Department of Women’s Ministries

Breaking the silence

Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day

Suggested Sabbath School Program

· Song Service

· Opening Hymn: “A Shelter in the Time of Storm” No. 528 SDA Hymnal

· Welcome

· Scripture reading: 2 Samuel 22:33

· Opening Prayer

· Musical selection

· Special Feature: “Seeking Strength” written by Meibel Mello Guedes, Brazil*

· Benediction

· Break for classes

*Suggestion: Have note cards or stationery ready for class members to write a note of encouragement to someone who has been affected by abuse. Encourage them to mail their note and ask them for feedback the following week on how the recipient responded to the note.

Suggested Sabbath School Feature

Seeking Strength

By Meibel Mello Guedes

Scripture: God is my strength and power. 2 Sam. 22:33

It is possible throughout your life that you have heard many stories of women who have had to face the pain of betrayal by their spouse, and who had to face the pain of separation or abuse and so experienced much anguish.

When this happens to a friend, you are with her during the crisis and help her to overcome the obstacles. You give her a shoulder to cry on, you listen to her hurt and perhaps, if she is ready, you suggest alternatives which in your opinion should be considered opportune for this time. If you had the power in your hands, you would of course do everything you could to free her from this unfortunate situation. However, many times, no matter how much you want to do for your friend, you feel helpless.

Let me tell you what I feel and do when I am asked to help someone who is going through a situation like this. First I pray to my God and say, “What can I do to help this friend? I have an immense desire to help her and I would do anything so that peace, harmony, and family unity can remain unshaken. Lord, give me the right words at the right time.”

Recently, I spoke on the phone with a friend who lives far from my home. She was experiencing a bitter situation in her life. Her spouse ridiculed her and treated her with contempt, as though she were a totally incapable individual. At times she was tempted to believe that all the negative characteristics her husband mentioned were really true.

Among many messages which I sent to her, she took out one in which I mentioned all of her good qualities. When she was tempted to believe the cruel and malicious words uttered by her husband, she concentrated on the positive words and her virtues which I had mentioned in that letter. She told me that she read that message many times each day, and therefore was able to think, “I am not the person that my husband says I am; I am the person that my friend described.” Another prayer that was always in her heart was, “Take these negative thoughts from me. I was created in Your image and I have a great deal of value because you love me and redeemed me. I am certain of one thing, I have a great value for You, for my children, for my relatives, and my friends.”

Many, many people around the world are mistreated; they receive a daily load of abuse; they are used as objects; and many are disrespected. As time goes by, they lose their dignity and self-worth; they feel worthless because they feel they are not loved by people important in their lives. It is very possible that you know someone in this situation. Most of these individuals are women. God created these women; they are women for whom Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary; they are worthy of the love and compassion of our Heavenly Father who sees all and feels all. These women have an infinite value in the eyes of our Father. They are worthy of our care and support also.

Dear friend, if you know someone who is experiencing a crisis like this, write them a special message today, let him or her know that they are special to Jesus. Tell them that abuse is not their fault and that they don’t deserve to be abused. Help them to know their value in Jesus. Or if you are the victim of a situation like this, I have written the following words just for you, with much love: “Dear friend, you are beautiful. Your interior beauty is even greater than you exterior beauty. You are unique; there is no other person like you. Your virtues, your kindness, your desire to overcome, your smile make you a very special person. Look on high; contemplate the power of our Creator; He wants to see you happy. Contemplate His face on the cross, where He received mocking and scornful words, where He was humiliated and tortured. He knows perfectly how much malicious words hurt; therefore He understands your suffering.

“No matter how much loneliness you feel, remember He is at your side, concerned with the struggles you are facing. He extends His hand and says, “Daughter (or Son), be of good cheer, unite your fragility with my strength and you will be a winner! Look beyond the clouds and you will see the rays of sun which shine to illuminate your path. When you analyze yourself, always think in a positive, optimistic manner. Many others have gone through this path of pain. Those who have taken the chance to look up came out winners. Be one of them.”

“May you hear and feel the voice of God today telling you the following words, Daughter (or Son), I love you. You are very special! Do not be discouraged; go on, I am at your side.”

Meibel Mello Guedes is the wife of Pastor Arlindo Guedes, mother of three daughters, and grandmother of precious little Maressa. She is Women’s Ministries and Shepherdess Director for the South Brazil Union Conference and is completing a Master’s degree in Education. Her hobbies are reading, studying, and talking about Jesus.

BREAKING THE SILENCE

Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day

Suggested Divine Service Program

· Song Service

· Opening prayer

· Welcome

· Call to worship: “The Christian Home” No. 827 SDA Hymnal:

Never have grudges against others,

or lose your temper, or raise your voice to anybody,

or call each other names, or allow any sort of spitefulness.

Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each

other as readily as God forgave you in Christ.

Try then, to imitate God, as children of His that He loves, and follow

Christ by loving as He lo