I have had the joy of participating in and directing VBS programs for more than 20 years and have decided that VBS is the perfect way to involve everyone in your local church-especially the youth! It provides such awesome leadership opportunities for them to feel needed and appreciated.
This year we used “Jasper Canyon” from Advent Source. I was looking for a program that would maximize outdoor activities. Beside the opening & closing program and craft time, the children spent all their time outside.
We always begin with an opening ceremony involving pledges to the American flag, the Christian flag, & the Bible followed by prayer & singing. This program featured video segments with a geologist & two young people looking for gems in Jasper Canyon. They did an excellent job tying in their exploration with the daily theme. A daily different Bible story was told & acted out with puppets. Usually I involve the youth acting out the Bible story in costume! They love dressing up & playing their characters.
The opening exercises last about 35 minutes typically. Then we divide up into 3 groups-Kindergarten, Primary & Juniors. They will go through 4 rotations-snacks/play, crafts, Bible/nature & recreation. Each rotation lasts 20-25 minutes including transition time.
At the end everybody comes back together for closing. This year we featured a mission emphasis-ADRA water project. We raised over $200! We sing songs and review the Bible story, memory verse and theme. We’ve also done other types of skits (healthy living, etc.) at this time.
I keep the registration cards to send out personal invitations the next year. They can also be used for follow up to invite the children to other events or programs such as Adventurers & Pathfinders or evangelistic meetings, health expos, etc.
I love having a VBS celebration on Sabbath morning for the church service. Parents are sent messages throughout the week inviting them to the program and we will offer a vegetarian potluck. I also like to recognize each child with a small gift-usually a Bible related book for them to remember VBS. For those who can’t make it to the program, my husband and I make a personal visit to their home.
The young people have an opportunity for continuing and extending their spiritual journey-some for the first time! They look forward to it every year and as they grow they enjoy being involved as leaders and helpers!
It’s so important that our youth feel that they can be of service in our church for the future of our church!
The best interests at an evangelistic meeting are friends and family of the members, those people who are personally invited. So, now is the time to build relationships with people so that when you invite them to the meetings, they will be happy to come. Here’s a (not nearly exhaustive!) list of things you can do now to help your next public evangelistic series be successful:
Do a BibleStudyOffer.com mailing and start studying with one or more of the new interests.
Plan a missing member cookie distribution. Invite church members to bring 2 dozen cookies and make up plates of cookies with a sharing book to deliver a plate to every missing member that still lives in the area. If the whole church participates you can get this done in just one or two days.
Visit your neighbor with home baked goodies or invite them to a neighborhood picnic at your place or a local park to build relationships.
Plan a VBS and visit all the guests’ families. Provide a monthly follow up VBS program to keep in touch and make your evangelistic children’s program a VBS follow up.
Go door to door with a community religious survey to learn the religious climate of your area, offering Bible studies to those who are interested.
Plan one Sabbath a month to invite visitors and church members to your home for Sabbath lunch or vespers. If you work with other church members you could have a plan that each Sabbath people are fellowshipping at homes. There is something special about being in someone’s home that can’t be duplicated at potluck, ooops, I meant fellowship meal. =)
Participate in your local festival, fair or comparable community event. Whenever possible, do so in a way that makes you a part of festivities and not just a booth trying to squeeze in. For example, if your town has a Strawberry Festival maybe you can serve strawberry smoothies or popsicles while passing literature. Those connections made in person with a friendly smile, firm handshake, and personal interest in the person will go a long way to making sure the literature is read or the Bible study is completed.
Plan an evangelistic church social. A picnic, BBQ, scavenger hunt, or anything along those lines will provide an opportunity to invite non-Adventist family and friends. Don’t forget to invite all the interests and “friends” of the church. Church members can use this time to mingle and get to know people. If the time is right, share a testimony or ask, “Have you heard of our Bible School?” If not, don’t worry. A seed has been sown and they are a little more comfortable with “those Adventists”—or even with the possibility of being one someday!
Do a service project like clean up the lawn or painting for a family in need or struggling business. This is a great way to build relationships in your community.
Ask for Bible Studies. This seems simplistic, I know, but sometimes we need to be confronted with the obvious. When you are at the grocery store, dress shop, walking through your neighborhood, talking with family or friends, or anywhere else you interact with people, be intentional. Look for an opening and ask! If they say no, don’t be offended. Statistics show that you will probably ask 1000 people before you get a good study interest. In a very real sense, it’s a numbers game—so ask often and trust that it will eventually pay off!
