Power of an Invitation

To Sabbath School teachers: This story is for Sabbath, August 23.

By Andrew McChesney

D

o you know the power of an invitation?

Luccilla sometimes went to church with Grandma in Zimbabwe. But she found the song service boring, and she fell asleep during the sermon. So, she stopped going.

But then she received a special invitation to church. On a Sabbath morning, a big 15-year-old neighbor girl named Abigail saw Luccilla playing outside and invited her to church. “I’m going to church,” Abigail said. “Do you want to go with me?”

The two girls weren’t close friends, but Luccilla had seen Abigail around the neighborhood. She liked her and looked up to her because she was older. She hadn’t planned to go to church that morning. In fact, she had never been in a Seventh-day Adventist church. But suddenly she remembered hearing that the Adventist church held campouts and other fun activities. She thought, “Why not? Let’s try it out.” She followed Abigail to church.

When they arrived, Luccilla was directed to a class for younger kids. She didn’t know anyone, but her discomfort lasted only for a moment. The teacher opened Sabbath School with a game of tug-of-war. Instead of using a rope, the children pulled on each other. It was great fun! Before Sabbath School ended, Luccilla even had made a new friend.

After Sabbath School, Luccilla sat with Abigail in church. The song service was lively and interesting. The preacher also was lively and interesting. Instead of falling asleep, she remained wide awake.

Luccilla wanted to go to church again, and she waited for Abigail to invite her. But after church, Abigail didn’t say anything about going together the next Sabbath. Abigail didn’t say anything on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. By Wednesday, Luccilla couldn’t wait any longer. “Hey, could we go to church together again next Sabbath?” she asked.

Abigail looked surprised.

“Oh, you want to go?” she said. “OK, I’ll pass by your house and take you.”

On Sabbath morning, Luccilla was dressed and ready when Abigail arrived.

After that, the two girls went to church together every Sabbath. Luccilla enjoyed it every time. She loved the music and the sermons. She loved making new friends and getting to know Jesus. Before long, Jesus became her best friend, and she decided to give her heart to Him in baptism.

Abigail was so happy when Luccilla was baptized! When she first invited her to church, she had had no idea that the invitation would result in a baptism. Now, every time Abigail sees Luccilla in church, she knows that her invitation is the reason that Luccilla is worshiping God. The thought fills her with joy!

Luccilla is eager to experience the same joy as Abigail. Abigail showed her love and kindness, and Luccilla wants to show the same love and kindness to someone else. She is planning to invite a neighbor to go with her to church on Sabbath.

“I will now invite someone to church, too,” she said. “I want to be like Abigail.”

Do you know the power of an invitation? Invite someone to church next Sabbath. Maybe that person will be like Luccilla and end up giving his or her heart to Jesus. All you have to do is invite someone — and let God do the rest.

When children are filled with the Holy Spirit, they show joy, love, and kindness just like Abigail. The Bible says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23; NKJV). Your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering this quarter will help make a series of short videos that will teach children about the fruit of the Spirit in Zimbabwe and in the other countries of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. Thank you for planning a generous offering on September 27.