Why do you go?

What is the purpose of the sabbath school?
Do you go so you can be a sprinkler, to others, of the water of the Spirt..or to be a sponge?

Is it a time to feed on the word of God and then spend the rest of the week doing lay activities so spiritual indigestion takes place?

Is it a training ground for Christian soldiers or a 30 minute class for weekend warriors who spend the rest of the week behind enemy lines, flirting with the harlots of Babylon?

I recommend looking in the lesson and finding at least one thing of significance to bring to the class... Be it a spiritual gem or question or an argument with the author of the lesson due to a misunderstanding or possible error/typo.

Does your class teacher/leader even use any of the excellent material in the teacher's quarterly? Do they guide you through any of the material?..doesn't have to be word for word..however there are many principles addressed in the scripture texts...and call me cynical but I would guess that the majority of the sabbath school attenders don't even read the lesson all of the way through.

I remember years ago when the question was asked how many studied the lesson and even before that how many studied every day.
Now the question is hardly posed because it might OFFEND some busy TV watching worldly backsliding SDA-on-the-books churchian.
For heaven's sake, we can't let that happen.
We can't inquire or discipline anyone unless/until the open sin reaches the media.

But I digress slightly..

Are you bummed out on sabbath school Religion..because it is only that?

Does anyone teach about life enriching/covenant relationship spiritual matters anymore.Something that has relevant contemporary application for interpersonal relationships and vertical God-human relationships???

Are you saying this quarter "oh puhleeezzzz, Hebrews again?"
or "The sanctuary, you have to be kidding..I don't care if there are 1 or 2 or 3 compartments."

The hardest sabbath school I attended was at a church where the listener was allowed a 10 second sound bite max and the teacher hogged the rest of the time.

There are some timid sorts that want only a 2nd sermon by a lay person.

Just thought of this too..is your sabbath school a place where you hardly hear the scripture read at all during the class time due to the "I think this or I think that" comments?

Are you in a crowd where NO/ZERO EG White is allowed to be quoted or read..? She is thought of as a hallucinating false cult prophet?


Would you like a spiritual check up to see where you are presently headed?

Read the following and see which one fits.

A -
We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world. Jesus entreats that those for whom He died, may not lose their eternal reward by lavishing their affections on the things of this perishing earth, and so cheat themselves out of unending happiness. An enlightened judgment compels us to acknowledge that heavenly things are superior to the things of earth, and yet the depraved heart of man leads him to give precedence to the things of the world. The opinions of great men, the theories of science, falsely so-called, are blended with the truths of Holy Writ. {FE 182.1}

But the heart that is surrendered to God, loves the truth of God's word; for through the truth the soul is regenerated. The carnal mind finds no pleasure in contemplating the word of God, but he who is renewed in the spirit of his mind, sees new charms in the living oracles; for divine beauty and celestial light seem to shine in every passage. That which was to the carnal mind a desolate wilderness, to the spiritual mind becomes a land of living streams. That which to the unrenewed heart appeared a barren waste, to the converted soul becomes the garden of God, covered with fragrant buds and blooming flowers.

The Bible has been placed in the background, while the sayings of great men, so-called, have been taken in its stead. May the Lord forgive us the slight we have put upon His word. Through inestimable treasures are in the Bible, and it is like a mine full of precious ore, it is not valued, it is not searched, and its riches are not discovered. Mercy and truth and love are valuable beyond our power to calculate; we cannot have too great a supply of these treasures, and it is in the word of God we find out how we may become possessors of these heavenly riches, and yet why is it that the word of God is uninteresting to many professed Christians? Is it because the word of God is not spirit and is not life? Has Jesus put upon us an uninteresting task, when He commands us to "search the Scriptures"? Jesus says, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." But spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and the reason of your lack of interest is that you lack the Spirit of God. When the heart is brought into harmony with the word, a new life will spring up within you, a new light will shine upon every line of the word, and it will become the voice of God to your soul. In this way you will take celestial observations, and know whither you are going, and be able to make the most of your privileges today. {FE 182}

