LESSON FIVE Seven Special Servants References Monthly Theme :1-7; The Acts of God gives us skills for service. the Apostles, pp. 87-96 The Lesson at a Glance To better meet the needs of the many people who look to the Christian community for support, the believers form ministry teams. One group continues to preach, while a new group orga- Memory Verse nizes the daily distribution of food. Seven wise, Spirit-filled men are “There are different chosen for this new responsibility. God blesses their efforts, and kinds of gifts, but the the number of believers continues to grow. same Spirit. . . . There are different kinds of This is a lesson about service. service, but the same Lord” God gives different gifts to different people. Among the gifts of (1 Corinthians 12:4, 5). the Spirit is the gift of organization. Effective service is well orga- nized. We honor God by dividing the many responsibilities among those who are ready to serve Him.

Teacher Enrichment Objectives “ ‘God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all The children will: churches of the saints.’ 1 Corinthians 14:33. He requires that order Know that the skills and system be observed in the conduct of church affairs today no God gives us can be less than in the days of old. He desires His work to be carried for- organized for better service. ward with thoroughness and exactness so that He may place upon Feel happy that God needs it the seal of His approval. Christian is to be united with Christian, and uses us to serve others. church with church, the human instrumentality cooperating with the Respond by dedicating divine, every agency subordinate to the , and all com- our gifts to serving God. bined in giving to the world the good tidings of the grace of God” (The , p. 96).

Room Decorations See Lesson 1. The Message When we organize our gifts, we serve God better.

50 LESSON FIVE www.gracelink.net/primary SERVICE

Program Overview Lesson Section Minutes Activities Materials Needed Welcome ongoing Greet students at none door; hear pleased/ troubled

______Readiness Options up to 10 A. 20 Questions one or more church officers 1 (, elder, treasurer), screen B. Treasure Hunt things associated with deacon’s duties (offering plate, map, towel, basin, Communion glass) ______Prayer and Praise* up to 10 Fellowship none Any Time Songbook Sing for Joy Mission Children’s Mission Offering box covered with words/pictures of people serving others Prayer picture of church, Post-it notes or adhesive labels ______Bible Lesson up to 20 Experiencing the Story Bible-times costumes 2 Memory Verse none Bible Study ______Applying the up to 15 A. Shadow a Deacon none 3 Lesson B. Church Organization chart of local church organization, chart of world church organization, small cards ______Sharing the up to 15 A. Thank-you Card card stock, pencils/markers, art 4 Lesson supplies B. Appreciation Day chalkboard or whiteboard chalk or marker

*Prayer and Praise me be used at any time during the program. www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON FIVE 51 TEACHING THE LESSON

Welcome Welcome students at the door. Ask how their week has been—what they are pleased/troubled about. Listen to last week’s memory verse and encourage the children to share any experiences from last week’s lesson study. Have them begin the readiness activity of your choice. 1 Readiness Activities Select the activity most appropriate for your situation.

A. 20 Questions You Need: In advance, invite one or more church officers to come to your Sabbath School. • one or more Have each person stand behind a screen. Have the children ask up to 20 questions church officers about that person’s church duties, and guess who the person is and what they do. (deacon, elder, Have the person then tell some more facts about their duties. Repeat with another treasurer, etc.) church officer as time allows. • screen Debriefing Ask: What do you think is most interesting about the service [name] per- forms for our church? Would you like to do this when you are older? Why? What are some of the other positions of service in our church? Why is organiza- tion important in church? (So people can best serve God.) Today’s message is:

WHEN WE ORGANIZE OUR GIFTS, WE SERVE GOD BETTER.

Say that with me.

B. Treasure Hunt You Need: In advance, hide some things to do with a deacon’s duties. For example: offering • several things plate, towel, basin, Communion glass. Say: I have hidden some things that are con- connected with nected to the duties of a deacon. How many can you find? Give the children two or a deacon’s three minutes to hunt. Give them an opportunity to explain why they have chosen the duties (see things they have picked up. They may think of other things. activity) Debriefing Ask: Why is it important to have clearly defined duties in the church? (God is a God of order. When we are organized, we are more effective and can serve God bet- ter. It helps us to do all the things God wants us to do.) Each one has a task to do. All the people aren’t doing the same thing. All that needs to be done is done when the duties are organized. Our message for today says:

WHEN WE ORGANIZE OUR GIFTS, WE SERVE GOD BETTER.

