The Sabbath School Handbook

Sabbath School J. Alfred Johnson II, Director of Adult Ministries

North American Division
Training Workshop Forward

Manual Hello Fellow disciple!

What and honor it is to unite with you and the Holy
Spirit in the fulfilling journey called Sabbath School!
(This manual) is designed to assist you with find in
Seventh-day Adventist Church your role in processing the Four Objectives of
Sierra Leone Sabbath School:
November 2011
 Study of the Word
 Fellowship
 Community Outreach
 World Mission

I am speaking of a Sabbath School process that

majors in Class Interaction, in which each class
becomes a strong Bible Study-Prayer-Nurture-
Reclamation-Fellowship-Community Outreach Cell
of the Local church, with caring, listening leaders!

Ask the Holy Spirit for His anointing WITH YOU

(Galatians 5:22, 23), for proper attitude in service,
and UPON YOU (Acts 1:8) for appropriate POWER
to function effectively on His errands.”

Forward 2
Mission and objectives of the Sabbath School.......................................................................................2
Sabbath School Personnel 2
Sabbath School Committee appoints: 2
Screening 2
Sabbath School Committee 2
Sabbath School Committee Responsibilities..........................................................................................2
Sabbath School Committee Agenda Items 2
Sabbath School Records 3
Master Record File 3
Offering Records 3
Reporting to the Sabbath School 3
Divisions and Classes 3
Planning Class Leader’s Meeting 3
Sabbath School Personnel Responsibilities 3
Sabbath School Coordinators 3
Sabbath School Coordinator- 25 Hours/month.....................................................................................4
Asst. Coordinators for Evangelism 8 hours/month...............................................................................4
Asst. Coordinator for Membership-8 hours/month..............................................................................4
Asst. Coordinator For Hospitality- 8 hours/month...............................................................................4
Asst. Coordinator For World Mission-8 hours/month.........................................................................4
The Sabbath School Secretary-10 hours/month....................................................................................4
Receptionists -3 hours/month 5
Who Walks in your Church Door? 5
Visitor’s Packet 5
Class Leaders-25 hours per month 6
Care Coordinators 8 hours per month 6
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Traditional Sabbath School Program 6
Full Time Learning Program 6
Five Adult Sabbath School Audiences 7
Action Units 7
Special Days 7
Special Days Program 7
Community Guest Day 7
Branch Sabbath School Leader 7
Branch Sabbath School Program 7
Adult Sabbath School Teacher 8
Sabbath School Offerings (chart) 8
Sabbath School Report Forms 8

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 Mission and objectives of the Sabbath School
The primary mission of Sabbath School is to teach members how to work for the Lord, reach people
successfully and share God’s grace truth. p.1
Objectives:
 Study  Sabbath School Mission Offering
 Fellowship  Sabbath School Expense
 Community Outreach  Thirteenth Sabbath Offering
 World Mission Emphasis  Birthday and Thank Offerings
 Sabbath School Offerings p.10  Investment Fund
Sabbath School Personnel Sabbath School Committee appoints:
 Must be members in regular standing  Adult Class leaders
 Elected by church, or appt. by Church Board  Division Secretaries
or Selected by Sabbath School committee  Music Directors
Sabbath School Officers include:  Pianists/Organists
 General Coordinator (Sabbath School  Greeters
Superintendent)  Ushers
 Asst Coor. (As needed)
 Children’s Ministry Coordinator Screening
 Sabbath School Secretary
 Asst. Secretaries No adult should be considered for a leadership role in a
 Division Leaders church sponsored ministry or activity until he/she has been a
 Investment Secretary member of the congregation or known by the organization
for a minimum of six (6) months.

Sabbath School Committee Sabbath School Committee Agenda Items

Members include:
 General Coordinator (chairperson)
 Asst. adult coordinators
 Children’s Ministries coordinator
 Sabbath School Secretary
 Asst. Secretary
 Division Leaders
 Investment secretary
 Personal Ministries Director
 An Elder Appt by the Church Board or Board
of Elders
 The Church Pastor
Sabbath School Committee Responsibilities
Facilitates the smooth running of the Sabbath
School. Anything that concerns the entire
Sabbath School may be considered in this
committee.
Meets to plan for the coming year and schedule
regular meetings throughout the term.
 Appt. of officers not elected by the Church
 Appt. of adult class leaders
 Adjustment in class membership
 Development or scheduling of training programs
 Materials, equipment, and facilities for the various
divisions
 Scheduling Community Guest Days, Promotion
Days, and other Special Occasions
 Setting goals for offerings, membership, and
attendance
 Expediting allotment of Sabbath School expense
funds
 Evaluation of overall Program
 Development of new adult Sabbath School classes
 Planning for community Outreach
 Other Sabbath School items that division leaders or
the children’s coordinator may bring