OR

B-
With the word of God in his hands, every human being, wherever his lot in life may be cast, may have such companionship as he shall choose. In its pages he may hold converse with the noblest and best of the human race, and may listen to the voice of the Eternal as He speaks with men. As he studies and meditates upon the themes into which "the angels desire to look" (1 Peter 1:12), he may have their companionship. He may follow the steps of the heavenly Teacher, and listen to His words as when He taught on mountain and plain and sea. He may dwell in this world in the atmosphere of heaven, imparting to earth's sorrowing and tempted ones thoughts of hope and longings for holiness; himself coming closer and still closer into fellowship with the Unseen; like him of old who walked with God, drawing nearer and nearer the threshold of the eternal world, until the portals shall open, and he shall enter there. He will find himself no stranger. The voices that will greet him are the voices of the holy ones, who, unseen, were on earth his companions --voices that here he learned to distinguish and to love. He who through the word of God has lived in fellowship with heaven, will find himself at home in heaven's companionship. {Ed 127.1}

SABBATH SCHOOL IS THE HIGH POINT OF THE WEEK FOR ME.
I LOVE IT BETTER THAN MOST SERMONS.

Quote:

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SABBATH SCHOOL IS THE HIGH POINT OF THE WEEK FOR ME.
I LOVE IT BETTER THAN MOST SERMONS.

---

How does it change what you do with the rest of the week?

/Bevin

bevin,
Thanks for the reply/question.

My participation helps keep my altruistic attitude consistent in my social interaction the next week...and as I reflect on what transpired during the sabbath school, I endeavor to improve on the class by remebering the attenders comments and analyzing so I can minister to the needs. Many times the questions and/or comments are not fully/properly addressed due to time or complexity.
I attend a very vocal and active class.
As I hear issues/principles that are challenging to me as far as application, I meditate on these and commune with the Spirit and he assists with bible texts and relevance so I can minister in a relevant, contemporary and practical way.

Gives a taste of what the life of Christ, prophets and apostles was like. Awesome living!

JimBob7,

You would not find yourself bored in the Sabbath School class that I attend, It is very active and has great participation by everyone in the class. We take the weeks lesson and expand it to include Ellen White and other Adventist authors and some non Adventist authors as well. We also allow the mixture of personal examples of the lesson to be used.

On top of this we have come to the conclusion that 0ne hour on the Sabbath is not enough, so our class has set up a time to meet on Friday Evening to study and bring in the beginning of the Sabbath together. We meet for about 3-3 1/2 hours. this is a large group of about fifty people and growing. A very rich class that studies and interacts very well together, nobody has gone away felling empty or left out. We have several of the Pastors, Elders,and Deacons in our class, you would fit right in to this group.

But then this is just one group in a church of many groups. And in our church you can find those type of classes that are all lecture, and very little interaction from the lay people. And there are those classes were you would have trouble staying interested in. So it does depend on the teacher and how well they prepare, and on their qualification to teach. Some folks are just more skilled than others.

God Bless!

BusyBob

ChildofChrist wrote:

Quote:

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a good teacher will allow others to express opinions but as long as they study, really study and bring out some material other than what is read in the regular adult quarterly. I find myself getting bored with the regurgitated reading. Why bother studying by reading and looking up the texts? Another thing that drives me crazy is going day by day..."and on Sunday's lesson...and on Monday's lesson" etc. I feel like I need not bother if we are going to do it in class...

---

I teach a class that is sort of a combination of both you describe here. Part of the reason it is both types is because I find MOST people in the class haven't opened their quarterly since the previous Sabbath and have not gone through the lessons.

Several of the class members and myself bring in other materials to share based upon the lessons (including Mrs White's writings )but it is hard to bring those itmes into the conversation when more than 1/2 of the class has no clue what the lesson is about. We have free wheeling discussions on the lessons and get sidetracked often into other areas that while may not be directly related to the week's study still need to be explored as well.

Out of necessity (class members who do not open their books during the week) some classes end up becoming a regurgitation of what is in the quarterly (word for word) and having the folks answer the questions right then (because they didn't do them during the week) just so you can get to the outside sources and material you as the teacher and others (who actually did the lessons and enjoy the subject matter) have brought in to share based on the fundimental points brough out by the lesson. If they don't know what the lesson says it is hard for some of them to grasp what is being shared from the outside source. It is frustrating not only for the teacher but for the class members as well.

