SABBATH SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS



SABBATH SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS. Lessons, teaching aids and program helps, and general promotional material relating to Sabbath schools, either planned, published, or sponsored by the General Conference Sabbath School Department. From the first, Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath schools have had their own lessons and papers, beginning in 1852 in the new Youth’s Instructor with a single set of lessons designed for “children,” a term including all except adults. The differentiation of materials for various age groups came gradually, until today there are materials for eight separate divisions, from cradle roll through adults.

Sabbath School Lessons. Sabbath school lessons are produced in English by the General Conference Sabbath School Department and are published in quarterlies and some weekly papers given to the children and young people in the Sabbath school. The same lessons are used throughout the denomination. Until 1984 the General Conference Sabbath School Department made available a five-year cycle of simplified adult Sabbath school lessons. This was replaced with the Easy English edition, which follows the regular curriculum. An edition for the deaf in language that could be signed was piloted, beginning fourth quarter 1978, until Christian Record Services began publishing it first quarter 1981. That was replaced by the Easy English edition in the first quarter 1984.

The lesson topics for the cradle roll, running in sequence through the Bible, are repeated on a one-year cycle (although the parent’s helps that go with each week’s lesson are on a three-year cycle); those for the kindergarten and primary divisions are on a three-year cycle. The juniors and teens study similar subject matter; they began a new four-year curriculum in 1994. The youth division is on a four-year curriculum. The collegiate level is the same as the adult, with some adaptations and variations.

The first Sabbath school lessons were written by James White. He published the first four in the initial issue of the Youth’s Instructor, August 1852, only a few months after the Review and Herald publishing house had acquired its first press, at Rochester, New York. But the second monthly issue was delayed until October because, beginning on Aug. 20, White spent more than a month on a tour of conferences in various places between Rochester, New York, and Bangor, Maine. Traveling in a covered carriage with his wife and 3-year-old son, Edson, he often sat down at noon, and while his horse was feeding, used the “dinner box” or the top of his hat for a table on which to write material for the Review and Herald and for the Youth’s Instructor (LS 144, 145). At least as early as 1885 (see Review and Herald 62:87, Feb. 10, 1885), the tradition had arisen that on this trip White wrote the first Sabbath school lessons; but if, as is likely, it was at this time that he wrote the lessons for the October Youth’s Instructor, they were the second month’s lessons, since the first had come out in the August issue, before the Whites left Rochester (see Review and Herald 3:64, Aug. 19, 1852; 3:71, 72, Sept. 2, 1852).

The series begun by White consisted of 19 Sabbath school lessons. In 1853, 17 lessons on Daniel from a publication of J. V. Himes were used. These were followed by eight lessons on the sanctuary doctrine. In 1854 R. F. Cottrell prepared one year’s lessons, which were published first in the Youth’s Instructor, and in the following year in book form under the title The Bible Class. This series was used repeatedly (1855(1858).

In 1859 William Higley prepared a series of lessons on Daniel. Then for the next three and one-half years there were no new lessons, until in 1861(1862 some lessons for small children appeared in the Youth’s Instructor. In 1863 Uriah Smith wrote a series of 32 lessons for the seniors, and Adelia Patten wrote a two-year series of children’s lessons. From 1864 to 1888 senior and youth lessons appeared regularly in the Youth’s Instructor.

In 1869 G. H. Bell furnished two series of lessons, one for the children, beginning with the Old Testament, and one for the youth on the book of Daniel. These, later enlarged to eight yearly volumes, were used for 25 years.

Quarterlies and Other Periodicals. The development of lesson pamphlets and other periodicals is outlined here in order of origin (most of them in North America):

1885(The Sabbath School Worker, at first offering only instruction in teaching methods, but later including lesson helps for teachers and program helps for readers, enlarged to cover various Sabbath school divisions. In 1971 it reverted to only promotional, statistical, inspirational, and instructional material of a more general nature, with the specific program helps and teaching aids being published in 10 separate publications. In 1985 it was replaced by the Church Ministries Worker, which in 1990 was replaced by Action.

