31 Oct 2024, 10:11
Building Bridges: Stevenage Sabbath School Introduces ‘Lovesharing’ for Outreach
Sabbath School in Stevenage was a great blessing. The approach taken by our PM Director was informative, insightful, and educational. The focus was more on making the church a pleasant, welcoming, perfumed atmosphere for the community and members. We were asked this key question: Why does the church exist? In our group discussion, we agreed that it was to bring the hope of Christ to others and to spread the gospel. Also, the church is to welcome weary souls, lift each other up, strengthen, encourage, and edify.
What is the purpose of knowing Jesus if we are not sharing? And what stops people from sharing? Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” … they immediately left their nets and followed Him. (Matthew 4:19–20). We develop several barriers to sharing the gospel. At times, we can have natural barriers, some due to personal circumstances, fear, maybe scepticism, and because of cultural settings and possible repercussions. All these must be appreciated, but they do not have to restrict us or become barriers. That is why we have Sabbath School.
A Bible text that reminds us of our responsibilities is, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit…” (John 15:16). I guess we forget that God chose us, and so we must trust Him and bear fruit. To bear fruit, you need to know your faith and defend your faith. The most powerful way to defend is to live and demonstrate your faith, what God has done through and with you. Living your faith empowers you more to share the great news of salvation and draw others closer to God. Sabbath School should be used to equip and arm us to be a witness to the world for Jesus. The Apostle Peter encouraged us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15).
An interesting point raised was about this colour thing. What colour represents the mindset of Stevenage church? As members, we see it as blue, peaceful, warm, and sympathetic. However, there are times when we show our grey side, sad and a bit overcast at times. Finally, others say it's orange, a bit bright and welcoming. Overall, we agree that our image and concept of our church will be passed on to the visitors who enter to worship and experience Christ with us. We were left with the idea that we, as members, set the temperature, and Sabbath School is where it all starts.
We had a spirit-filled Divine Worship experience. This was filled with praise, prayer, and a poignant, powerful word from Pastor Royston Smith. His focus was on Rachel and how it appears that God was mute to her cry for a child. She was seeing the blessings poured out on her fertile, less attractive sister, but she was barren. Pastor Smith reminded us that the family is the bedrock of society and is central to God’s plan for His children. The home should be a place of love, joy, and support. “Since God is the source of all true knowledge, it is, as we have seen, the first object of education to direct our minds to His own revelation of Himself. Adam and Eve received knowledge through direct communion with God; and they learned of Him through His works.” (Education, p. 17)
The sermon recounted that Jacob loved Rachel when he saw her. But be careful to not just look at the outward appearance. Appearance is just skin deep. Take time to know the individual you are interested in. Ask pertinent questions, get family background, relationship status and history, health issues, etc. A text for our reflection was, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it.” (Luke 14:28). Rachel cost Jacob much anxiety and stress. Her desires and requests at times were outside his realm. She made requests of him that only God could fulfil.
Remember to count the cost. Jacob worked seven years thinking he would get Rachel but was deceived and had to work another seven years. Have you ever been stuck? Unable to walk away? In too deep? Emotionally and financially invested. Trusting God when nothing seems to happen is difficult. But it is harder to live with the consequences of taking matters into our own hands. Have the courage and patience to wait for God. God has a time and a season for your life. God remembered Rachel. He opened her womb. God will remember you. Keep praying and pressing, your Josephs and Benjamins will arrive. God will never forget you.
In the afternoon, we were introduced to a concept called ‘Lovesharing’. Lovesharing is all contact with non-Adventists. It’s about forming relationships, being able to converse with and befriend people regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or social status. It is taking the initiative to bring one person closer to Christ.
We were reminded that we are all gifted and that we all have something to share. We can all shed Christ’s marvellous light by showing God’s love. We should examine why people see us as too proud, judgmental, and exclusive. We should not ostracise, ignore, or exclude people just because they may dress, speak, or act differently. Instead, we should foster a sense of belonging, warmth, and a welcoming atmosphere. Groups are healthy in churches. We should form groups, not cliques. Our groups should not be closed; they should be open. People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Be kind, courteous, tender-hearted, and pitiful. For every one conversion, there would be an increase a hundredfold. (Testimonies to the Church, vol. 9, p. 189)
Allow our church to be like a wedding. We may have bad photos but keep the good ones. Christ’s method is the most effective:
Mingled with men as one desiring their good Showed empathy Ministered to their needs Won their confidence Called them to follow Him
We need to move from being church-centred to person-centred. If you want to grow, try to learn about people who are different from you. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly.” (Proverbs 18:24) People believe not what you preach, but what you live. Stevenage is Inspired for Mission. Thanks to SEC Administration and the Personal Ministries Department for this creative and innovative way to motivate us to share the gospel.
