Transcript INTERNATIONAL SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION

The Development and Training of
Adult Sabbath School Teachers
High Impact teaching
for Your 21st Century Sabbath School
High Impact learning
for Your 21st Century Sabbath School
Mission Statement
“The things you have heard me [Paul] say in
the presence of many witnesses entrust to
reliable men [people] who will also be
qualified to teach others. . . . Do your best to
present yourself to God as one approved, a
workman who does not need to be ashamed
and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:2, 15.
Two Parts . . .
1.
2.
The reliability of the teacher, including
theological integrity and a personal
spiritual calling to a teaching ministry
The skill level of the teacher
Vision Statement
“Let the teachers enter, heart and soul, into the
subject matter of the lesson. Let them lay plans
to make a practical application of the lesson,
and awaken an interest in the minds and hearts.
. . . Let the activities of the scholars find scope
in solving the problems of Bible truth. The
teachers may give character to the work, so that
the exercises will not be dry and uninteresting.”
(Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 113,114)
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Dedication
“Let the teachers enter,
heart and soul . . .”
Direction
“into the subject matter
of the lesson”
Planning
“Let them lay plans”
Application
“to make a practical
application of the
lesson”
Learning Activities
“Let the activities of the
scholars find scope in
solving the problems of
Bible truth.”
Interest and Attention
“and awaken an interest
in the minds and hearts.”
Dynamic
“The teachers may give
character to the work, so
that the exercises will not
be dry and uninteresting.”
Overall
Objectives
Doing
Knowing
Being
Knowing
Overall Objectives for the
Teacher
“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
Word of God” Rom. 10:17
“. . . You have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make
you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the
man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2
Tim 3:15-17
Knowing
Overall Objectives for the
Teacher
“The things you have heard me [Paul] say in the
presence of many witnesses . . .”
“A workman . . .who correctly handles the
word of truth.”
Knowing
Overall Objectives for the
Teacher
“Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid
arguments, because you know they produce
quarrels. 2 Tim. 3:23
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old
wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”
1Tim. 4:7
Being
Overall Objectives for the
Teacher
“Entrust to reliable men [people] who will also be
qualified to teach others”
“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so
that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and
doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will
save both yourself and your hearers.”1 Tim. 4: 15, 16.
“Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in
faith and in purity.” 1 Tim. 4:12
Doing
Overall Objectives for the
Teacher
“ These commandments that I give you today are
to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your
children. Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road, when you lie
down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols
on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses
and on your gates.” Deut. 6: 6-9
Goals and Objectives
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Increase the effectiveness of adult Sabbath
School teaching by:
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Finding and recruiting Sabbath School teachers who have
the spiritual gift of teaching.
 Putting in place a continuing education system for Adult
Sabbath School teachers.
 Providing adequate resources for teachers.
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Today’s Situation
We have a problem with
Sabbath School Teaching
Too many Sabbath School Teachers:
• Don’t Study
•Talk too much
•Read from the Quaterly
•Have little o no Discussion
•Are not adequately trained
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Sound Familiar?
“In April I began my search for
qualified and dedicated teachers who
will commit themselves to the new
Sabbath School year we begin on the
first Sabbath of September. By early
July I’m looking for people willing to
teach for at least one three or four
months, and by late August I’m
looking for warm bodies to put into
the classroom.”
How Did We Get Here?
 The current system of choosing Sabbath School
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teachers does not take into account spiritual
gifts.
The current system of choosing Sabbath school
teachers is designed to “fill in the gaps,” rather
than to choose quality teachers.
Not enough time given for class
studyTeachers get discouraged.
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How Did We Get Here?
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Sabbath School has customarily become a minichurch service, so teaching is subconsciously
equated with preaching.
Teacher training tends to be sporadic rather than
consistent.
The teacher’s meeting has disappeared.
The routine nature of Sabbath School leads us to
misguided assumptions about Sabbath School
teaching.
Misguided Assumptions
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Anyone can teach a Sabbath School class.
It is good for a person to teach a class because
it helps them personally.
The teacher must cover all the material in the
Bible Study Guide.
Misguided Assumptions
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Sabbath School teachers should be shifted
around periodically so class members won’t
get bored.
The Sabbath School teacher should also be
the organizer, administrator, and spiritual
leader of the class.
Ellen White recognized that teachers need
to continue their skill training
“The true teacher is not content with dull
thoughts, and indolent mind, or a loose
memory. He constantly seeks higher
attainments and better methods. His life is
one of continual growth.”
Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 103.
Who Should Teach in Sabbath School?
Ellen White
 Educational theory
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What are the basic skills a
Sabbath School teacher
needs?
The Aim of Sabbath School
Teaching is to:
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Facilitate the acquisition of biblical knowledge.
Motivate spiritual growth.
Enable Sabbath School class members to
develop scriptural oriented lifestyles.
Skills Needed
 Skills in using Bible study tools.
 Skills in handling the Bible.
 Skills in using resources.
 Skills in teaching methods.
 Skills in asking questions.
 Skills in using instructional equipment.
 Skills in small group technology.