How do I know these folks haven't opened their quarterly or done looked up the text or answered the questions? It's easy I walk around in my class as I teach and I can see their books. Some are well worn, highlighted, underlined, answers writtne out etc. Others look as new as when they were passed out no writing or underlining, no highlighting, NOTHING in them at all and when you ask a question you can see it clearly on their faces that they haven't looked up the scripture or even pondered the question asked in the quarterly.

Oh yeah and every Sabbath school teacher knows there are those who sometimes should only be allowed 10 seconds to speak. If given longer they try to take over the class to steer it to their own particular personal agenda and not in the direction the rest of the class wants to go.

I agree with JimBob7's observations as well as yours regarding the class and what it should be. Unfortunatley sometimes circumstances don't allow us to have the ideal class.

The class that I teach is a small class -- only five of us, but it is a class that has seen fantastic changes in the individuals. We are all ladies, and I sometimes think of the class as the "walking wounded", as they have all had so many traumatic experiences, or some things in their lives that has nearly lost them to the church.

In our small class, tucked away in a very pleasant room far from the noise of other classes, we can spend time in nurture (and sometimes the wiping of tears), and mostly discussion based on the lesson.

I have found that the best way to lead this class is to have firmly fixed in my mind the three most important points in the lesson. There are the occasional days when someone has faced trauma of some kind, and where the nurture part of our class becomes the main focus, as the hurting person is reassured of God's love for them or the person for whom they want special prayer, and our love. The thoughts are then turned to the lesson -- and it is amazing how the points previously selected so easily fit right in to the situation.

Yes, there is sometimes one or two who have not studied the lesson right through, but I feel that it is of more benefit to make sure they understand the main thoughts of the lesson rather than boring the class with a verse-by-verse study.

Just a thought.

Beryl

Thank you for your post. It is encouraging to see your devotion to truth and the Remnant church. My fiance' likes to say,"If you are bored it is because you are boring." I have read through the other posts and was also encouraged by much of what was said. I must say, however , that a verse by verse study is not at all boring to me.In fact, I wish we spent more time defining our terms as revealed by Scripture rather than society. For me, more Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy and less thought process and bickering would be far more edifying.Thanks agin from the new guy.
P.S.- Are you a writer? It sounds like it.

Interesting questions and answers. It has been 5 1/2 years since I have regularly gone to an adult SS because I've been in Cradle Roll, Kindergarten, and now Primary. Interesting that there are many people who work for a lot of years with the kids and have a hard time transitioning to the adult SS. My mom has recently said No to being an assistant in Kindy, and she's been in the lower division SS classes since I was born, so 34 years. She has a hard time concentrating in the adult classes. I've talked with others who have said the same thing. At first I tried to keep up with the adult lesson, but it is just too hard when I'm never able to discuss it with anyone and I'm busy preparing for the children's divisions anyway.

I really like what Beryl said about her class. That is so important, and it sounds like her class is really filling a need, rather than warming seats!

M

Quote:

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Are you in a crowd where NO/ZERO EG White is allowed to be quoted or read..? She is thought of as a hallucinating false cult prophet?

---

No, it's more along the lines that when someone reads her, all thought processes stop.

I have been to so many classes where the teacher or the lessons are concentrating on the bible, and people are begining to think for themselves and move from a culture position, when some saint will bring up a quote from EGW and then the class becomes silent after that or far less discussion takes place after that. The thinking process has stopped among the class...

Strange how that should happen....

Yeah, I know what you mean.
But when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Some call this the sledgehammer approach.
What I think is a challenge is when someone does that is to tangent off that with a follow up comment...or check to see if the quote is on target. Sometimes it is taken out of context and means the opposite of what the original intent was. Hey the reason I can say that is from my Pharisee days of yesteryear...

I will give you an example of the misapplication of EGW in my next post..have to dig up the quote.

To appreciate my sensitivity to this partial quote, you would have to know my pre SDA background.
I went to a mega church (8,000 members+)that was pastored by one of the best pastor/teachers in America. I don't mean doctrinally as much as his homiletics (art of preaching).
My experience with listening to sermons in general is one of disappointment ever since ..with a few exceptions.

So..when I experience these little sermonettes during communion or when there is a multibaptism.
OR
when the message time is taken up by an all music show
OR
when there is a Pathfinder day
or
Christmas program or
Mothers day handing out of the flowers
or
a testimonial hour
or
GET MY DRIFT??
this is the SDA way of voiding the law through tradition.

