The Im****tance and Purpose of Sabbath School Work
An Im****tant Work
The Sabbath school work is im****tant, and all who are interested in
the
truth should endeavor to make it prosperous.--TSS 109. {CSW 9.1}
A Marvelous Power for Good
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.--TSS 29.
10
{CSW 9.2}
God's Instrumentalities
I feel a deep interest in our Sabbath schools throughout the land,
because I believe them to be instrumentalities of God for the education of
our youth in the truths of the Bible. Constant efforts should be made by
both parents and teachers to interest the youth in matters of eternal
im****tance. The Sabbath school is a missionary field, and very much more
of
a missionary spirit should be manifested in this im****tant work than has
been manifested in the past.--TSS 35. {CSW 10.1}
Most Effectual Soul-winning Agency
The Sabbath school should be one of the greatest instrumentalities,
and
the most effectual, in bringing souls to Christ.--TSS 20. {CSW 10.2}
An Influence Beyond Estimate
Very much can be done for the education and moral and religious
training of our youth by well-organized, properly conducted Sabbath
schools.
Time and attention should be given to this branch of the work; for its
im****tance in its influence upon our youth cannot be estimated.--TSS 14,
15.
{CSW 10.3}
A Converting Power
The Sabbath school is an im****tant branch of the missionary work, not
only because it gives to young and old a knowledge of God's word, but
because it awakens in them a love for its sacred truths, and a
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desire to study them for themselves; above all, it teaches them to
regulate
their lives by its holy teachings.--TSS 109, 110. {CSW 10.4}
A Strength to the Church
There is a broad field in Sabbath school work, that needs to be
diligently cultivated, and that is to inspire our youth to give themselves
wholly to the Lord, to be used by Him in His cause. There should be
zealous,
faithful workers in our Sabbath schools, who will watch and discern upon
whom the Spirit of God is moving, and cooperate with the angels of God in
winning souls for Christ. There are sacred responsibilities entrusted to
Sabbath school workers, and the Sabbath school should be the place where,
through a living connection with God, men and women, youth and children,
may
be so fitted up that they shall be a strength and blessing to the church.
They should help the church upward and onward, as far as it lies in their
ability, going from strength to greater strength.--TSS 92. {CSW 11.1}
A Broad, Im****tant Field
Superintendents and the workers in our Sabbath schools have a very
im****tant, broad field to cultivate. They need to be baptized with the
Holy
Spirit of God, that their minds may be impressed to use the very best
methods, and follow the best plans to make their work wholly successful.
The
Lord will work with their efforts; for the youth are the purchase
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of the blood of the only-begotten Son of God. The Lord loved these youth,
and gave Jesus to die, that "whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life." {CSW 11.2}
There is a great work of education to be carried on. The teachers
should often pray for and with the children and youth, that they may
"behold
the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." They should
teach
the youth their accountability to God, and help them to understand what
Jesus expects of them. Exert every influence you can possibly command to
interest them in the Scriptures. Labor for their souls, that they
themselves
shall become zealous workers, using their talents to impart to others that
which has been imparted to them.--TSS 83. {CSW 12.1}
Worthy of Long Service
The Sabbath school should be a place where the jewels of truth are
searched for and rescued from their environment of error, and placed in
their true setting in the framework of the gospel. Precious gems of truth,
long lost sight of, are now to be restored to the children of God. The
themes of justification by faith, the righteousness of Christ, should be
presented in our schools, that the youth and children may understand these
im****tant subjects, and teachers and scholars may know the way of
salvation.
Sacred and eternal principles connected with the plan of salvation have
long
been lost from sight, but they must be restored to their proper place in
the
plan
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of salvation, and made to appear in their heavenly light, and penetrate
the
moral darkness in which the world is enshrouded. {CSW 12.2}
Let the youth take heed to the words of the wise man, "Trust in the
Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Let
them walk softly, prayerfully, and carefully before the Lord, in continual
dependence upon Him, and at the same time exerting all their powers,
improving all their op****tunities, trusting to what the Lord can do with
their consecrated abilities. Let them inquire at every step, "Is this the
way of the Lord?" Humility is a characteristic of those who have true
wisdom, and no matter what may be their attainments, they will not be
self-confident and boastful. {CSW 13.1}
The Lord calls for young men and women to gird themselves for
lifelong,
earnest labor in the Sabbath school work. Spasmodic efforts will not avail
to accomplish much good, or to make you successful laborers in the work of
God. By patient continuance in well-doing, you are to become laborers
together with God. You are to reckon yourselves the servants of God by the
day. Be diligent in your work for one day, and see that you make no
crooked
paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the path of rectitude
by
your misdoings.--TSS 52, 53. {CSW 13.2}
An Abundant Reward
No one can labor in the Sabbath school or in the temperance work
without reaping a bountiful harvest,
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not only in the end of the world, but in the present life. In the very
effort to enlighten and bless others, his own views will become clearer
and
broader. The more we endeavor to explain the truth to others, with a love
for souls, the plainer will it become to ourselves. It ever opens with new
beauty and force to the understanding of the expounder,-- TSS 108. {CSW
13.3}
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