1889(The Senior Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly (preceded in 1888 and 1889 by three lesson pamphlets, each containing lessons for six months), published at the Pacific Press. In 1970 began an enlarged, loose-leaf edition, which included teacher’s helps. In January 1973 the name changed to Adult Sabbath School Lessons. These lessons are also translated for use in various countries. As early as the 1880s they were published in the German, Swedish, Danish, and French periodicals, and they are published today in quarterly form in more than 100 languages.

The 1975(1981 series of adult Sabbath school lessons was entitled Daybreak Series. It provided for a broad, balanced, and connected study of the themes proclaimed by the three symbolic angels of Revelation 14. The name Daybreak pointed to the second advent of Jesus. The series was designed to encourage and aid Sabbath school members to prepare to meet Jesus and hasten His appearing.

From 1982 to 1984 the lessons were based on the covenant God has made with His people, beginning with Abraham.

From 1985 to 1999 all of the 66 books of the Bible were systematically studied(along with two quarters on SDAs’ fundamental beliefs inserted in 1988 and 14 miscellaneous subjects such as health, the Holy Spirit, and pillars of Seventh-day Adventism.

1890(Our Little Friend, carrying the Sabbath school lessons for primary children under 9 years of age; since 1957 for cradle roll and kindergarten age.

1890(Senior Sabbath school lesson quarterlies in foreign languages (Danish, Swedish, French, and German), published at the Review and Herald.

1911, 1913(Primary and junior quarterlies, begun in Australia; introduced in the United States in 1920 and 1936, respectively.

The name was changed to Junior Bible Explorer in July 1972, and a complete format change came in January 1976. A change in the primary format began with the new cycle in January 1977 and again in October 1992.

1912(Missions Quarterly, containing mission stories for presentation in Sabbath schools to promote giving to missions. The name was changed to World Mission Report in January 1969. It now is called Mission.

1926(Braille Sabbath School Quarterly. Some Sabbath school lessons are available in Braille and in 162/3rpm records for blind and physically disabled(distributed through Christian Record Braille Foundation. Beginning in July 1973, a large-print adult quarterly was published(identical to the standard edition except photographically enlarged to 11" by 75/8", and beginning with January 1975, the adult Sabbath school lessons are available on cassettes with the content identical to the printed lessons but with a short introduction added. These are narrated by prominent Seventh-day Adventist leaders.

1933(1936(Lessons called Bible Stories for the Cradle Roll, by Rosamond D. Ginther, produced in five volumes for the five-year cycle then in use.

1940(The Youth Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, published by the Review and Herald. In January 1972 the name was changed to Today’s Youth Bible Discovery Guide, in January 1973 to Today’s Youth Scripture Guides, and in 1982 to Cornerstone Connections.

1942(Four undated senior lesson quarterlies for branch Sabbath schools. These were discontinued in 1973. The (Profiles of Faith” lessons then became the recommended materials for this purpose and the pastor’s class. In 1993 a new set of 27 lessons entitled (This We Believe” was published for this use along with a supplemental book with the same title written by Erwin Gane and Leo Van Dolson.

1945(My Bible Story, a weekly paper carrying the cradle roll Sabbath school lesson, discontinued in 1955.

1948(A series of children’s lessons for branch Sabbath schools called Adventures in the Holy Bible. These were discontinued in 1974. For the next decade these sets were available: Neighborhood Bible Club Lessons and Neighborhood Bible Club Program Helps with 13 programs.

1952(The Junior Guide, now Guide, carrying at first the junior lesson; then both junior and earliteen lessons. Beginning in 1976, it began to carry only supplements because of the enlarged format of the lessons.

1953(Primary Lesson Exercises workbook. Discontinued in 1977.

1957(Primary Treasure, carrying the Sabbath school lesson for the primary children, aged 7 to 9. Lessons are also available in quarterly form.