Building a Training System
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Concept - theoretical base.
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Resources.
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Training system.
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The Theoretical Base
The Holland Model
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Spiritual
Formation
Good Teaching!
Spiritual
Formation
From a Sabbath School
Perspective
Spiritual
Formatio
n
Term
Input
Description
In-service
experience
The basic information the
student learns. Includes
congnitive, affective, and
experiencial.
The application learned through
hands-on experience.
Dynamic
reflection
Why the learning is relevant.
Generates new ideas.
Spiritual
formation
The application of Rom. 8:18,29.
Inclusion of elements that will
lead to "conformity to the
likeness of His Son."
Seven Laws of the Teacher
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Seven laws of the teacher
 The
law of the teacher
 The law of education
 The law of activity
 The law of the communication
 The law of the heart
 The law of the encouragement
 The law of readiness
Seven laws of the learner
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The law of the learner
The law of expectation
The law of application
The law of retention
The law of need
The law of equipping
The law of revival
The Application Base
Non-formal and Informal
Categories
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Training Venues
Formal
Centralized
model
Residence
schools
Non-formal
Informal
Distance
model
Resource
centers
Bible cor.
schools
•Seminar
•Workshops
•Unique
strategies
•Bible
classes
•Adult SS
•Retreats
Entry Level Training - 10 hours
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Teaching from the heart
How to use the Bible in Sabbath School teaching
Teaching people
How to prepare the Sabbath School lesson
The art of asking questions
Instructional equipment
Small group technology
Certification
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Entry level training
Mid-level skills
Advanced skills
Sabbath School Teachers’
Certification Program
What is it?
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The Certification seeks to magnify the
importance of the teaching ministry in
the life of the local church.
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It encourages teachers to regard their
work as a special ministry that
deserves the highest skill development.
Sabbath School Teachers’
Certification Program
Why is it important?
International Sabbath School Teachers’ Association
Becoming a member of the International
Sabbath School Teachers’ Association helps
develop the professionalism to do the job right
and makes a difference in the life of the
church.
Ellen White recognized that teachers need
to continue their skill training
“The true teacher is not content with dull
thoughts, and indolent mind, or a loose
memory. He constantly seeks higher
attainments and better methods. His life is
one of continual growth.”
Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 103.
Sabbath School Teachers’
Certification Program
What are the
benefits?
What are the benefits?
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Sabbath School teachers are better equipped
professionally to carry out their responsibilities.
Sabbath School teachers can better understand
and experience their important roles as leaders,
feeders, protectors, and trainers.
will inspire and strengthen Sabbath School
teachers and help them improve their teaching
ministry.
More leaders may be trained to do God’s work.
International Sabbath School
Teachers’ Association
What do members
study?
Participants will gain an
understanding of the following topics:
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A Philosophy of Sabbath School.
Introduction to the Bible.
How to Interpret the Bible and the Writings of
Ellen White.
Inductive and Relational Study Group Skills.
Lesson Preparation.
Learning Process.
Caring for Class Members.
Requirements for an International Institute of Christian
Ministries’ Certificate in Adult Religious Education
Core Courses (Required)
CR101
CR102
CR103
CR104
Spiritual Gifts: Keys to Ministry.
Principles of Personal Christian Witness.
Principles of Christian Leadership and Church Growth.
How to Teach Basic Adventist Doctrines.
Required Specialization Courses
ARE101
ARE102
ARE103
ARE104
ARE105
ARE106
Adult Sabbath School Teacher.
Inductive & Relational Bible Study & Teaching.
Basic Teaching Skills.
Developing Sabbath School Action Units.
Teaching Techniques of Jesus.
How to Interpret the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.
Logo
World Church
Bible and
Bible Studies
4 Objectives
What is the
function of
Sabbath
School?
Sabbath School Purpose:
Religious Education that builds the faith and
lifestyle from Bible teachings.
Sabbath School Purpose:
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FAITH = To know the Bible and church
doctrines.
PRACTICE = To practice in daily life the
Bible teachings and the church doctrines.
Sabbath School Objectives:
 Study
the Word of God
 Fellowship
 Evangelism
 World Mission
WHY DON’T
PEOPLE COME
TO SABBATH
SCHOOL?
BASIC REASONS FOR LEAVING THE
CHURCH
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Lack of warm fellowship and support by
fellow members.
Church services do not meet their felt
needs in coping with complexities of daily
life.
BASIC DIVINE IMPERATIVES FOR A
FINISHED WORK
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The church must realize its obligation to
carry the gospel of present truth to every
creature (CS 111).
The work will never be finished until the
membership unites in the work (GW 352)
Every church should be a training school for
Christian workers (MH 149).
BASIC DIVINE IMPERATIVES FOR A
FINISHED WORK
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The greatest help that can be given our people is
to teach them to work for God, and to depend on
him, not on ministers (7T 19).
The Sabbath School should be one of the
greatest instrumentalities and the most effectual in
bringing souls to Christ (CSSW 10).
“One who cannot err” has advised the formation
of small groups “as a basis of Christian effort”
(7T 21, 22).