Here is the quote....
to support this no sermon mode...

" Our people should not be made to think that they need to listen to a sermon every Sabbath."

This is a snippet from Evangelism p 348

See they say , "even EGW says it is ok to delete the sermon."

Here it is with the the surrounding text....

Evangelism, page 348, paragraph 1
Chapter Title: Clinching the Interest
Often Make Sabbath Meeting a Bible Class.--It has often been presented to me that there should be less sermonizing by ministers acting merely as local pastors of churches, and that greater personal efforts should be put forth. Our people should not be made to think that they need to listen to a sermon every Sabbath. Many who listen frequently to sermons, even though the truth be presented in clear lines, learn but little. Often it would be more profitable if the Sabbath meetings were of the nature of a Bible class study. Bible truth should be presented in such a simple, interesting manner that all can easily understand and grasp the principles of salvation.-- Letter 192, 1906.

Got to be careful out there with those Rom 8:7 churchian
sons of Satan and daughters of the Devil.

Wheweee

Two men looked out
From behind prison bars.
The one saw the mud,
The other the stars.

Life is like that. We can see in everything or anything what we want.

If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.

Meaning, if we feel that the SS lesson is boring, it may be "ME" as much as the teacher. Go to the class and see the stars, bring lemonade, and make a difference. Bring some of your excitement to class and share it. It may be contagious.

A friend had charge of a youth class in church. When the kids did not raise their hands to say that they had studied, he sent them up to their parents. One Mother said, "If my son did not come up to me, it is because he lied". Either that, or they would go outside and goof off.

This upset me so I approached his about it. He was adamant and said "I do not want them there.I told him, if the kids had not studied, they needed him to teach the lesson all the more. When asked if he would do this as a teacher in an adult class, he said "No". Wonder why.

After telling me something that was in error, he called and apologized and said he would not send the kids out anymore.

The moral: even if a person has not studied the lesson, s/he is there so FEED THEM!

There is one fellow who is the most bored and boring person in our church and he falls asleep in our class. I know that he seldom studies. When I taught the lesson, he actually surprised me with some good comments.

I always liked the teachers quarterly. There were thoughts there that were not in the lesson so I added some of that to give the class something that they may not have gotten otherwise.

It is interesting to study things from the past but we have the future of the hereafter to look forward too so better make sure that folks will understand the relevance of the lesson to our days and what is soon to happen.

Mopsie

I am going to share something now that might get your attention.

The SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH is currently studying Jonah for the sabbath school lesson. It consists of just 48 verses that can be read in 6 to 7 minutes out loud. BUT because of the usual TOPICAL approach the tendency is to cover one topic, maybe 2 each week. This week the focus was on judgement. SS lesson leaders, teachers, facilitators will most likely lead discussion involving judgement in general..maybe not even relevant to the book of Jonah...

Now I know in this age of quick sound bites that most in the congregation would greatly suffer trying to concentrate on listening to 6-7 minutes of scripture reading..especially at one time.
However I know that in some sabbath school classes the verses will not even be read over the course of 13 weeks.


It is now supposed to be a no no ,in some areas, to even ask the sabbath school class if they took opportunity to study or even look over the sabbath school lesson...too offensive or embarrassing.
I challenge you..the ones who are faithful attenders of your sabbath school class to see if the book of Jonah is ever read once this quarter in class, out loud, by the teacher or a few people taking turns. I also challenge any teacher out there to ask at the end of the quarter to see if any class members took the time to read the 48 verses of the book of Jonah..or have ever read the whole book of Jonah.

Keep this under wraps and wait til the end.
Write it on a paper and stick it in Lesson #13 of your quarterly..

What makes most people show up late at sabbath school?

Sabbath School is more than just the SS Lesson.
There are other parts to the program as well.

A question that all SS Super's should ask themselves and their staff is "what difference is SS to make in the lives of those that attend".

When I was SS superintendent, I wanted people to leave having

• done something that uplifted their spirits
  
• learnt more about God and the Bible
  
• learnt something that would make their lives better
  
• got involved in something in their church or their community
  

I felt that all but the last was achieved. I never did figure out how to get most people involved in anything.

