with the person’s name on the front. Give it to the church office to add the address and mail.
Plan 1: Dedicate 15 minutes of Sabbath School time in the group each week to service. For example: (cont’d)
Plan 2: Periodically devote all of the Sabbath School group time to service, staying within the building. For example:
Get white poster board that is 3 feet on each side. With a pencil divide it into 12” by 12” squares. Decide on one overall scene and have members color in only the portion in their square with crayons. Cut out and send one square per day to the person you want to uplift so they can put it all together. Include a note that it is a puzzle.
The class members practice a skit to be presented du ring the church service, children’s Sabbath School, or some other time. Choose skits that are designed to involve a dozen or more people. Skits can be purchased online from places such as:
http://www.crosspointscripts.com/site.cfm/home.cfm
http://www.willowcreek.com/servicebuilder/catalog.asp?catId=2
Plan 2: Periodically devote all of the Sabbath School group time to service, staying within the building. For example:
Assemble kits for the Homeless – “Street Corner Care Kit”
½ gallon freezer bagFoodDrinkSocksHand creamToothbrushetc
Plan 3: Periodically devote one entire Sabbath morning to service out in the community using a van or bus. Make the theme Random Acts of Kindness. For example:
Go online ahead of time and purchase balloons that you can have the company put a Christian message on. Take a rented helium tank to a downtown park, fill the balloons with helium, and give them away to families. If they ask why you are doing this just say, “To demonstrate God’s love.”
Purchase cold soft drinks or water ahead of time and have the class give them away to cars that stop at red lights.
Plan 3: Periodically devote one entire Sabbath morning to service out in the community using a van or bus. Make the theme Random Acts of Kindness. For example: (cont’d)
Florida Hospital Church offered eleven service opportunities during regular Sabbath School. Sign up ahead of time. Both within the church and community.
For other ideas see websites such as:
http://www.helpothers.org/ideas.php
Put “Random Acts of Kindness ideas” in a Google search.
Plan 3: Periodically devote one entire Sabbath morning to service out in the community using a van or bus.
Plan 1: Dedicate 15 minutes of group time each week to service.
Plan 2: Periodically devote all of the Sabbath School class time to service, staying within the building.
Service to Non-SDA’s during
Sabbath SchoolSun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri
Sabbath School becomes the “springboard” for ministries to occur
during the other days of week
1. Learning Environment2. Teacher Training
3. Focus on Information and Relationships in Small Groups
4. Service Opportunities
Need-based Alternatives
The adult Sabbath School Quarterly has
been a great blessing to many people
over the years.
We believe in using the Quarterly and we
promote it. Those who teach it should
certainly be honored.
Strengths of the Quarterly
Bible based
Extensive use of Spirit of Prophecy
Provides many spiritual insights
Content comes from broad input
Used throughout the denomination
Problems that must be faced
Classes that study the Quarterly are not well-suited for non-SDA’s
The issue is that non-SDA’s are
beginners among long-time Bible
students. They also have a hard time
relating to the “SDA lingo” from
members.
Ellen White in class
Our usual approach is to isolate non-SDA visitors.
We say, “They need their own class because
they’re not ready to study the Quarterly yet.”
The best answer is to invite people from the
community into a variety of alternative Sabbath
School groups that are designed to meet them at
the point of their need.
The groups are made up of members and their
non-SDA friends and acquaintances.
Various Bible Study Topics
Spiritual Health
Marriage & Family
Physical Health
Mental Health
Emotional Health
Possibilities for Alternative Sabbath School Classes
Nature
Court mandated attendance at an anger management classes.
Social agency required classes on parenting.
Curriculum for 3rd Quarter
TOPICWHERE MEETS 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26
JULY AUG SEPT
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Grief Recovery
Overcoming Stress
Prayer
Raising Great Kids
Sanctuary
Room 103
Fellowship Hall
Mother’s Room
Kitchen
Pastor’s Study
Fellowship Hall
# Wks
13
13
13
7
5
5
4
Spiritual Gifts Fellowship Hall 8
1. Convenience for them. Not tired after work.
2. Able to mingle with many more SDA’s. “Why are all of these people here?”
3. Free spiritual programs and activities for children.
4. Easier to get them to come to the Worship Service.5. We reach the entire family.
6. Highly relational setting instead of lectures.
Why Sabbath Morning for Non-SDA’s in small groups?
8. Benefits our own adults and children being around Non-SDA’s. Creates a mission mentality.
9. Teachers become more evangelistic in attitude.
10. Fulfills EGW’s dream of Sabbath School being a major soul winning agency.
7. Much easier to get SDA volunteers.
Why Sabbath Morning for Non-SDA’s small groups?
Sabbath Schools With Alternative Classes:
“Forgive to Live” seminar. 85 in attendance with 65% from the community. 8 Sabbath mornings.