Bring extra food for fellowship meal and personally invite visitors (or members who don’t stay) to stay for fellowship meal. Let them know that you brought enough food to cover them. Sit with them and take a personal interest in them.
Plan a health outreach. If you don’t already have a supper club or on-going health outreach, that is a great way to build relationships. If you don’t have the manpower to do something monthly (or every other month or even quarterly if that’s all you can do) and choose topics that are of most interest to the public. Consistency is key to building friendships with people so something like this is a great opportunity getting close to people.
Go through your interest list. Browse through your church’s Bible study contacts and guest book, looking at each name and think of what can be done to help them along in their journey to knowing Jesus as their savior. Invite them to a church event, visit them in their home, invite them to your home, etc.
Sponsor a carwash to support the local church school or pathfinder club. Be ready with plenty of snacks, GLOW tracts, and conversation to share while the people are waiting to get their car washed.
Plan a concert, either in your church or at a local outdoor venue. Mingle, talk, visit, have door prizes or whatever you need to be able to get to know the folks attending.
It used to be that people would automatically get to know the people in their towns and neighborhoods. But with the advent of television and particularly social media, people are (ironically enough) a lot less social. Because of this we must be intentional and try harder to meet people for Jesus. This is just a short list of different ways you can get to know people, but you can do whatever works for you. You don’t need try to do all of them, but just pick one or two ideas that you think you can accomplish and do those well the Lord will bless your efforts.
In the last couple of years, we have been living in interesting times and have seen rapid changes within our society. As a result of these evident challenges, I have been approached often by people asking, “Has our church’s evangelistic labor become something of the past?” And I boldly say, “No!” Jesus called every believer to embrace the Great Commission as described in the Gospels and acknowledged that we are not to rely on ourselves, apart from God, to fulfill the task amidst its expected opposition. In that commission, Christ promises to be with us “always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
As His chosen representatives, we have the solemn privilege and responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel to the world. If the church’s mission is understood correctly, the individual contribution of every believer is evident. We are told that, “The church of Christ is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. Its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. And the obligation rests upon all Christians. Everyone, to the extent of his talent and opportunity, is to fulfill the Saviour’s commission. The love of Christ, revealed to us, makes us debtors to all who know Him not. God has given us light, not for ourselves alone, but to shed upon them.” (Steps to Christ, p. 81)
While GROW Michigan is not new for some, its biblical emphasis is significantly essential in these last days. For the GROW “cycle of evangelism” to have greater success in soul-winning, it is vital that every pastor and church member work together on prayerful planning and evaluating all phases of this five-step cycle. The basis of this evangelistic process is taken from Jesus’ teachings within an agricultural context. In the agricultural cycle, the crop cannot harvest itself, nor can a successful harvest be achieved by giving special attention to only one phase of the cycle while ignoring the others.
I recently participated in the winter ministerial meetings held at Camp Au Sable where pastors Mark Howard and Kameron DeVasher were the main presenters. Personally, I’m grateful for the work the Lord has been doing through our conference’s evangelism team. Both presenters shared many practical suggestions based on Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy that assured my heart that indeed there isn’t anything impossible for God! His desire is for all of our churches to thrive as we proclaim Present Truth.
It is my prayer that we keep our gaze squarely on the Master Evangelist! He will teach and empower us to effectively further the Gospel in ways beyond our expectation. But, in order to teach us, we must spend time in prayer and study of His Word. We must remain engaged in local evangelistic efforts and participate in the different training opportunities prepared by our Michigan Conference ministries.
I look forward to seeing how the Lord strengthens our evangelistic efforts in our local district, as my current church district leaders and I draw together a discipleship plan that incorporates each phase of the GROW cycle of evangelism. And I pray the same for you, as you “go forth!” in the Name of Jesus!
Pastor Jorge Diaz III attended the winter ministerial meetings via Zoom and pastors the Benton Harbor Spanish, Eau Claire Spanish, South Haven Seventh-day Adventist Churches.
Our conference ministerial meetings do more than just build camaraderie among pastors, they equip us to work together. This winter’s training session revisited the precious truths of our Adventist message, and reminded us all of the power and relevancy that they still hold. The effectiveness of the Word of God in our churches depends on one thing—actually sharing it with others. The challenge did not fall on deaf ears, as pastors and Bible workers discussed the challenges our church is facing in these unprecedented times.