Say that with me.

52 LESSON FIVE www.gracelink.net/primary Prayer and Praise Any Time

Fellowship Report the students’ joys and sorrows (pleased and troubled) as reported to you at the door (as appropriate). Allow time for sharing from last week’s lesson study and review last week’s memory verse. Acknowledge any birthdays, special events, or achievements. Give a special warm greeting to all visitors.

Suggested Songs “Trust in the Lord” (Sing for Joy, no. 111) “Give Me Oil in My Lamp” (Sing for Joy, no. 132) “We Are His Hands” (Sing for Joy, no. 129) “I Will Make You Fishers of Men” (Sing for Joy, no. 135) “This Little Light of Mine” (Sing for Joy, no. 134) “There Were Twelve Disciples” (Sing for Joy, no. 63)

Mission Use a story from Children’s Mission. Emphasize that having an organized church provides a framework in which people may better serve God.

Offering Say: There are different levels of organization in the You Need: church. We have a worldwide network for sending mis- • box covered with sionaries, teachers, doctors, and nurses to teach others. words/pictures of peo- When we give our Sabbath School offerings, we support this ple serving others important network and help others learn about .

Prayer Give each child a Post-it note and suggest that they You Need: write or draw a church office position and place it on • picture of a church the church. Pray specifically for the church and its lead- • Post-it notes or adhesive labels ers as well as other prayer requests.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON FIVE 53 2 they would have no time to preach. And Bible Lesson they needed to concentrate on teaching people about Jesus. Experiencing the Story [All gather around the apostles.] The You Need: 12 apostles gathered all the believers • Bible-times Characters: You need four groups. together and said, “If we took time from costumes Group 1 Greek-speaking teaching the Word of God to serve food, Group 2 Hebrew-speaking Jews we would not be doing what God has Group 3 apostles called us to do. Choose seven men who Group 4 are wise and full of the Holy Spirit, and If your group is small, some children we will ask them to be responsible for may be in more than one group. Deacons caring for these practical matters.” may come from both groups. Everyone thought it was a good idea. [Look around at the group and choose Read or tell the story. seven to be deacons.] The believers chose The young church kept growing. Stephen, Philip, , Nicanor, Every day more people came to learn Timon, , and Nicolaus, all good, more about Jesus. [Mime teaching people.] kind, Spirit-filled men. The apostles were kept busy teaching The apostles were pleased. Now and encouraging the new believers. they could concentrate on serving God [Each child “helps” someone else.] All by teaching others. They held a special kinds of people joined the church. Some service to dedicate these seven men to were rich. Some were poor. Others lost their new duties as deacons. They prayed their jobs, or their families did not want for them and laid their hands on them. anything to do with them when they [All kneel down. “Apostles” put hands on became Christians. All the believers tried “deacons.”] to help one another. The rich sold some Everyone was happy. Once again the of their property and used the money young church was united. The apostles to buy food for those who did not have served God by teaching and spreading any. People were busy with teaching and the . The served by preaching, and did not think much about caring for the practical things that needed other things. to be done in a growing church. God [Greek Jews come to apostles and seem blessed both the apostles and the dea- angry. Point to the other groups.] One cons as they served Him. day the Greek-speaking Jews came to the apostles and started complaining. Debriefing Everyone was shocked and upset. Until What was the apostles’ main duty? then there had been a feeling of unity (to share what they knew about Jesus) among the believers. Who needed help? (Greek-speaking The Greek-speaking Jews said, “The Jewish widows) Greek-speaking widows are not getting Why were Greek-speaking Jews as much food as the widows who speak complaining? (They believed they were Hebrew.” [Apostles shake their heads.] not getting their fair share of the food.) The apostles knew that if they became What was the apostles’ solution? involved in sorting out all the problems, (to appoint deacons to look after practcal