Divisions and Classes Planning Class Leader’s Meeting

 Children Every Sabbath School should have a class
 Beginner (0-2) leaders’ meeting. The best results are obtained
 Kindergarten (3-5) when the meeting is held prior to the Sabbath,
 Primary (6-9) so the leaders have time to assimilate the
 Junior (10-12) material and place it in their lesson plans.
 Earliteens (13-14) Agenda
1. Study the next week’s lesson
 Youth (15-18)
2. Continuing education on teaching
 Young Adult (19-35)
technology, the study of a book or a
 Adult (35+) course on teaching methodology.
 Divisions and Classes 3. Discussion of any general problems that
 Extension Division
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Sabbath School Personnel Responsibilities
Sabbath School Coordinators
1. No. 1 –General Coordinator, special days, rally day, etc. -1st Sabbath
2. No. 2 – World Mission – 2nd Sabbath
3. No. 3 – Music and Special Features -3rd Sabbath
Each church will plan appropriate system for their needs.
Sabbath School Coordinator- 25 Hours/month
 To encourage implementation of Sabbath
School goals and objectives
 To administer the adult Sabbath School by
developing leadership, chairing the Sabbath
School Committee, building an evangelistic
Sabbath School, and recruiting volunteers
 Supervise all class leaders
 Arrange training support and resources for
Adult Sabbath School
 Check with the Sabbath School secretary on
the adequacy of records and the accuracy and
promptness of quarterly reports on the
(mission)
 Foster the development of an adequate
collection of Sabbath School books, cassettes,
and videos in the church library.
 Be on hand early Sabbath morning to
coordinate activities and answer questions.
 Work closely with the pastor particularly in the
planning of training events, community
outreach, and special programs.
 Call monthly meetings of the Sabbath School
Committee.
 Call quarterly planning sessions where future
plans and calendars for the division can be
coordinated.
 affirmation to given to Sabbath School volunteers
Asst. Coordinators for Evangelism 8 hours/month
 Direct Sabbath School outreach in the community
 Plan Community guest Day
 Sponsor Friendship Evangelism
 Follow-up Vacation Bible School
 Plan for Branch Sabbath School
 Dev. Follow-up of Visitors
Asst. Coordinator For Hospitality- 8 hours/month
 Recruit, train, and supervise greeters
 Arrive early and supervise greeting process
 Assign visitation of inactive members.
Devise a plan for welcoming visitors and recording
their names, addresses and phone numbers
The Sabbath School Secretary-10 hours/month
may need consideration
 Call a yearly planning session soon after the
election of officers and before the new year
begins
 Prepare the agenda of all meetings of the
Sabbath School Committee
 Represent adult Sabbath School interests on
the church Board
 Implement the four Sabbath School objectives
 Plan with the Asst. Coordinator for
evangelism in promoting Branch Sabbath
Schools, Community Guest days, Friendship
Evangelism initiatives and class outreach
opportunities.
 Plan with the reclaiming of inactive members
 Plan for mission education program
 Plan for care of visitor
 Plan for Sabbath School Growth
 Encourage activities outside of Sabbath
School time such as potlucks, picnics, nature
walks, and other social activities.
 Make sure the extension division is
functioning properly
 ID potential Sabbath School personnel
 Be on hand early Sabbath morning
 Plan training events
 Arrange for frequent appreciation and
Asst. Coordinator for Membership-8
hours/month
 Analyze the local membership situation by
the checking the Sabbath School member
with Church membership
 Maintain Up-to-date list of contact info
 Assign visitation of inactive members.
 Help integrate newly baptized members
 Plan for Branch Sabbath School
 Dev. Follow-up of Visitors
Asst. Coordinator For World Mission-8
hours/month
 Make mission emphasis interesting
 Promote Mission giving
 Coordinate 13th Sabbath Program
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  The Sabbath School Secretary cares for the records, supplies, offerings, and clerical details of the
Sabbath School and all its division.
 Class secretaries are responsible to the general Sabbath School secretary for information on
membership, attendance and daily lesson study, and offerings
 Distribute and collect the class report cards, offering envelops, and personal ministries reports
 Check cards, count and record offerings
 Enter all weekly statistics in the Sabbath school Record and Registry
 Keep receipt from church treasures of all offerings
 Transfer names of all class members to the new Sabbath school class records each quarter.
 Maintain a Sabbath School membership file including baptized, unbaptized, inactive and
prospective members.
 Maintain the weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly records required.
 Keep minutes of Sabbath School Committee meetings
 Preserve all records and pass them on to a successor
 Order and distribute all supplies and publications for the Sabbath school.
 Send out notices of meetings and take minutes of the meetings.
 Count the money, and record the amount and turn the funds over to the church treasurer
 Ask the treasurer for regular monthly financial statements.
Sabbath School Records
The Sabbath School secretary is responsible for keeping accurate records of Sabbath School activities and
reporting to the Sabbath School Committee and the local conference (Mission)
Master Record File Offering Records
The Sabbath School should keep a master record file. The class record keeping system will include a
Items recorded in the registry relate to membership, record of the class mission offering goal, and the
attendance, offerings, officers, daily lesson study, weekly amount received in the class. A weekly
teacher meetings, Sabbath School Committees, record of all Sabbath School offerings should be
baptisms, Branch Sabbath Schools and Community kept by the Sabbath School secretary and
Guest Days. reported to the class.
As soon as possible after the offering is counted
It also contains monthly, quarterly, and yearly and recorded, the secretary should turn the
summaries of Sabbath School activities. The weekly money over to the church treasurer and receive a
records are useful in preparing monthly statistical receipt. These receipts should be filed as a
summaries of Sabbath School activities for the permanent record of the Sabbath School
Sabbath School Committee, and yearly reports for the
church business meeting.
Sabbath School Class Records Reporting to the Sabbath School
Each adult Sabbath School class should have a class The Sabbath School members should receive
record listing the names of the members. All officers (periodic) updates on how the Sabbath school is
and class leaders should be listed. As well as member doing.
of the baptismal classes, specialized ministries, and Some of the statistics that may be shown are:
the extension division. membership, attendance goal, actual attendance,
offering goal, actual offering, daily study goal,
Anyone who wishes may be a member of the Sabbath actual number following daily study plan,
School class, and should be recorded in the class Investment goal, and Investment returns to date.
record. The Sabbath School teacher is authorized to The information could be displayed on a chalk
add the names of people who indicate their desire to board, white board, overhead projector, or in the
join. church bulletin and/or newsletter. Many Sabbath
Schools have register board in the front of the
sanctuary, used to inform Sabbath School
members about the progress of the Sabbath
School.