I sincerely appreciated the practical tips shared by Pastor Mark Howard and Pastor Kameron DeVasher. Too often we can become discouraged that our local churches simply aren’t ready to win souls to Jesus, and we focus on trying to fix these inward problems in our own strength. We were reminded that one of the greatest solutions to our churches’ issues is focusing on seeking and saving the lost. When our churches are united in winning souls for Jesus, many of the problems we thought we had, solve themselves, as we spend our time and resources wisely. The cycle of evangelism still works, if we work it, and the tools that are given through the GROW Michigan initiative will prove valuable to any church that implements them.
Pastor Garhett Morgan attended the winter ministerial meetings in person and pastors the Big Rapids, Reed City and Bristol Seventh-day Adventist Churches.
Giving Bible studies is a simple, heaven-born method of spreading the three angels’ messages and leading souls to Christ—so why are many people reluctant to engage in this important ministry? One of the most common responses to this question has been expressed in the words, “Giving Bible studies just isn’t my gift.” Some people are shy, or lack formal education, or don’t feel equipped to answer many questions about the Bible—but do these traits necessarily preclude them from giving Bible studies?
The Bible does teach that the church is one body consisting of many different members, and that the Spirit distributes gifts “to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11). There are also differences in background, education, personality, and temperament that influence the way we witness to others. Yet with all our differences, we have this in common—we are all called to bear witness to the truth! Witnessing is not in any of the biblical lists of spiritual gifts (see Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:11), because it’s the job of everydisciple of Christ. Ellen White writes, “The dissemination of the truth of God is not confined to a few ordained ministers. The truth is to be scattered by all who claim to be disciples of Christ” (Christian Service, p. 68).
At its core, witnessing is simply sharing what we have “seen and heard” (see Acts 4:20; 22:15; 1 John 1:3). Though we have not physically seen or heard Jesus teaching in the streets of Jerusalem, we have seen and heard Him by faith—in the pages of God’s Word! We don’t have to be eloquent, outgoing, or brilliant to share our love for Jesus and Bible truth with others. We’re not called to share what we don’t know, but what we do know. We don’t need to be able to answer every question, explain every nuance, or have every supporting text memorized. Still, we are Christians for a reason. Something about what we saw and heard from the Bible persuaded us to become Seventh-day Adventists. Giving Bible studies is simply bearing witness to those things. On the other hand, when Christians do not share the truth that they have “seen and heard” in the Bible, their faith in God experiences a steady decline:
“Unbelief, like the pall of death, is surrounding our churches, because they do not exercise the talents God has given them, by imparting the light to those who know not the precious truth. The Lord calls for the pardoned souls, those who rejoice in the light, to make known the truth to others” (Christian Service, p. 37).
“Satan is now seeking to hold God’s people in a state of inactivity, to keep them from acting their part in spreading the truth, that they may at last be weighed in the balance and found wanting” (Christian Service, p. 37).
Sharing our faith is not only for the benefit of those outside the church—it has a direct bearing on our spiritual preparation. That’s why the devil wants us to buy into the notion that sharing the truth is not our gift. He’s not only trying to prevent others from finding eternity, but he wants to prevent church members from being ready, too!
Ellen White gives the key to ongoing Christian growth when she writes, “Let ministers teach church members that in order to grow in spirituality, they must carry the burden that the Lord has laid upon them, – the burden of leading souls into the truth” (Christian Service, p. 69). In order to grow, we must not only scatter or spread the truth, but we are also admonished to lead souls into the truth. While we can and should scatter the truth through media or literature distribution, leading someone into the truth requires coming close and investing ongoing personal effort. The consistent contact this requires is wonderfully accomplished by giving weekly Bible studies—and by bearing witness to what you have “seen and heard.”
If you’re looking for a way to grow in spirituality and witness more effectively, why not start this New Year with a commitment to not merely share the truth with others, but to lead someone into the truth through personal Bible study as the Lord gives you opportunity?
Many community members would be willing to attend Sabbath School if they were not made to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. Community-friendly Sabbath Schools should be conducted in such a manner as to draw, not repel, honest seekers for truth. There are a number of things the Sabbath School can do to become guest friendly.
Hospitality
People who simply drop in, attend with a friend, or return to Sabbath School after a long absence, usually don’t want to be ignored, but neither do they want to be smothered with attention or singled out.