54 LESSON FIVE www.gracelink.net/primary things) Let’s say today’s message Have the children find and read together: aloud Exodus 18:13-26 to answer the fol- lowing questions. Adults assist as needed. WHEN WE ORGANIZE OUR GIFTS, WE SERVE GOD Who was overworked? (Moses) ­BETTER. What was he doing? (hearing and judging everyday problems) Memory Verse Who offered a solution? (Jethro, Repeat the memory verse several Moses’ father-in-law) times until the children know it. Use the What was the solution? (appoint following to teach the verse. judges) What was the result? (Moses was There are Make a fist, then lift relieved of too much work [verse 23]. different fingers one at a time, The people were happy [verse 23]. Moses kinds of gifts, as if counting. appointed judges [verse 25].) What were the qualifications for a but the same Point upward. leader/judge? (They were to be capable Spirit. . . . and trustworthy, to hate dishonesty, and love God.) There are Make a fist, then lift different fingers one at a time, Debriefing kinds of as if counting. Ask: How was the apostles’ situ- service, ation like that of Moses? (There were disputes. The people depended on their but the same Point upward. leader[s] to deal with all their problems.) Lord. What was the solution to Moses’ problem? (Organize others to share the 1 Corin- Palms together, responsibilities.) thians 12:4, 5 then open. God is happy when things are well organized. When we have organiza- Bible Study tion in our church, leaders know just Say: Let’s You Need: what they are to do and can better look in the Old • Bibles concentrate on their duties. Testament at the Let’s say our message together: story of another person who was working too hard WHEN WE ORGANIZE OUR and needed help to organize a group GIFTS, WE SERVE GOD of people. ­BETTER.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON FIVE 55 23 Applying the Lesson of local churches in a state, province, You Need: A. Shadow a Deacon or territory. • chart showing In advance, talk to the head deacon 3. The union the organiza- and arrange for the children to partner conference (or tion of the local with a deacon for the rest of the day. union field/mis- church Explain to the children what they will sion) is made up • chart showing the organiza- do after Sabbath School. Explain the dif- of conferences tion of the ferent duties they may be doing. Be sure or fields within world church a larger territory they understand that they may have to • cards for the take turns, and that it may take a few (often a group- different admin- weeks for everyone to have a chance to ing of states or a istrative levels “work” with a deacon. whole country). 4. The General Debriefing Conference, or Ask: Does everyone understand world headquarters of the church, is what they are going to do? If not, made up of all unions in all parts of explain again. the world. Divisions are sections of Why are these jobs important? the General Conference, with admin- (They make sure things run smoothly; istrative responsibility for particular they free the pastor and other leaders to geographical areas. (Source: Seventh- teach and evangelize.) day Adventist world church Web site: All jobs in the church are impor- www.adventist.org.) tant. No one is better than another. Distribute cards naming the various Let’s say our message together:­ positions and levels of church administra- tion and have the children re-create the WHEN WE ORGANIZE OUR structure. GIFTS, WE SERVE GOD ­BETTER. Debriefing Ask: Why is organization so impor- B. Church Organization tant? (We know what each other is doing. Start with the local church. Explain We do not duplicate efforts. Everyone gets the organization and name the main to use their gifts to serve God.) duties. If you are unsure, ask the pastor Why did God give His people so or another leader to help, or look at the many different gifts? (Because there are SDA Church Manual. Then explain the many different needs.) world church structure: Let’s say our message together: 1. The local church is made up of individual believers. WHEN WE ORGANIZE OUR 2. The local conference (or local GIFTS, WE SERVE GOD field/mission) is made up of a number ­BETTER.

56 LESSON FIVE www.gracelink.net/primary 4 Sharing the Lesson B. Appreciation Day With the children, discuss and decide You Need: A. Thank-you on an event/activity you can organize • chalkboard/ Card You Need: together to say thank you to those who whiteboard • chalk/marker Distribute art • card stock serve in your church. Divide the children supplies and card • pencils/markers into small groups to plan. Make sure that stock. Instruct the • art supplies each group has an adult to help. children to make Allow time to report plans. Determine thank-you cards for how you will proceed, and be sure to the leaders in your work with your pastor or head elder to church. Use the church structure chart do what the children plan. from Applying the Lesson to choose dif- ferent leaders. Have each child make a Debriefing card for a different person. Ask: Why is it important to plan for church events? (So we all know Debriefing what to do. So things will run smoothly. Admire the cards. Say: Every job So nothing is forgotten.) from preaching to cleaning up after When we organize, we follow the potluck lunches is important. When guidelines in the Bible. we use our gifts to help organize Let’s say today’s message together: things in our church, we please God and help others. Let’s say our message WHEN WE ORGANIZE OUR for today: GIFTS, WE SERVE GOD ­BETTER. WHEN WE ORGANIZE OUR GIFTS, WE SERVE GOD Closing ­BETTER. Close with prayer. Mention different gifts or talents the children have that they can use in service to God.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON FIVE 57 STUDENT MATERIAL

