Contents Preface ................................................................................................................................. 1 The Mission of the Sabbath School ....................................................................................... 2 Objectives of the Sabbath School ......................................................................................... 2 History of the Sabbath School ............................................................................................... 3 Sabbath School Publications ................................................................................................. 4 Sabbath School Offerings ..................................................................................................... 5 Highlights of Sabbath School History ..................................................................................... 6 Worldwide Sabbath School Policies ...................................................................................... 8 The Sabbath School/Personal Ministries Department ............................................................. 8 Sabbath School Departments in Divisions, Unions, and Conference/missions ....................................................................................... 9 Sabbath School Curriculum Materials .................................................................................... 9 How the World Sabbath School Curriculum Functions ........................................................... 9 Sabbath School Offerings and Mission Promotion ............................................................... 11 Sabbath School Officers ..................................................................................................... 12 The Sabbath School Council ............................................................................................... 12 Sabbath School Teachers .................................................................................................... 12 How Sabbath School Offerings Are Used ........................................................................... 13 Inspired Thoughts on Sabbath School ................................................................................. 14 Organizing the Sabbath School in the Local Church ............................................................. 15 Sabbath School Membership .............................................................................................. 15 Selection of Sabbath School Personnel ................................................................................ 15 Election by the Church ........................................................................................................ 15 Appointment by the Church Board ...................................................................................... 16 Appointment by the Sabbath School Council ....................................................................... 16 Selection of Teachers .......................................................................................................... 16 Sabbath School Council ...................................................................................................... 16 Sabbath School Records .................................................................................................... 17 Divisions and Classes .......................................................................................................... 19 Sabbath School Divisions .................................................................................................... 19 Children’s Divisions ............................................................................................................ 20 Junior and Teen Divisions .................................................................................................... 20 Youth and Young Adult Divisions ......................................................................................... 20 Adult Division ..................................................................................................................... 21 Responsiblity for Planning Teachers’ Meeting ...................................................................... 22 Planning Forms ................................................................................................................... 22 Planning Sheet for a Quarter.................................................................................................24 Responsibilities of Sabbath School Personnel ...................................................................... 25 General Superintendent ....................................................................................................... 25 Developing Leadership.........................................................................................................26 Chairing the Sabbath School Council....................................................................................26 Building a Soul-Winning Sabbath School...............................................................................26 Recruiting Volunteers............................................................................................................27 Assistant Superintendents .............................................................................................. ......27 i Assistant Superintendent for Evangelism................................................................................27 Assistant Superintendent for Membership.............................................................................28 Assistant Superintendent for World Mission..........................................................................28 Why Do Missing Members Miss?.........................................................................................28 Conflict .............................................................................................................................. 28 Unmet Expectations ............................................................................................................ 28 Lack of Affinity ................................................................................................................... 28 Inability to Relate ................................................................................................................ 28 Ideas For Reintegrating Nonattending Members .................................................................. 29 Tips on Visiting Missing Members ....................................................................................... 29 Assistant Superintendent for Hospitality.................................................................................31 Ideas About How to Present and Report on the World Mission of the Church....................................................................................... 32 Ideas for Educating the Church About Missions ................................................................... 33 Ways to Get Involved in Missions ....................................................................................... 33 Ideas for Mission Offering Promotion .................................................................................. 34 Mission Involvement ........................................................................................................... 34 Special Events .................................................................................................................... 35 Resource Materials ............................................................................................................. 35 Sabbath School Secretary ................................................................................................... 36 Keeping Records and Statistics.............................................................................................36 The Adult and Young Adult Divisions .................................................................................. 39 The Youth Division .............................................................................................................. 43 Characteristics of Youth ...................................................................................................... 45 The Children’s Divisions ...................................................................................................... 49 The Junior/Teen Division ..................................................................................................... 49 Characteristics of Junior Children ........................................................................................ 53 Characteristics of Teens ...................................................................................................... 56 The Primary Division ........................................................................................................... 59 Characteristics of Primary Children ..................................................................................... 62 The Kindergarten Division ................................................................................................... 65 Characteristics of Kindergarten Children ............................................................................. 68 The Beginner/Cradle Roll Divsion ........................................................................................ 71 How soon should a child be taught about God? ..................................................................