Guests should be greeted with a friendly smile and perhaps a question like, “Are you familiar with our program and/or facility?” This is not too invasive yet may help to set the guest at ease. A pre-arranged hospitality host could be introduced to the guest. This member may engage in light conversation by introducing themselves and telling a bit about their family, work, how long they have lived in the city, and so forth.
The hospitality host may then answer questions and show guests to appropriate rooms for children’s classes and give the locations of restrooms. They may invite the guest to their own adult Sabbath School class if appropriate. The host should select a class that is community friendly. The host family may sit near guests during church, accompany them to fellowship meal, and/or invite them to their home for Sabbath dinner.
Community-friendly Class
The best seating arrangement for a community- friendly class is most often a circle. The class facilitator should be present early so guests are not left sitting alone, waiting for class to begin. Guests feel most comfortable in a class that is warm, friendly and social, yet not invasive or coercive.
Simple introductions around the circle may be followed by an ice-breaker question that is easy for all to answer and allows members to become more at ease. For example, the facilitator might ask members to share a bit about their first memories of school. When asking class members to read, share, pray, or answer questions around the circle, the facilitator should make it easy for guests either to participate or to remain silent. A simple statement like, “If anyone does not feel comfortable participating, that is perfectly fine. Just look to your right. We will understand and continue around the circle.”
It may be even better not to go around the circle. For example, praying spontaneously in sentences allows all who wish to pray to participate and others to pray silently.
Classes that are friendly to guests must be aware that visitors may have very little knowledge of where to find Scripture texts or Bible stories in general. It would be well to have extra Bible study guides and Bibles on hand to offer to them.
Denominational jargon such as “the truth”, “the Spirit of Prophecy”, “Ellen White”, “the conference”, “the ABC” will seem like a foreign language to guests. Unless they have a background in Bible knowledge and experience, they will most often understand only the language of news media, television, the working world, or the street.
Concepts like justification, sanctification, new birth, atonement, sanctuary, and many others must be explained with words that are meaningful to them.
Many seekers for truth would consider themselves spiritual people. They will most likely have been exposed to a great variety of spiritual teaching. Facilitators should seek to bridge the gap between cultural religion and the concepts of Scripture. There are ethics common to most spiritual faiths and philosophies. Some of these would be: (1) benevolence to all; (2) universal value of people; (3) love, kindness, understanding, sympathy; (4) humanitarian causes (5) acceptance of all
regardless of race, color or attire. Modern society is influenced not so
much by scriptural content as by people who manifest a dynamic experience of peace, love, joy, longsuffering, goodness meekness, temperance, faith. Visitors will generally not be opposed to scriptural content if it is a means to helping them manifest this kind of life. For this reason the class discussion should focus on a life-related study of Scripture.
The class facilitator should avoid putting people on the spot by asking them by name to respond. Guests may be frightened off by this, even if the facilitator
knows he or she will not offend a regular member in so doing. Facilitators should not come across as harsh authoritarians or religious bigots. They should not compromise truth, but should teach with kindness, sympathy, understanding and benevolence.
It would be well to have a ground rule for discussion and to state it often as new guests arrive. One example would be for the facilitator to say: “We like to have open discussion and want everyone to feel free to participate. We welcome honest questions, no matter how simple you feel they might be. We simply ask that we allow the Bible to provide the final answers.” If a guest might express an opinion that is contrary to sound doctrine, the facilitator may call attention to a qualifying text and while contemplating the text together, may give a testimony of their understanding without argument or debate. The facilitator should help regular members to refrain from argument, debate, or insensitive comments that might offend visitors.
Drawing Interested Guests
Research reveals that people who do not attend church often would be interested in programs that might help with improved people relationships, better family life, addiction recovery, or life management skills. It would be well for the Sabbath School council to consider conducting outreach programs, classes, or branch Sabbath Schools that would focus on these or other topics of interest to the community.
Some have advertised and conducted a “Saturday Morning Bible Prophecy Class” open to the community with positive results.
Summary
Sabbath Schools that manifest a community friendly presence will show an understanding and sensitivity to what is important to guests. Leaders, as well as regular members, will be sensitive to the mindset of people; to what attracts and what repels. They will strive to use a common language and be ready to apply the Bible to daily living.
The original article and other great resources can be found on the General Conference website by clicking here. https://www.sabbathschoolpersonalministries.org/page-59