the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put Seven Special them in charge of distributing food.” The people looked at each other Servants and agreed. So they chose seven good men. Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, References What would you think if you came Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus became Acts 6:1-7; The Acts home today and there was no food for the first deacons. The apostles prayed of the Apostles, dinner? How would you feel if you saw your and laid their hands on them to set them pp. 87-96 food being given to someone else? This apart for this special service. Then the sometimes happened in the early church. apostles were free to continue the work Some people had no food, while others had God had for them to do. Memory Verse plenty to eat. God has given each one of His chil- “There are different dren a special gift to use in serving Him. kinds of gifts, but The young church kept growing and Some have the gift of teaching God’s the same Spirit. . . . growing. The apostles kept busy! All day, Word. These are the teachers we enjoy There are different every day, they taught the Word of God listening to and learning from. Some have kinds of service, to people who were eager to hear it. But the gift of caring for others. These are the but the same Lord” one day an ugly problem arose. people who are always glad to help out. (1 Corin­­thians The Greek-speaking believ- They wash the dishes after church din- 12:4, 5). ers began to complain. They ners. They help their neighbors thought that the Hebrew- with car problems. They speaking believers were provide food and cloth- The Message not sharing the daily ing to people in need. When we organize food equally. They Another of God’s our gifts, we serve believed the Greek special gifts is the God better. widows were not ability to figure out getting their fair how to do things share. Today we call the best way. Do this problem discrimi- you know anyone nation. Discrimination who has this gift of means that we treat organization? others poorly because Another of God’s they are different from special gifts is the us in some way. They may ability to understand look different, or speak a differ- and help people who are in ent language. They may dress differently, trouble. All of us can show others the or eat different foods. The Greek believers love of Jesus and love them the same felt the Hebrew Jews were discriminating way He does. against them. The apostles kept doing their spe- The apostles knew they could not cial work of teaching God’s Word. And handle every problem in the new church. the young church grew and grew. When And they were wise enough to know believers use their gifts to serve God they shouldn’t even try. So they called today, the church keeps growing! Every the people together to talk about it. believer, including you and me, has a “Look among yourselves for seven men,” special gift and a special work to do for they said. “Choose men who are full of the Lord.

58 LESSON FIVE www.gracelink.net/primary Daily Activities one in your family on the other side. Name Sabbath each person and the gifts you think they have. • If possible, go for a walk with your family. Look Discuss how each can best use their gifts. for evidence that God is a God of order. Talk • Ask God to give you all opportunities to use about what that means. Look at the variety of your gifts today. plants. Think how the same seeds always pro- Wednesday duce the same kind of plants. What other evi- • During worship, read and discuss 1 Corinthians dence of God’s organization can you see? 12:12-30. How does Paul describe the value of • Thank God for being a “God of order.” the different gifts? Sunday • Try to do something for two minutes with • Read and discuss Acts 6:1-7 with your family. one hand behind your back. Now try to move What were the names of the seven deacons? around for two minutes by hopping on one Who are the deacons in your church? foot. Are you using all the ability God gave you? • Cut up small squares of gift paper. Write one What happens in the church if people do not word of your memory verse on each square. use their gifts? Mix up the papers. Then try to organize them • Pray that God will help your family to use their into the right order. Use this to teach the verse gifts in His service. to your family. Thursday • Thank God for the deacons in your church. • Something wonderful happened to one of the Monday deacons. With your family, read about it in Acts • With your family, read and discuss 1 Timothy 8:26-40. Find a way to use your gifts to help 3:8-11. Make a list of the things that Paul says a someone today. deacon should be. • Create a gift box. Wrap a box in gift wrap. Place • Create a logo for the deacons in your church. It a gift voucher inside for some service you can should represent the work they do. do. Give it to someone in your family. • Thank God for the deacons in your church. • Ask God to help your family use their gifts for • Remember to study your memory verse every Him. day. Friday Tuesday • For worship today, read Acts 6:1-7 again. Act • Read and discuss 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 for out the story with the help of your family. worship today. Make a chart to show the • Say your memory verse together. Then ask God different gifts of the Spirit. List the gifts of the to help you use the gifts He gave you. Spirit down one side. Write the names of every- • Help your family get organized for Sabbath.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON FIVE 59