1959(Lessons on doctrines prepared for the pastor’s Bible class. These were revised in 1972 under the title Profiles of Faith. They contained 28 lessons and 11 coordinated books for supplementary reading. Since 1993 the two This We Believe quarterlies and the supplemental book of the same title are being used for this purpose.

1962(Earliteen Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, produced for the young people in grades 9 and 10, changed the next year to grades 7 and 8 (12(14 years of age); these lessons are carried also in Guide.

Until 1990 five teacher training courses had been made available through the General Conference Sabbath School Department (Teaching Teachers to Teach, by Eric B. Hare; Handbook for Sabbath School Teachers, by H. W. Lowe; Teach, by S. S. Will; and Called to Teach a Sabbath School Class, by LaVeta Payne; and Performance in Sabbath School Teaching(student and instructor’s manuals, cassette and slides or filmstrips). Also there was one from Home Study International (Teaching in the Sabbath School).

In January 1971 Program Helps and Teaching Aids were begun as separate publications on seven levels from cradle roll through adult. Other aids are available such as memory verse cards and Picture Rolls(published by the Review and Herald for the General Conference Church Ministries Department. Also available are felt materials and miscellaneous items from independent Seventh-day Adventist producers of Sabbath school supplies.

The earliest Sabbath school supplies, the memory verse cards (black and white), were first used in 1906, and changed to color in 1915; also in 1915 there was introduced a series of Eyegate Pictures (no longer used) to illustrate the children’s lessons, and the Picture Rolls (now in one-year and three-year cycles of lessons for primary and younger children).

In 1921 sand table cutouts were introduced (purchased then from other publishers); then in 1926 the Children’s Color Set (later Child’s Home Color Set). Now replaced by felt sets of the Bible.

In 1952 the flannel board cutouts were introduced, followed by various patterns, pictures, and other visual aids. Now replaced by felt sets of the Bible.

In 1961 through 1965 came Program Helps for Kindergarten Leaders in the three-year cycle, and then similar helps for the primary department; also the cradle roll helps in a one-year cycle. These were discontinued in 1971.

In 1964 was issued: Louise Meyer, How to Conduct Cradle Roll and Kindergarten Institutes and Workshops. This was revised in 1974.

In 1965 the following were issued:

William J. Harris, A Manual for Conducting Sabbath School Institutes and Workshops for Leaders and Teachers of the Primary Division. It was revised in 1974 and entitled How to Conduct Primary Institutes and Workshops.R. Curtis Barger, How to Conduct Junior and Earliteen Division Institutes and Workshops.

Ethel Grace Stones, Finger Plays for Tiny Tots, Cradle Roll (revision of Finger Plays for Tiny Tots by same author).

Ethel Grace Stones, Finger Plays for Tiny Tots, Kindergarten (revision of Finger Plays for Tiny Tots by same author).

Louise Meyer, Pointers and Patterns for Teachers of Tiny Tots, Nos. 3 and 4, revised.

Vera Groomer, Illustrating Sabbath Songs for Cradle Roll [( 1967].

Vera Groomer, Illustrating Sabbath Songs for Kindergarten [( 1968].

Also available are Vacation Bible School program and nature materials on three levels (kindergarten, primary, junior) for a three-year cycle and camp meeting lessons on three levels (cradle roll, kindergarten, primary) on a three-year cycle. These were revised in 1976, 1984, and 1993.

A program for collegiate Sabbath school lessons was begun by Union College and taken over by the General Conference in 1986, initiating the Collegiate Quarterly.

1985(five departments(Home and Family, Lay Activities, Sabbath School, Stewardship, Youth-merged to form the Department of Church Ministries.

Books. The department has sponsored a number of books by our publishing houses for Sabbath school workers:

1922(L. Flora Plummer, From Acorn to Oak.

1928(L. Flora Plummer, The Soul-Winning Sabbath School.

1935(L. Flora Plummer, The Soul-Winning Teacher.

