Why Achievement Classes?
Years ago, when your fathers and mothers were boys and girls, there came a call through the Spirit of Prophecy to organize all the young people into a united group that should help finish the task of carrying the Advent message to all the world in this generation. It was in response to these and other similar messages that the Adventist Youth Society came to be formed. And so the years have passed and the boys and girls of all lands have met and prayed and studied and gone out from their meetings to work. A great work has been accomplished, and the one-time small band has grown to number many thousands and to stretch round the world. But how did there come to be Pathfinder classes? As our boys and girls met and worked and became interested in the AY/AJY activities, leaders felt the need of providing additional ways of helping them in their preparation for efficient service and the development of strong Christian character, that they might better know how to pioneer for God when He needs them. During the earnest study given to the question many pointed and helpful suggestions were found in the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, and a few of these are quoted here for your inspiration and encouragement: “The children are to be trained to become missionaries; they must be helped to understand distinctly what they must do to be saved.” {Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, page 168}. And the best preparation “is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.” {Education, page 13}. |