/Bevin

busybob,
It's been 3 months since the thread started..is your sabbath school still long?

Sylvia,

When I was teaching, I would make the lesson into many, many questions that I would throw out to the class for discussion. I would not preach to them. I made every effort to get all members involved. I had a following of folks who still miss my class. Some would even come from a neighboring church to attend.

I always made a special point to ask how the lesson fit into our lives today and for the future. If we study the past and do not bring it down to our days, what is the purpose of the lesson?

With the thought that one picture is worth a thousand words, I would also bring some 'show and tell' to the class. The adults liked that as much as kids do and it helped the important thoughts to stick with folks better.

Shirley

As I studied I would watch for a keyword or sentence. One time I read about how Jesus is like a magnet to draw all people to Him.

I got a magnet and a bunch of straight pins. I gave it to one of the class members and told him/her to draw the magnet over the pins. Every eye was riveted on the demonstration. Some jumped right onto the magnet and others did not.

The idea being, that while Jesus appeals to all for salvation, some respond and some do not.

Another time I wrapped a package in gold or silver papers and offered it to someone with whom I had explained my plan.

I told the person that it was a gift beyond price, like the hope diamond, and begged them to accept it and they made all kinds of excuses to reject it.

Then we discussed that Jesus offers us salvation and how some resist His pleas and find all types of excuses not to surrender their lives to Him.

My 'show and tell' always led to a discussion of that part of the lesson and we had fun in learning truths that may have seemed boring if we had just read about them.

Jesus used 'show and tell' like a lost coin or a lily and would point out different things in nature as He presented His parables to the folks in His daily commune with them.

Shirley

Quote:

---

Another time I wrapped a package in gold or silver papers and offered it to someone with whom I had explained my plan.

I told the person that it was a gift beyond price, like the hope diamond, and begged them to accept it and they made all kinds of excuses to reject it.

Then we discussed that Jesus offers us salvation and how some resist His pleas and find all types of excuses not to surrender their lives to Him.

---

Clever. Praise God!

Boring - ho hum SS? Is it not due to a boring teacher and a ho hum audience?

Gerry

Any of you know if your pastor takes an interest in the sabbath school? Do they keep in touch with the SS superintendent and offer advice, continuing education, or training for SS techers? (especially if several.. to many find the class boring)
Is there any interest expressed as to why people don't show to SS? I know from my experience that many show up late becuase they find the front end boring...the part til the lesson starts. The churches I have gone to recently only have the lesson study and show Mission Spotlight.

I don't know how all of you approach your sabbath school class...
I think it is really a waste or irrelevant if it is strictly an ancient religious history class.
I know it isn't 100% that but the veteran SDA's know what I am referring to.

I was thinking just this morning...
because in the 4th chapter Jonah says he wants to die 2 times..and given that this time of the year there is supposed to be more suicides than the rest of the year...

I will inject in the class some theme regarding suicide and depression and how the hope of salvation and eternal life... and the value of a single human being ...as we are taught that Jesus would die for just one person on this planet...is the antidote for suicide.

There is actually a day in October that is set aside as National Depression Screening Day

Depression Inventory:
1. Sadness: Have you been feeling sad or down in the dumps?
2. Dicouragement: Does the future look hopeless?
3. Low self-esteem: Do you feelworthless or think of yourself as a failure?
4. Inferiority: Do you feel inadequate or inferior to others?
5. Guilt: Do you get self-critical and blame yourself for everything?
6. Indeciveness: Do you have trouble making up your mind about things?
7. Irritability and frustration: Have you been feeling resentful and angry a good deal of the time?
8. Loss of interest in life: Have you lost interest in your career, your hobbies, your family, or your friends?
9. Loss of motivation: Do you feel overwhelmed and have to push yourself hard to do things?
10. Poor self-image: Do you think you are looking old or unattractive?
11. Appetite changes: Have you lost your appetite? Or do you overeat or binge compulsively?
12. Sleep changes: Do you suffer from insomnia and find it hard to get a good night's sleep?
Are you excessively tired and sleeping too much?
13. Loss of libido: Have you lost your interest in sex?
14. Hypochondriasis: Do you worry a great deal about your health?
15. Suicide impulses: Do you have thoughts that life is not worth living or think that you might be better off dead?