1936(L. Flora Plummer, The Spirit of the Teacher.

1938(Ellen G. White, Counsels on Sabbath School Work.

1938(Mary H. Moore, They That Be Teachers.

1940(W. T. Bartlett, Sabbath School Ideals.

1941(Emma E. Howell, So You’re the Secretary.

1942(Mary H. Moore, A Workman Not Ashamed.

1945(Eric B. Hare, Those Juniors.

1949(H. W. Lowe, Evangelism in the Sabbath School.

1949(Sabbath School Department, Teaching Teachers to Teach.

1949(Mary Ogle, You and Your Sabbath School.

1949(Clara M. Striplin, Those Tiny Tots.

1950(R. R. Breitigam, The Challenge of Child Evangelism.

1955(Vacation Bible School Teachers’ Guides.

1955(Vacation Bible School Manual.

1956(H. W. Lowe, Handbook for Sabbath School Teachers.

1956(Sabbath School Department, Sabbath School Manual (revised 1986).

1956(Sabbath School Department, The Sabbath School Report.

1956(Merlin L. Neff, You Are a Teacher.

1956(R. R. Breitigam, The Teacher Sent From God.

1959(William J. Harris, Our Priceless Primaries.

1963(S. S. Will, Teach.

1964(Senior Sabbath School Program Helps for 1964.

1964(Gerald R. Nash, Evangelism Through the Sabbath School.

1965(R. Curtis Barger, compiler and editor, Goal Devices for Progressive Sabbath Schools.

1965(William J. Harris, The Challenge of Vacation Bible School Evangelism.

1965(William J. Harris, compiler and editor, Vacation Bible School Crafts and How to Make Them.

1965(Gerald R. Nash, Planning Better Sabbath Schools.

1965(Gerald R. Nash, Investment(The Miracle Offering.

1965(Senior Sabbath School Program Helps for 1965.

1966(Senior Sabbath School Program Helps for 1966.

1966(R. Curtis Barger, Tomorrow in Your Hand.

1966(Mary Ogle, Modern Sabbath School Reporting.

1966(Gerald R. Nash, Sabbath School Special Days.

1967(Kathleen Louise Meyer, Teaching Tiny Tots.

1967(Senior Sabbath School Program Helps for 1967.

1967(L. Flora Plummer and G. R. Nash, The Spirit of the Teacher.

1968(Senior Sabbath School Program Helps for 1968.

1968(G. R. Nash, Reaching New Horizons in Sabbath School Investment.

1974(R. Curtis Barger, Juniors? Help!

1980(W. Richard Lesher, Tips for Teachers.

1981(Alice Lowe, Building Little Christians.

1983(Habenicht and Bell, How to Teach Children in Sabbath School. The Sabbath School Manual is revised following each General Conference session.

Since 1983 a series of supplemental books for the adult lessons has been published each quarter.

Following is a list of Sabbath school songbooks:

1878(The Song Anchor.

1886(Joyful Greeting.

1892(The Gospel Song Sheaf.

1900(Christ in Song.

1926(Sunshine Songs for Boys and Girls.

1932(Joyful Songs.

1951(Sabbath Songs for Tiny Tots, book 1.

1952(Happy Songs for Boys and Girls.

1952(Sabbath School Songs (Songs of Praise).

1955(Sabbath Songs for Tiny Tots, book 2.

1955(Children Sing.

1960(Sabbath Songs for Tiny Tots, book 3.

1964(Sabbath Songs for Tiny Tots, Cradle Roll.

1964(Sabbath Songs for Tiny Tots, Kindergarten (these two a revision of Sabbath Songs for Tiny Tots, books 1, 2, and 3).

1967(More Sabbath Songs for Tiny Tots.

1975(Primary Songbook.

1980(New Sabbath Songs for Tiny Tots, Cradle Roll; New Sabbath Songs for Tiny Tots, Kindergarten.

1981(Alice Lowe, See’ n’ Sing.[i]

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