"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people," Matthew 4:23.
In the above Scripture, Matthew summarizes the daily activities of our Savior – teaching the people how to live according to the will of God, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
What is the Sabbath School?
The Sabbath School is where we teach the Word of God and preach the gospel of the kingdom.
Above all, the Sabbath School is a school that takes place every Sabbath in every church around the world. We have leaders, teachers, students, and the lessons to be studied.
The Sabbath School is a great blessing to our people. If studied every day, according to our recommendation, it is a source of rich spiritual nourishment. Every member of the family receives spiritual food through their Sabbath Bible Lesson. It is a time for communion with God and the family.
When we go to church on Sabbath, we meet with other church members and learn from each other. The deeper we study, the more blessing we receive.
Sabbath School teachers should study deeper than their students, because they need to feed the flock under their care. The Sabbath School teacher is a shepherd of the little flock.
Sabbath School Branches
Besides members, we have also visitors present that need to be nourished as well. In this case, the Sabbath School is a powerful tool for evangelism.
One of the most effective ways to expand the church is to open Sabbath School branches. Every church member could offer weekly classes in the houses of their friends and neighbors. They could meet on Sabbath afternoon, or Sunday at any convenient time, or even during one day of the week. These branches can eventually be transformed in a small congregation that meets every week. Two or three people are more than enough to start a branch. In some places, our brethren call these branches "small groups".
A Foundation for the Children
Special attention should be given to the children. They are the most receptive persons to receive God's word through the Sabbath School lessons appropriate to their ages. Young people shouldn't be neglected.
When James White, during a stop during a trip, started to prepare Sabbath Bible lessons, he did so with children in mind. It was only later that the brethren began to prepare lessons for adults. But White's priority was the children.
Untapped Potential
Our Sabbath School has great potential that needs to be utilized. It can equip our members to better study the Bible and to evangelize friends and neighbors.
Our teachers should take advantage of this excellent tool to teach the children, youth, and adults the plan of salvation and to reveal Christ by words and actions.
It takes time and money to prepare and send our Sabbath Bible lessons to different parts of the world, and this material should be used to the full purpose for which they were prepared.
"Our Sabbath schools are nothing less than Bible societies, and in the sacred work of teaching the truths of God's word, they can accomplish far more than they have hitherto accomplished. The Sabbath school, when rightly managed, possesses marvelous power, and is adapted to doing a great work, but it is not now [Written in 1889] what it may and should be. The influence growing out of Sabbath school work should improve and enlarge the church; but in no case should it ever be allowed to divert from the interests of the church. There is a most precious missionary field in the Sabbath school, and if there are now omens of good, they are only indications and beginnings of what may be done." Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, 29.
May the Lord bless our teachers, students, visitors, and members of the church to take advantage of this divine plan to take people to Christ, our Savior and Lord!
Cordially, in Jesus Christ,
Davi Paes Silva