Dr David Burns survey

Tainted here is something that has helped me many a mile. It is probally the last article that Ellen White wrote.
==============
Sanitarium, California, June 14, 1914. Dear Friend: The Lord has given
me a message for you, and not for you only, but also for other faithful
souls who are troubled by doubts and fears regarding their acceptance
by the Lord Jesus Christ. His word to you is, "Fear not: for I have
redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine." You
desire to please the Lord, and you can do this by believing His
promises. He is waiting to take you into a harbor of gracious
experience, and He bids you, "Be still, and know that I am God." You
have had a time of unrest; but Jesus says to you, "Come unto Me, . . .
and I will give you rest." The joy of Christ in the soul is worth
everything. "Then are they glad," because they are privileged to rest
in the arms of everlasting love. p. 1, Para. 1, [VICTLIFE].
Put away your distrust of our heavenly Father. Instead of talking of
your doubts, break away from them in the strength of Jesus, and let
light shine into your soul by letting your voice express confidence and
trust in God. I know that the Lord is very nigh to give you victory,
and I say to you, Be helped, be strengthened, be lifted out of and away
from the dark dungeon of unbelief. Doubts will rush into your mind,
because Satan is trying to hold you in captivity to his cruel power;
but face him in the strength that Jesus is willing to give you, and
conquer the inclination to express unbelief in your Saviour. p. 1,
Para. 2, [VICTLIFE].
Do not talk of your inefficiency and your defects. When despair would
seem to be sweeping over your soul, look to Jesus, saying, He lives to
make intercession for me. Forget the things that are behind, and
believe the promise, "I will come to you," and "abide with you." p. 1,
Para. 3, [VICTLIFE].
God is waiting to bestow the blessing of forgiveness, of pardon for
iniquity, of the gifts of righteousness, upon all who will believe in
His love and accept the salvation He offers. Christ is ready to say to
the repenting sinner, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass
from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." The blood of
Jesus Christ is the eloquent plea that speaks in behalf of sinners.
This blood "cleanseth us from all sin." p. 2, Para. 1, [VICTLIFE].
It is your privilege to trust in the love of Jesus for salvation, in
the fullest, surest, noblest manner; to say, He loves me, He receives
me; I will trust Him, for He gave His life for me. Nothing so dispels
doubt as coming in contact with the character of Christ. He declares,
"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out;" that is, there is
no possibility of My casting him out, for I have pledged My word to
receive him. Take Christ at His word, and let your lips declare that
you have gained the victory. p. 2, Para. 2, [VICTLIFE].
Is Jesus true? Does He mean what He says? Answer decidedly, Yes, every
word. Then if you have settled this, by faith claim every promise that
He has made, and receive the blessing; for this acceptance by faith
gives life to the soul. You may believe that Jesus is true to you, even
though you feel yourself to be the weakest and most unworthy of His
children. And as you believe, all your dark, brooding doubts are thrown
back upon the archdeceiver who originated them. You can be a great
blessing if you will take God at His word. By living faith you are to
trust Him, even though the impulse is strong within you to speak words

Ed

I know you didn't direct that post to me, but I believe the Lord prompted you to put those words up at this particular time. I have been having some serious spiritual problems recently and those words were exactly what I needed to read.

Thank you very much

Graeme

Br. Planey, thanks but I am at the head of the class for needing those words in my own life.
I see from time to time where scoffers of Ellen White suggest that she became senile at the end of her life. Not so, not so! The whole article is on page TM 116

Believe it or not, this list of symptoms actually makes me feel better. I have been having a bit of a rough time lately. I am pregnant and I think that is messing up my emotions. I seem to feel irritable and get angry easy. I have been tired too, but I think that is due to the rest of the things also happening. When you work in retail the holiday season is very stressful, and I've been struggling to finish my schoolwork. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. When I look at this list though, I realize that I do still have hope that things will get better - after the pressure of school is gone for good, and the holiday rush is over. I am still interested in the daily activities of my life and really haven't had to push myself to get up and do things. So, thanks for posting this.

