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Thoughts About the Sabbath School Department
In the paragraphs that follow, I have presented a number of key thoughts about the History, Mission, and Objectives of the SabbathSchool department. Perhaps one way to summarize these thoughts is by recognizing that the Sabbath School Teacher is the Instrument that in the hands of God to win souls for Him. This work is performed each Sabbath as teachers stand before their respective classes. May God continue to give them wisdom to accomplish this most significant task.
History and Origin of the SabbathSchool
AdventistSabbathSchool work, the general equivalent of Sunday schools of other denominations, began in 1852 when James White wrote the first SabbathSchool lessons. A Sabbath-keeping former Millerite preacher and one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist church, White organized the first regular SabbathSchool around
1853 in Rochester, New York; another was organized by John Byington in Buck.s Bridge, New York in 1854; and the third was organized in 1855 by M. G. Kellogg in Battle Greek, Michigan.
Early Sabbath Schools had only two divisions, one for children and one for adults, called the Bible Class. Teachers placed much emphasis on the memorization of Scripture. In 1863, the first series of SabbathSchool lessons adapted for children appeared. The same year the first adult SabbathSchool lessons, written by Uriah Smith, another early Adventist pioneer, appeared in the Review and Herald.
The Mission of the SabbathSchool
The mission of the SabbathSchool is to be a system of local church religious education that builds faith and practice. The SabbathSchool is based at the local church. It builds faith through the study of the Scriptures and the doctrines and teachings of the Seventh-dayAdventistChurch. It builds practice through the application of biblical principles and the teachings of the Seventh-dayAdventistChurch to the individual lives of the SabbathSchool members.
Objectives of the SabbathSchool
The SabbathSchool has four specific objectives:
1. Study of the Word
2. Fellowship
3. Community Outreach
4. World Mission Emphasis
These four objectives are the basis for every activity of the SabbathSchool in all divisions.
Outreach and Evangelism
Research and experience show that Sabbath Schools are not really successful unless they include elements of outreach and soul winning. The SabbathSchool should be one
of the greatest instrumentalities, and the most effectual, in bringing souls to Christ..Counsels on SabbathSchool Work, p. 10. It has been proved in the missionary
field that whatever may be the preaching talent, if the laboring part is neglected, if the people are not taught how to work, how to conduct meetings, how to act their part in missionary labor, how to reach people successfully, the work will be nearly a failure. There is much to be done in the SabbathSchool work, also, in bringing the people to realize their obligations and to act their part. God calls them to work for Him, and the ministers should guide their efforts. Counsels on SabbathSchool Work, p. 184.
Types of Branch Sabbath Schools
A church plants BranchSabbathSchool. This type of BranchSabbathSchool is held on Sabbath at the same time as the regular SabbathSchool, using the same materials, but in another location. Its purpose is to establish a new SabbathSchool and eventually
a new church. It is advisable to consult with the pastor and church officers regarding
the best location for this type of BranchSabbathSchool. An outreach Branch Sabbath
School. This is evangelistic in nature and may be conducted on any day of the week. It is designed to create spiritual interest and bring souls to a saving relationship with Jesus. It may be conducted for children, youth, or adults.
SabbathSchool Teacher
The work of the SabbathSchool teacher is critical to the success of the SabbathSchool. The ideal is that all SabbathSchool teachers be persons with the spiritual gift of teaching. That is not always possible, but anyone asked to teach a SabbathSchool class must take the task seriously and be willing to devote the necessary time, and willing to learn how to teach effectively. Teaching is more than an activity or a science; it is an art. To the teacher is committed a most important work, a work upon which he/she
should not enter without careful and thorough preparation. He should feel the acridness of his calling and give himself to it with zeal and devotion. Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 229.
By
Jude Edwards