Sabbath morning groups and classes attended by members and their friends from the community:
Non-SDA’s in the community
Service Tasks
Sabbath SchoolAlternative
Classes
“The object of Sabbath
School work should be the
ingathering of souls.” EGW, CSSW 61
“The Sabbath school should be
one of the greatest
instrumentalities, and the most
effectual, in bringing souls to
Christ.” EGW, CSSW 10
Problems that must be faced
Many of our adults ages 20-40 are not attracted to the Quarterly. We know they want value.
They also want choice.
For example, when McDonald’s opened in the early 1960’s it offered only burgers, fries and milkshakes.
We live in a world of choices and options.
What about today?
Chicken Salad
Caesar Salad
Southwest Salad
Fruit and Walnut Salad
Fruit and Maple
Oatmeal
Burritos
Steak and Eggs
Pancakes
McRibs
Filet-O-Fish
Honey Mustard
Snack WrapsChipolte BBQ
Wraps
Angus Wraps
Lattes
Capuccinnos
Smoothies
Because they love us??
Because they want to attract new business and be successful! They know that people demand options.
Why?
We ignore that lesson at our peril.
A mother with a critically ill son who wants to know more about prayer.
What does your adult Sabbath School curriculum
provide for these people in your town or city?
What does your adult Sabbath School curriculum
provide for these people in your town or city?
A young lady who wants to know about the book of Revelation.
A couple in their mid-30’s whose marriage has a lot of unresolved conflict.
What does your adult Sabbath School curriculum
provide for these people in your town or city?
What does your adult Sabbath School curriculum
provide for these people in your town or city?
A single mom with two kids who just lost her job and wonders how she can make the mortgage payments.
A wife whose husband just died in a tragic car crash.
What does your adult Sabbath School curriculum
provide for these people in your town or city?
What does your adult Sabbath School curriculum
provide for these people in your town or city?
A man in his 40’s whose doctor told him he has to lower his stress level now in order to get his blood pressure under control.
What does your adult Sabbath School curriculum
provide for these people in your town or city?
A couple in their early 20’s who are unable to control their two children. It is putting huge stress on their marriage.
What does your adult Sabbath School curriculum
provide for these people in your town or city?
A lady who is struggling with depression and anxiety.
Offer one or two alternative subjects then build from there as needed.
Not everything you offer needs to last thirteen weeks.
1. Learning Environment2. Teacher Training
3. Focus on Information and Relationships in Small Groups
4. Service Opportunities
5. Need-based Alternatives
New name for alternative classes.
SABBATH SCHOOL
Non-SDA’s haven’t learned about Sabbath yet.
School makes them picture homework, lectures, and tests.
Traditional Sabbath School
Life Enrichment Center
LIFE ENRICHMENT
CENTER
You can keep the traditional Sabbath School and develop the Life Enrichment Center as an ongoing alternative.
The name Life Enrichment Center should provide an
excellent opportunity to invite non-SDA’s:
“This group meeting is being held at the Life
Enrichment Center in my church” vs “My church is
offering this meeting.”
1. Learning Environment2. Teacher Training
3. Focus on Information and Relationships in Small Groups
4. Service Opportunities
5. Need-based Alternatives
6. New Name for alternative classes
Rethink Preliminaries
Those who have put together programs over
the years for the Sabbath School Preliminaries
should be thanked and honored for their many
hours of dedicated work.
We do, however, need to recognize that members
who consistently arrive late or at the end of the
Preliminaries are “voting with their feet” that it is
not relevant for them.
The answer is to not expect everyone to attend the
Preliminaries. Make them available for those who
want them or eliminate them altogether if there is a
consensus to do so.
Everyone could still be invited to gather together
periodically for Mission emphasis.
Start some small groups at the same time as
preliminaries for those who want to have more time.
1. Learning Environment2. Teacher Training
3. Focus on Information and Relationships in Small Groups
4. Service Opportunities
5. Need-based Alternatives
Various lengths of time
6. New Name for alternative classes
7. Rethink Preliminaries
TimeT i m e
Adult Sabbath School
10:30
9:00
Babysitting
1. Learning Environment2. Teacher Training
3. Focus on Information and Relationships in Small Groups
4. Service Opportunities
5. Need-based Alternatives
8. Various lengths of time
7. Rethink Preliminaries
6. Life Enrichment Center
Don’t be overwhelmed. Don’t go home
and try to change everything at once.
Select one or two items that you feel
have the best chance of success. Move
slowly, get support from leadership, and
build from there.
Every journey begins with one step.
With God’s special blessing and our willing
hearts, adult Sabbath Schools can once again
become vibrant, life-changing places!
http://www.floridaconference.com/sabbathschool/
Click on
“A Discipleship Model for Adult Sabbath School”
To view or download today’s PowerPoint go to:
THE END
Updated 9-7-11