Receptionists -3 hours/month
 To make the atmosphere of the church warm and inviting.
 Make others feel comfortable, welcomed, and loved.
 Make friends of strangers.
 Become acquainted with the regular members so they can recognized visitors when they arrive
 Introduce themselves first, extend a welcome, and then ask for the visitor’s names.

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  Introduce the person to someone who will show them a seat or help them find Sabbath School
classes
 Introduce newcomers to one or two other people in the church with whom they might feel
comfortable because of shared interests.
 Show parents how to meet children’s needs
 Show visitors where to put wet umbrellas and how to find the restrooms.
 What to do with cell phones
 What people look for:
 Warm, friendly place
 Human contact
 Courteous treatment and to be recognized
 Verbal and body language that says “you are welcome and accepted”
 An attitude that says “We want you here”
Who Walks in your Church Door? Strategies Visitor’s Packet
 Unchurched people  Take-Don’t send  “What’s an Adventist” Brochure
 Irregular attending  Show- Don’t  History of the Church (SL)
Adventists “hand-out”  Weekly activities
 Guests of Members  Connect with  Contact Number for church
 Visiting Adventist others-Don’t just personnel
seat them

Why do Missing Members Miss?

 Conflict- unresolved conflict with pastor, members, theological issues, church standards and
policies
 Unmet Expectations-not helped during time of stress in their lives or burn out from church work not
appreciated, not able to make friends.
 Law of affinity-lack of contacts of similar age group and interest
 Inability to relate-lack of ability to build meaningful relationships.

