A strategy for discipling Sabbath School small group leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ngoma, Rwanda

Abstract

Problem This dissertation analyzes the impact of the Sabbath School small groups in discipleship. The experience and the observation disclosed that the Sabbath School small groups are not discipling the members of Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church as it is expected. Purpose This project's goal is to create a training curriculum for Sabbath School small group leaders, put it into practice, and then assess it to see how well it promotes discipleship. Discipling the leaders of the Sabbath School small groups is the proper way to disciple the participants. The similar approach was utilized by God in the Bible; before beginning any significant action for His people, He first trained the leaders. Moses' pre-mission preparation is a classic illustration of how to prepare. Therefore, it's crucial to disciple the Sabbath School small group leaders using the Bible approach before releasing them. Method The researcher used a qualitative approach to train the small group leaders in the Ngoma Seventh-Day Adventist congregation. The researcher created a program to train the Sabbath School small group leaders after analyzing the findings from focus group data and team observations. The Sabbath School small groups become an effective hub for discipleship when their leaders are discipled. The program began on April 22, 2022, in the Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church, and it ended there on September 30, 2022. In order to disciple the Sabbath School small group leaders, a number of thorough training programs were implemented. Result The pre and post-focus groups' data examination outcomes were used to measure the program. The pre-program disclosed that the members of Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church believe that the poor quality of discipleship in the Sabbath School small groups is mainly the result of undisciplined Sabbath school small group leaders. The post-program discussion examination of data revealed that discipling the leaders of the small groups brought a positive change in discipleship and leadership in Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church. Conclusion In conclusion, the program has addressed difficulties with poor participation, discipleship, and leadership in the Sabbath School small group activities at the Ngoma Seventh-day Adventist Church. According to the program review, untrained small group leaders are to blame for the members' lack of discipleship and bad leadership. Success in leadership development is essential for success in discipleship. Recommendations More discoveries are needed. The project focused more on the adult and young adult Sabbath School small group leaders. But the children in the Sabbath School were not the focus. The research is needed to know what is going on in the children's Sabbath School and their challenges and find out how to minister to them effectively through the Sabbath School. To disciple small group leaders is recommended to the churches that want to develop the Sabbath School small groups in discipleship. The success of Sabbath School small groups depends on the success of the church in discipling the leaders of the Sabbath School small groups. Furthermore, the researcher suggests to churches that are willing to disciple church leaders consider this approach to disciple the Sabbath School small group leaders. This approach can be a way to develop many church leaders who can serve the church effectively in many capacities, with less cost. To keep alive the Sabbath School small groups, it is necessary to disciple the Sabbath School small group leaders continually not just once but keep them growing and encourage them. It is also important to keep recruiting and training the new leaders to cover the gap that can occur in the leadership of the Sabbath School small groups, because Sabbath School small group leaders can change responsibilities in their local church for many reasons. Therefore, to keep on training the new leaders is important. Completing and keeping the records of the Sabbath School small group activities is important for the follow-up, the plan, and future research. How the local church in the Seventh-day Adventist Church keeps the records need further research. Training and involving the Sabbath School small group members in personal evangelism is one of the objectives of the Sabbath School small groups. This area needs to be researched more to see how the Sabbath School small groups can be a center for church evangelism.