Sabbath: Every Member Ministry
Read for This Week’s Study:
Eph. 4:12, 2 Cor. 5:15–20, John 4:35–41, 1 Thess. 1:5–8, Acts 14:27.
Memory Text:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV).
Key Thought:
Too often evangelism and witnessing are seen as the pastor’s job alone; this attitude is wrong.
According to Peter, God’s people are chosen, called to be a “royal priesthood.” Because the priests were given a ministry, it follows that if we are called to the “priesthood,” then we have a ministry, as well. We must understand, however, that we are not called merely in order to perform a ministry. First and foremost God is calling us into a relationship with Himself, and it is out of that relationship that we are compelled to share with others the great things that God has done, and is doing, for us. This is at the heart and soul of personal witness.
Each of us, therefore, has a personal ministry to perform, and it involves proclaiming the praises of Him who has called us “out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
This week we will explore the concept of “every member ministry” and see how each individual experience contributes to the church’s corporate ministry. The point being that each of us has a role to play in the work of outreach and evangelism.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 14.
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God had a reason for all people, we all had a right to preach.
God, when He converted us, gave each of us talents and gifts that we are to use for His Name's Honor and Glory. We have a ministry that is for that purpose. If we are unsure what that area is we must ask God to reveal it to us. He will, in some remarkable way. You will be astonished and delighted. Try it.
Some of our churches have ceased to be a training ground for evangelist because of some leaders who take the work of God as something for personal elevation. One wonders a good sabbath school teacher takes the class for the whole year but surprisingly, in that same class not even one teacher or leader is produced. Wasted time and resources. Whether one is a teacher or a leader in whatever area you have been called to labor, let us work with the objective to equip others spiritualy, helping them to discover their full potential in God's service, than making ourselves indispensible. We can only as leaders and teachers do this when we fully understand the statement " the harvest is plentiful and labourers are few"
Douglad, while I agree with you in principle, I don't know that I agree with the timeline presented. 🙂
A year might seem like a long time, but it depends on what the spiritual state of the members was before this teacher arrived. Maybe a great Sabbath School teacher doesn't automatically create other great SS teachers, but helps to foster a different spiritual path that is relevant to where God wants that person to minister.
It should be noted that Jesus was with His disciples for over 3 years, and even just before His death, they were not looking too good from a leadership perspective. He taught them how to be connected to God, and once they took that step in earnest, THEN we got to see their leadership potential.
Let's all learn that God works through us. One important condition as we witness, we must abide in Jesus Christ in order to shade away self.
We are co-workers with God first and foremost; once we believe He is able and believe without Him we can do nothing then increase will be added.
The task of proclaiming the good news is not by several people, it's everyone task. We are called by God according to our talent that He has given.
Let's us serve the Lord of what we have and who we are:
God Bless us ALL!