Class Leaders-25 hours per month
The role of the class leader is primarily to assist
people in learning that will lead to faith development.
The class leader is also expected to promote
fellowship, community outreach, and world missions.
Should devote 3-4 hours in lesson preparation, 2-4
hours for teachers meeting and attend committee
meetings
 Teach the lesson and/or serve as discussion
leader
 Encourage daily lesson study
 Attend teacher’s meetings and training
sessions
 Seek to involve students in discussion and
active learning
 Be aware of the characteristics of adult
learners and their life issues and strive to
meet those needs.
 Dynamic Sabbath School Classes
 Develop Theme for programs
 Set attendance goals
 Advertise
 Build class identity
 Involved in outreach and soul winning
 Lessons study at least 40 minutes
Care Coordinators 8 hours per month
 Encourage Class members to call, visit
missing members
 Set class offering goals and take up mission
offering.
 Class leaders are responsible for all
aspects of class management, such as
attendance records, welcoming visitors,
distributing materials
 Encourage members to be active in all
activities of the church.
 See that member receive their Bible Study
guides
 Watch for visitors and invite them to attend
the class
 Take attendance
 Promote World Missions

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Traditional Sabbath School Program
9:15 Song Service
9:30 Opening Remarks, Welcome, Prayer
9:35 Keeping on Course (choose one)
Progress Report
Evangelism
Investment
Improvement
Occasional Special Feature
9:40 Musical Selection
9:45 World Mission Report
9:55 Class Time
Class Activities – 10 min
Lesson Study – 30 min
10:35 Closing Remarks. Preview Next Week
Five Adult Sabbath School Audiences
 Traditionalists
 Fellowship-oriented
 Those who wish to do in-depth Bible Study
 Social Action Groups
 Multiple interest Groups
Each audience group should have a leadership team
made up of a team leader, teacher, greeter and prayer
leader. Each should have corresponding spiritual gifts.
Must meet weekly. Goal to find people like themselves
and invite them to Sabbath School. Couples, Young
Mothers, Parents, Musical groups, Temne, Mendi, etc.
Special Days
 Advertise Day
 Ask all members to invite friends, relatives,
neighbors
 Send written invitations of former members
 Display poster in foyer
 Appoint welcoming committee
 Special bouquet of flowers on the platform.
 Select motivated and effective speakers for
platform
 Select special music for the occasion
 Offer awards for anyone bringing a visitor
 Share meal with class members and visitors
 Make visitor feel welcome and record
information about them for follow-up
 Thank members for bringing visitors
 Contact every visitor thanking them for
coming and inviting them back
 Enroll new member in Sabbath School
 Keep records and a scrapbook
Full Time Learning Program
9:00 Family Fellowship-singing, group activity,
greeting, share and talk together
9:25 Group Activity (children go to div.)
9:40 Mission Feature or Person Ministry Training
9:50 Training or Nurture Seminar
10:20 Lesson Study
10:50 Closing
Action Units
9:15 Song Service
9:25 Welcome, Prayer
9:30 Music/special Feature
9:35 World Mission Report
9:45 Action Unit Begin
Outreach Time 25 minutes
Lesson Study 35 minutes
Benediction in Classes
Class of six to eight
Outreach leader/care coordinator
One hour class time
Time for Missing Class Members
Outreach Time: training for outreach and prayer
Special Days Program
 Stay on time
 Prayer should be offered of friends and
guests.
 Extend Cordial Welcome to “Community
Guest Day”
 Mission Preparation: TOLD NOT READ
 Lesson Study: Teachers prepared and
visitors welcomed and introduced by
name to the class and encouraged to
participate
Community Guest Day
A Community Guest Day is listed in the church
calendar for the fourth quarter of each year. The
purpose is to introduce the surrounding community
to the work of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Programs are planned one quarter in advance.
Church anniversary might be celebrated. Avoid
subjects that might offend those invited
Community Service Awards to Outstanding
Volunteers in the Community given
Fellowship Meal. Decorations and Choir Music
provide. Members mixed seating with guests
Give a Welcome packet to all visitors and a thank
you note for coming
Choose familiar Hymns or Choruses to sing.
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Branch Sabbath School Leader
 Organize and conduct and evangelistic
program using Sabbath School materials to
be held any day of the week
 Vacation Bible School, The Sabbath School
Quarterlies, Health Studies, the 28
Fundamental Doctrines, etc.
 Send out invitations to neighbors
 Follow Sabbath School program format
 Forms a basis for a new church
 Members incl. church members, missing
members, guest to Sabbath school, prison
min. contacts, hospital visit contacts,
evangelistic meeting contacts. Etc.
 Meet in private home, public buildings,
vacant buildings, prisons, nursing homes,
out of doors