I haven't read this thread for awhile, so went back and re-read all the posts. I'm like Michelle's mom:

Quote:

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My mom has recently said No to being an assistant in Kindy, and she's been in the lower division SS classes since I was born, so 34 years. She has a hard time concentrating in the adult classes. I've talked with others who have said the same thing.

---

I have lead in children's divisions since my children were born, and now my youngest is 25, and I've said "no" for the first time. I am left with the dilemma of what to do on Sabbath mornings. Our small church has two adult Sabbath School classes. One has members in the group who tend to "hold forth" (filibuster), so I don't go to that one. The other one is generally good, but the teacher is rotated from week to week.

The most fulfilling adult SS classes I've attended have been taught by the same good teacher every week. There is continuity and a sense of family that is gained by having one person lead (IMHO), and when you know the focus your teacher tends to take, your study during the week will help you be able to participate in a meaningful way in the discussion that the teacher leads.

If I were an adult SS teacher, I'd want to have my own class and only rarely trade off with someone. I would like to be able to challenge and "pre-load" the class for each following week, then be able to follow up the thought processes I may have started the week before.

I wonder if anyone has ever studied into the pros and cons of SS teacher trading vs. teacher continuity.

LynnDel

I second Brother Planey -- those words were indeed a tremendous blessing. When I read things like this it makes me want to draw closer to the Lord and be true to Him. It also speaks to my heart directly in ways I dare not speak in public.

Thank you ever so much ... more, more, more, please! Reading these words are like water upon parched ground to my spirit, sincerely ...

The last paragraph seems to be cut off though - can you edit it or post the rest?

Tainted, the whole article is found on TM 516 Here is a few more words.
============
Is Jesus true? Does He mean what He says? Answer decidedly, Yes, every
word. Then if you have settled this, by faith claim every promise that
He has made, and receive the blessing; for this acceptance by faith
gives life to the soul. You may believe that Jesus is true to you, even
though you feel yourself to be the weakest and most unworthy of His
children. And as you believe, all your dark, brooding doubts are thrown
back upon the archdeceiver who originated them. You can be a great
blessing if you will take God at His word. By living faith you are to
trust Him, even though the impulse is strong within you to speak words of distrust. p. 2, Para. 3, [VICTLIFE].
Peace comes with dependence on divine power. As fast as the soul
resolves to act in accordance with the light given, the Holy Spirit
gives more light and strength. The grace of the Spirit is supplied to
cooperate with the soul's resolve, but it is not a substitute for the
individual exercise of faith. Success in the Christian life depends
upon the appropriation of the light that God has given. It is not an
abundance of light and evidence that makes the soul free in Christ; it
is the rising of the powers and the will and the energies of the soul
to cry out sincerely, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." p.
3, Para. 1, [VICTLIFE].
I rejoice in the bright prospects of the future, and so may you. Be
cheerful, and praise the Lord for His loving-kindness. That which you
cannot understand, commit to Him. He loves you and pities your every
weakness. He "hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly
places in Christ." It would not satisfy the heart of the Infinite One
to give those who love His Son a lesser blessing than He gives His Son.
p. 3, Para. 2, [VICTLIFE].
Satan seeks to draw our minds away from the mighty Helper, to lead us
to ponder over our degeneration of soul. But though Jesus sees the
guilt of the past, He speaks pardon; and we should not dishonor Him by
doubting His love. The feeling of guiltiness must be laid at the foot
of the cross, or it will poison the springs of life. When Satan thrusts
his threatenings upon you, turn from them, and comfort your soul with
the promises of God. The cloud may be dark in itself, but when filled
with the light of heaven, it turns to the brightness of gold; for the
glory of God rests upon it. p. 3, Para. 3, [VICTLIFE].
God's children are not to be subject to feelings and emotions. When
they fluctuate between hope and fear, the heart of Christ is hurt; for
He has given them unmistakable evidence of His love. He wants them to
be established, strengthened, and settled in the most holy faith. He
wants them to do the work He has given them; then their hearts will
become in His hands as sacred harps, every chord of which will send
forth praise and thanksgiving to the One sent by God to take away the
sins of the world. p. 3, Para. 4, [VICTLIFE].

And I thought that I knew who "Kitty" was. But, the person I thought to be Kitty could NOT be pregnant!

Kitty, you are PREGNANT??? WOW!!! Congratulations!!!!

I am SO excited!!!