Traditionally, Sabbath School has been the organization that reached out to the community, made friends for Jesus, and connected these friends to the church. In fact, in years past, Sabbath Schools became so active in the community that the position of Personal Ministries director (also known as home missionary leader or lay activities leader) was added to the list of church officers. The Personal Ministries director’s role was to assist in coordinating Sabbath School outreach projects and to ensure proper follow-up of new members.
The Sabbath School and Personal Ministries departments worked hand in hand; in many cases, attendance at Sabbath School was greater than at the worship service! Outreach through Sabbath School and general church programs made for a strong soul-winning program that involved the entire church family.
Reflecting on the purpose and function of the Sabbath School, Ellen G. White shares this insight: “The Sabbath school should be one of the greatest instrumentalities, and the most effectual, in bringing souls to Christ.”1
In Counsels on Sabbath School Work, we read that Sabbath School should be a hub of activity for the local church. Through the Sabbath School, members should find the following:
1. Training or preparation for service.
2. Established service within the local church and community.
3. Encouragement for and activity in Bible study.
4. An emphasis on world mission.
5. Friendships and support of one another for issues faced in daily life.
The following Personal Ministries objectives parallel the work of the Sabbath School department:
1. Training and preparation for service.
2. Coordination of service or outreach to the local community.
3. Guidance for the overall outreach of the local congregation.
Here are some suggestions for developing a Sabbath School/Personal Ministries team ministry:
* Have planning sessions together.
* Make Sabbath School classes the application centers for the principles previously mentioned. The classes can provide Bible study, prayer ministry for members, fellowship events outside of class, and community outreach or service projects. The class could even meet periodically during the week as a small group, a prayer meeting for members, or a Bible study outreach to non-members.
* Include a sharing time in the program for class members to talk about their activities and have a prayer session for the church family.
* Develop projects to involve Sabbath School members. Project ideas include providing class members with Discover Bible School enrollment cards for distribution; forming groups each week to visit non-attending and former members; developing a prayer ministry; organizing groups to process Discover Bible School lessons; assisting in community events (hand out free water at running/walking events or at concerts in the park, give free car washes, feed the homeless). What else can you add to this list?
In Acts 4:31, we read, “When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (NKJV).
God is calling church members to prepare people for Jesus’ return. Let Sabbath School and Personal Ministries volunteers join hands and boldly share the story of Jesus as freely and as widely as possible.
1 Ellen G. White, Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 10.
Kurt Johnson, D. Min., serves as Bible School director for the Voice of Prophecy and assistant Sabbath School and Personal Ministries director for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
