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The Importance of Sabbath School
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A healthy Sabbath School is the sign of a healthy church. When the Sabbath school is thriving, the church will thrive as well. Pioneer leaders such as James White saw the need of a vibrant Sabbath School and they dedicated a great deal of energy to insure that the Sabbath School fulfilled the purpose for which it was established.

James White saw the Sabbath School as the church at study. Paul admonished Timothy to study so that he would not be ashamed as a leader in the church. His diligent study was designed to equip him to effectively share the word of God.

In the same way, James knew that members of the Sabbath School needed to prepare to give an answer for their faith to whoever might ask them what they believed. Consequently, Elder White prepared lessons for Sabbath School members to study.

As he traveled from place to place instructing and encouraging new believers, James carved time out of his busy schedule to prepare lessons that could be printed and used in the Sabbath School program. Often when he stopped for lunch, he'd tie up his horse and sit down beside the dusty trail and, using his stove pipe hat for a desk, he would write out the lessons to be used in the Sabbath School.

Sabbath School quarterlies, which we use today have a tremendous heritage given them by the pioneers of our church. The Sabbath School's a place where searching participants, young and old, can feel comfortable to ask questions and develop friendships that will lead them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. I thank God for the Sabbath School!

P. Stan