Branch Sabbath School Program

Song Bible study and discussion
Welcome Mission Story (video, verbal presentation)
Opening Song Closing Song
Special Feature (music, quiz, health talk, Prayer
etc.) Branch Sabbath School Plan Sheet
Adult Sabbath School Teacher
Three Aims Skills
 Facilitate Bible Learning  Teach in a variety of ways leading to
 Motivate spiritual growth active discussion and analysis
 Enable class members to develop scripturally-  Ability to help adults unlearn
oriented life-styles. erroneous concepts and learn correct ones
 Adult Sabbath School Teacher  Ask questions that promote study and
Qualities participation
 Recognition of God’s call to teach  Attention getting skills
 Personal Experience with Christ  Bible knowledge doctrinally and
 Knowledge of the Bible experientially
 Knowledge of Human Nature  Adult Sabbath School Teacher
 Personal Qualifications Methods
 Consecration  Start with Central Concept-Connect
 Cheerfulness the Learner
 Patience and tact  Share expert information-visually,
 Pleasing Speech auditorily, kinesthetically, olfactorially.
 Love  Guide them to Apply to their personal
 Feeling of Responsibility lives.
 Explore ways of Sharing and
deepening new knowledge.

Sabbath School Offerings (chart)

13th Sabbath Birthday/Thank
Adult Sabbath School Teacher Methods Investment Weekly Mission
40% CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
10 % WORLD DIVISION SPECIALS
EXPERIENCIN (evangelism, new churches, etc.)
G
5 % GENERAL CONFERENCE
OPERATIONS
8. INTEGRATE 1. CONNECT 10 % INTER-DIVISION EMPLOYEES
7. VALUE 2. EXAMINE (Pastors, doctors, teachers, evangelists.)
REFLECTING 35 % World Division Appropriations (General
DOING CENTRAL Operations of the World Church)
CONCEPT

3. IMAGE
Sabbath School Report Forms
3. PERSONALIZE
5. TEST/TRY 4. DEFINE
 Statistical Report Quarterly by Church clerk
and mailed the 5th day following last
Sabbath in the Quarter
CONCEPTUALIZING  Sabbath School Attendance Report 2nd
Sabbath each Quarter by each class leader
 Sabbath School Profile 2nd Sabbath of each
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quarter by Sabbath School Sec.

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Sabbath School Teaching Skills by Level
Age Level Teaching Skills
1. Ability to teach in a variety of ways, all leading to active learning and the
involvement of the student sin discussion and analysis.
2. The ability to help adult participants unlearn erroneous concepts and learn correct
ones.
Adult/Young
3. Ability to formulate and ask question in a way that engenders class participation
Adult
and study.
4. Attention-getting skills that engender participation and interest.
5. Sufficient biblical knowledge to be able to teach what the Bible says both
doctrinally and experientially.
1. Ability to engender active participation, creativity, and innovation.
2. Impart biblical knowledge through interactive experiences.
Youth 3. Present biblical knowledge in a positive way that indicates that the gospel is
always gain.
4. Engender participation that encourages positive responses from peers.
1. Ability to manage a group of juniors in a way that encourages learning, but does
not stifle creativity and curiosity.
2. Ability to turn responses, no matter how unique they may be, into positive
Junior/Earliteen learning experiences.
3. Biblical knowledge based on interactive learning and focused on real life
experiences as related in the Scriptures.
4. Present Jesus in an appealing way and lead the class member to a commitment to
Him as lord and Saviour.
1. Ability to impart cognitive information and biblical knowledge at he age level of
vocabulary and understanding of primary children.
2. Permit an open environment that encourages questions and responses, based on
Primary interactive learning principles.
3. Present Jesus in an appealing way and lead the class members to a commitment
to hi as Lord and Saviour.
4. Knowledge of the teaching materials available and how to use them.
1. Patience.
2. Ability to love and understand small children and deal with them in a loving,
kind way.
Kindergarten 3. Knowledge of children’s learning abilities and how best to engage them in
interactive learning experiences.
4. Ability to teach in a concrete rather than abstract manner.
5. Knowledge of the teaching materials available and how to use them.
1. Patience.
2. Ability to love and understand small children.
3. Awareness of developmental stages in a child’s life.
Beginners
4. Awareness of how to gage the developmental stage of each child.
5. Ability to teacher in a concrete rather than abstract manner.
6. Knowledge of the teaching materials available and how to use them.
Sabbath School Handbook, page 102

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