Emphasizing Community in Sabbath School

Emphasizing Community in Sabbath School Julie Weslake

Community: We love each other Luke 2:41-50 “After the feast was over, while his parents were returning home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they could not find him they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.” Mishpahah - family

Community: We love each other Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 God intended children to be spiritually nurtured in community. From both the family and the church.

Community We love each other Reaches inwards • COMMUNITY is the church family. We learn to share faith, worship, • fellowship, acceptance, trust, involvement and outreach. • Church members can: • create a community of faith where children’s Christian experience can be fully developed • involve children in religious activities in home and church • encourage children to explore their own faith and to grow spiritually • demonstrate to children how they can support their family and community through prayer and acts of kindness.

Community: We love each other “Participation in a vital faith community is essential to the Christian formation of the young.” Children Matter. Scottie May, Beth Posterski, Catherine Stonehouse and Linda Cannell.

Community: We love each other “If our children are to have faith, we need to make sure that the church becomes a significant community of faith.” John Westerhoff, “Will Our children Have Faith?”

Community: Why? “When children trust and commit to people whom they can see then they can begin to trust and commit to God whom they can’t see.” Liz Perraud, “What Matters Now in Children’s Ministry”

Community: We love each other “Faith is not something that develops in a vacuum.” “These are things that need to be done with people older than us, the same age as us, and younger than us.” Ivy Beckworth. Postmodern Children’s Ministries.

Community: We love each other . “Begin with a faith community which invites children to belong and which demonstrates how Christians behave. In such a community children grow to understand and embrace its beliefs and adopt the Christ-like behaviours they have seen demonstrated.” Lausanne Paper

Community: We love each other Authentic community actively challenges prejudice and division between gender, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and age groups.

Community: We love each other • Connect children to adults who care about them • Connect children to children • Connect children to the people in the wider church community

Community: Connect to adults • Sabbath School needs to provide a community where children feel that they belong. • Quality adult/child relationships formed • Take an interest in their lives • Know their names • Talk to them • Ask them how they are • Listen to their joys and disappointments

Community: Connect to adults • Adults excited to see them as they greet them • Adults who participate with children in activities • Consistent leaders • Leaders who are interested in the total wellbeing of the child • Leaders who follow up with personal phone calls and visitation

Community: Connect to adults • Adults who encourage children’s exploration of their own faith; and provide creative, thought-provoking challenges to spiritual growth • Adults who encourage and empower children to serve and participate

Community: Connect to adults Small groups essential – size of 6 “Through discussion and activities related to the lesson, they reach deeper into the lives of kids in their group both personally and spiritually.” Jan/Feb 2010 Children’s Ministry Magasine, Group. • Freedom to be honest, transparent and authentic with others without fear of being laughed at.

Community: We love each other Room environment • Child-friendly • Welcoming • Child-sized furniture • Toys, colour • Places parents can gather before and after to talk – comfortable seating

Community: Connect kids to kids • Kids need to have friends at Sabbath School • Need to feel accepted by others • If friendships are not formed then they are more likely to drop out • Great if children are forming strong relationships with Kids who have some spiritual journey

Community: Connect kids to kids • New children/visitors need to be introduced to buddies • Children supported and helped to develop friendships • Help kids develop empathy for others and teach children to appreciate others and treat them well

Community: Connect to wider church • Faith formation requires connection with multi-generations • Children see the principles of faith lived out in genuine community • They develop respect for all people • They recognise the gifts of all people • They get a sense of identity • It keeps them in the church

Community: Connect to wider church In many churches “ the young belong only to their peer group, and when they graduate from youth group, they graduate from the church. with their peers they go off . . . Leaving behind the congregation to which they never belonged.” Children need to be “part of the church, not just attached to it through programs.” Children Matter. Scottie May, Beth Posterski, Catherine Stonehouse and Linda Cannell

Community: Connect to wider church Special Milestone Celebrations • Baby dedication • Starting school blessings • Child Commitment Ceremony (Affirmation) • Baptism

Community: Connect to wider church Weekly participation/responsibilities • worship • prayers • finances • ministry • service • outreach

Community: Connect to wider church The wider church is not a community without the presence of children. 2 Chronicles 20:13 “And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives and their children.”

Community: Connect to wider church • Adults grow spiritually when they accept ministry from children • They learn the meaning of true selflessness • It keeps their faith fresh “When our churches segregate children from the rest of the community, we stunt the spiritual formation of the entire community.” Ivy Beckworth – Postmodern Children’s Ministry

Community: Encourage churches to keep the promises from the Ten Promises posters

Community: Partnering With Parents “Nothing a church does will influence children as much as what happens in their homes” Michael Chanley “What Matters Now in Children’s Ministry” We need to ensure we are partnering with parents and building community that includes them.

Community: Partnering With Parents Help them to connect with others. • small groups • social activities • parenting events • worship events • service activities • praying for each other

Community: Partnering With Parents Communicate well • Print – letters, newsletters • Emails, text messages, facebook • Notice boards, websites • Visit

Community: Partnering With Parents Be positive • Every parent needs you as a partner • They love to know that someone is genuinely interested in them.

Community: We love each other • Community means loving one another • I show my love to my family and friends • Community means caring for one another • We treat each other like God treats us • We help each other • We treat each other with love GraceLink Curriculum Beginner/Kindergarten themes

Community: We love each other • Jesus shows us how to love one another • We show love when we work together • We belong to God’s family • We learn about God together • We encourage one another to follow Jesus • We are members of God’s family • We are active in God’s family GraceLink Curriculum Primary themes

Emphasizing Community in Sabbath School