Sabbath School Maximiser

Sabbath School Maximiser

Creating Healthy Churches That Reach The Lost

Rob Steed

© 2008 In2action

Creating Healthy Churches That Reach The Lost

Rob Steed

© 2008 In2action

Jesus’ Desire For His ChurchJesus’ Desire For His Church• "My prayer is not for them alone. I

pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17: 20,21

The Great CommissionThe Great Commission

“Therefore go and make believers of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

-Matthew 28:18-20

disciples

Principle For GrowthPrinciple For Growth

“The kingdom of God is like a farmer who casts seed upon the ground; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows - how, he himself does not know. The earth produces crops all by itself; first the blade, then the head and then the mature grain in the head.” Mark 4:26-28

KEY INSIGHT...

Healthy churches grow and reproduce!

A Multiplying ChurchA Multiplying Church

A Reproducible System A Reproducible System Franchising Ministry:• Franchising approach to

ministry, “You reap what you sow”

• “Franchises have figured out, in the details, exactly what it takes to reap their desired results. They sow the required behaviour and expect and get the desired results, every single time.” Josh Hunt

It’s about use of energyIt’s about use of energy• What a franchising approach does is to use

the energy of the team where it matters, in implementation.

• “It is not about a handful of broad principles. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard someone say that all we have to do is understand a handful of broad principles and everything will work out. It is not true. Success is not in understanding a handful of broad principles. It is in the details.” Josh Hunt

Maximiser SystemMaximiser System1. Is about building community.2. Is about focusing on the lost.3. Is a simple change strategy that adds and

modifies to the existing Sabbath School ministry.

4. Each step improves a class-groups holism.5. Multiplying only one class creates a new

leader, a new spiritual family and a new ministry.

6. Is a systematic and intentional method for growing your church.

Session. 1

There Is More To Sabbath School

Session. 1

There Is More To Sabbath School

“The Sabbath School should be one of the greatest instrumentalities, and the most effectual, in bringing souls to Christ.” Ellen White

There Is More To Sabbath SchoolThere Is More To Sabbath School• "Spiritual workers are needed not only to

labor in the pulpit but to do personal work among the people. Too much time is devoted to the churches in preaching. This is not attended with the best results. The work of the Lord's ambassadors is to organize companies of workers to hunt for the souls who need help." Ellen White Manuscript Vol 12 p240

Regain Soul Winning Regain Soul Winning

A number of changes required:1. Life beyond Sabbath Morning.2. Find ways to connect with un-

churched people and former members.

3. Clear soul winning purpose.4. Exercise members gifts.5. Develop more leaders.

2 Key Changes2 Key Changes

1. Increase health of each class.2. Reposition classes as the

foundational organisational unit of the church.

Holistic Class LifeHolistic Class Life

• Members grow in faith.• Dig in the Word for guidance.• Receive encouragement.• Grow real friendships.• Participate in ministry.• Share faith.• Disciple newcomers.• Hold each other accountable.

Facts About Small GroupsFacts About Small Groups• "...most strongly related to (church)

vitality is the involvement of attenders in small groups.” Shaping A Future NCLS

• “If we were to identify any one principle as the most important, then without a doubt it would be the multiplication of small groups.” Christian Schwarz Natural Church Development page 32

Power Of GroupsPower Of Groups

Holistic class-groups bring power to a church.

1. This power comes as members enter

into the presence of God through Christ in group meetings.

2. It comes from the study and application of the Word.

Power Of GroupsPower Of Groups

3. It comes as group members

share their stories and

prayer life with each other. 4. The group releases the power of the

individual as members are

encouraged to develop and

exercise their giftedness within and outside of the group.

Five ComponentsFive Components

1. Class-group Connection2. Equipping3. Accountability4. Leadership5. Evangelism

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions1. Rate out of ten the overall health of your classes.2. Review each class and determine which of the

five components of holistic class need developing.a. Connection to churchb. Equippingc. Accountabilityd. Leadershipe. Evangelism

3. Discuss, "How ready for transition is your church?"