Sabbath School in Stevenage was a great blessing. The approach taken by our PM Director was informative, insightful, and educational. The focus was more on making the church a pleasant, welcoming, perfumed atmosphere for the community and members. We were asked this key question: Why does the church exist? In our group discussion, we agreed that it was to bring the hope of Christ to others and to spread the gospel. Also, the church is to welcome weary souls, lift each other up, strengthen, encourage, and edify.
What is the purpose of knowing Jesus if we are not sharing? And what stops people from sharing? Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” … they immediately left their nets and followed Him. (Matthew 4:19–20). We develop several barriers to sharing the gospel. At times, we can have natural barriers, some due to personal circumstances, fear, maybe scepticism, and because of cultural settings and possible repercussions. All these must be appreciated, but they do not have to restrict us or become barriers. That is why we have Sabbath School.
A Bible text that reminds us of our responsibilities is, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit…” (John 15:16). I guess we forget that God chose us, and so we must trust Him and bear fruit. To bear fruit, you need to know your faith and defend your faith. The most powerful way to defend is to live and demonstrate your faith, what God has done through and with you. Living your faith empowers you more to share the great news of salvation and draw others closer to God. Sabbath School should be used to equip and arm us to be a witness to the world for Jesus. The Apostle Peter encouraged us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15).
An interesting point raised was about this colour thing. What colour represents the mindset of Stevenage church? As members, we see it as blue, peaceful, warm, and sympathetic. However, there are times when we show our grey side, sad and a bit overcast at times. Finally, others say it's orange, a bit bright and welcoming. Overall, we agree that our image and concept of our church will be passed on to the visitors who enter to worship and experience Christ with us. We were left with the idea that we, as members, set the temperature, and Sabbath School is where it all starts.
We had a spirit-filled Divine Worship experience. This was filled with praise, prayer, and a poignant, powerful word from Pastor Royston Smith. His focus was on Rachel and how it appears that God was mute to her cry for a child. She was seeing the blessings poured out on her fertile, less attractive sister, but she was barren. Pastor Smith reminded us that the family is the bedrock of society and is central to God’s plan for His children. The home should be a place of love, joy, and support. “Since God is the source of all true knowledge, it is, as we have seen, the first object of education to direct our minds to His own revelation of Himself. Adam and Eve received knowledge through direct communion with God; and they learned of Him through His works.” (Education, p. 17)
The sermon recounted that Jacob loved Rachel when he saw her. But be careful to not just look at the outward appearance. Appearance is just skin deep. Take time to know the individual you are interested in. Ask pertinent questions, get family background, relationship status and history, health issues, etc. A text for our reflection was, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it.” (Luke 14:28). Rachel cost Jacob much anxiety and stress. Her desires and requests at times were outside his realm. She made requests of him that only God could fulfil.
Remember to count the cost. Jacob worked seven years thinking he would get Rachel but was deceived and had to work another seven years. Have you ever been stuck? Unable to walk away? In too deep? Emotionally and financially invested. Trusting God when nothing seems to happen is difficult. But it is harder to live with the consequences of taking matters into our own hands. Have the courage and patience to wait for God. God has a time and a season for your life. God remembered Rachel. He opened her womb. God will remember you. Keep praying and pressing, your Josephs and Benjamins will arrive. God will never forget you.
In the afternoon, we were introduced to a concept called ‘Lovesharing’. Lovesharing is all contact with non-Adventists. It’s about forming relationships, being able to converse with and befriend people regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or social status. It is taking the initiative to bring one person closer to Christ.
We were reminded that we are all gifted and that we all have something to share. We can all shed Christ’s marvellous light by showing God’s love. We should examine why people see us as too proud, judgmental, and exclusive. We should not ostracise, ignore, or exclude people just because they may dress, speak, or act differently. Instead, we should foster a sense of belonging, warmth, and a welcoming atmosphere. Groups are healthy in churches. We should form groups, not cliques. Our groups should not be closed; they should be open. People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Be kind, courteous, tender-hearted, and pitiful. For every one conversion, there would be an increase a hundredfold. (Testimonies to the Church, vol. 9, p. 189)
Allow our church to be like a wedding. We may have bad photos but keep the good ones. Christ’s method is the most effective:
Mingled with men as one desiring their good Showed empathy Ministered to their needs Won their confidence Called them to follow Him
We need to move from being church-centred to person-centred. If you want to grow, try to learn about people who are different from you. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly.” (Proverbs 18:24) People believe not what you preach, but what you live. Stevenage is Inspired for Mission. Thanks to SEC Administration and the Personal Ministries Department for this creative and innovative way to motivate us to share the gospel.
