Time for Heavy Lifting
By Curtis on Jan 22, 2009 in Motivational
As I stood in that massive throng of people I couldn’t help but sense the feeling of hope pervading the atmosphere. People from all walks of life and from all over the world had come to share in this unique experience of being eyewitnesses to the swearing in of our nation’s 44th president.
Displaying confidence and thoughtfulness, our newly elected President stated his case for our country’s future and why change was needed. Tempering optimism with realism we heard that the road ahead would be difficult but doable. Our problems are humongous but fixable. Our status in the world is tarnished but repairable. It’s time for heavy lifting.
This frank assessment of the status of our country was refreshing in its honesty and surely a catalyst to engage bright minds in finding solutions to perplexing issues. There’s a relevant, spiritual lesson in that for us.
To move our church forward and particularly the role and value of Sabbath school we will need to ask the hard questions:
• Is Sabbath school a growing or dying entity in the majority of our churches?
• If Sabbath school is dying, what are the reasons for its demise?
• Is the quality of our teachers indicative of the weight of their responsibilities?
If not, why not?
• Are we giving the needed resources to this department to aid in its success?
If not, why not?
• Is Sabbath school a vital part in the church’s overall evangelistic efforts?
If not, why not?
• Do the leaders of our local churches show their belief in the value of Sabbath school by attending on a regular basis? If not, why not?
Only by asking the hard questions will we be able to address and correct the areas that need correcting. We owe it not only to the nameless men and women who have worked tirelessly in our Sabbath schools over the years, but to those we serve from week to week, to improve where improvement is needed.
“The Lord would have teachers in the Sabbath school work who can give wholehearted service, who will increase their talent by exercise, and make improvement on what has already been attained.” EGW Counsels on Sabath School Work 122
In the spirit of love and humility, let’s all do our part to improve upon the talents lent to us by God. We want to all hear the words Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! Matthew 25:23 NIV
Curtis,
You have asked some tough, challenging, but much-needed questions, especially of those who consider themselves “Church Leaders!” The answers you get should be very interesting!
Rhl
Good questions, the answers have been ask over and over. Commitment,conversion and loud sanctuary classes talking over one another is some of the problem. I also think training classes for teachers are lacking or non-existant. A falling away of reading Gods word are signs of the times.
PS, get out the bed… it’s time for Sabbath School!
Curtis, genius is activated through inquiry and you’ve started by asking some excellent questions! I loved this article and so grateful for those who took the journey to Washington and represented all of those of us who couldn’t. Thank you my friend! Thank you for letting your light shine and for sharing your “AHA’s! with us! Blessings!
look forward to working on the answers
your friend for many years
Poignant questions. The questions are as important as the answers. Thanks for your work in always leading us ….back to Christ.
I have always loved Sabbath school and feel it is where I learn the most. As you state, are the Teachers the righ ones to be teaching? We wear out the competent ones and are afraid to ask the others to step aside. As Dennis stated- too mcuh noise. If we think SS is so important, why not have seperate rooms?
Glad you were able to see our great nations capital.
Jeni
I definitely read every word and before I comment on the subject of matter I would like to tell you that you articulate your words very well and choose them very well. Now “SABBATH SCHOOL” It has definitely went down in moral since I was young, maybe because I grew older and didn’t focuss on what the subject was or maybe it just got “WHACK”… To me after reading that we need sabbath school because I could use some extra studying and hand on hand training when it comes to the Bible… Very good subject and it definitely made me think deeper on that subject. Barack Obama has alot of work to do so at least we can gain wisdom to help him out during the time of these storms.
P.U.$.H
Once again, you have asked some thought-provoking questions. We can always find excuses for something we don’t consider to be a priority. I study everyday, but when Sabbath morning rolls around, that Friday night sleep seems to be the best and it’s hard to get going (no excuse though). My goal, with God’s help, is to make it to Sabbath School more often than in the past. It’s a very important part of our worship and we need to stop always putting the blame on the teachers, or whoever else. Take responsibility for our own “slothfulness”! If we show up that could be the answer to all the questions. Give more respect to God when it comes to our time, than we do to our time of getting up “every” morning and going to work or wherever we go! STOP MAKING EXCUSES BY BLAMING OTHERS AND DO OUR PART TO BUILD UP SABBATH SCHOOL BY BEING THERE!
Thanks Curtis.
Curtis,
I thank you for challenging us to consider our place in God’s Call for service as a part of the Sabbath School. I do not think that we take Sabbath School seriously because most, I think, come to be intertained, stimulated, energized, etc., etc. My prayer and hope is that we who feel called to teach will challenge the student body with the power of God in our presentations and study. That we will do our part to be surrendered and committed to Christ. Thank you for your observation of January 20th. And thank you for the questions you have ask us. Please keep us all in your prayers.
If we, the committed life-time members of Sabbath School, would make ourselves a committee of one and spread the word to our friends. Invite others to come to Sabbath School.Let them know what’s going on in your class. Attendance in Sabbath School should be contagious.
Let it spread all over “your” pew…