Image © Darrel Tank from GoodSalt.com

[Thought questions for Equipping for Evangelism and Witnessing May 23, 2012]

1. Good deeds. If all that is good is of God, what do you make of the statement in the quarterly that good deeds can be performed apart from Jesus Christ? Is that possible? What about equipping someone else for a witnessing or evangelistic program? Can you do that? By the grace of God?

2. Job preparation. What are some of the job requirements you can think of for a job as a soul-winner in the Adventist church? Is there such a job? If so, does the job require skills in salesmanship? persuasion? management? If you had to choose between a professional evangelist with lots of charm and an ordinary preacher with no platform talent at all, what would you look for in making your choice? Why? What do your church members need more…Training in one-on-one friendship and witnessing? or training and experience in group evangelism?

3. Learn by Observing. What could you have learned about evangelism from watching Jesus feed the crowd of 5,000? Have you ever had 5,000 people over for lunch? Suppose this happened, and somehow you got the job done, and it was a great success. Would you give credit to the talents God gave you? How would you feel if, like John the Baptist, you’d been a great success but ended up in prison? Does God always reward the faithful with success?

4. Learn by Doing. If you study every move and then copy what a prize-winning golfer does, do you become a prize-wining golfer, too? Do you remember learning to swim? Until you plunged into the water, could you have been a success at swimming? Do you like going from house to house inviting the people to attend a special church program? Is it always a surprise, or can you know ahead of time if you are capable of inviting someone to participate in a program or activity?

5. Failure. Have you ever tried to bring up a spiritual topic with someone and been told to jump in a lake (or in some other way to disappear)? Would you consider that encounter a failure? If your goal is  to bring everyone you meet next week into a saving relationship with Jesus, what would constitute a failure in your thinking? Did Jesus’ disciples ever fail? Have you ever observed well-meaning words drawing a wedge between the speaker and the listener? Can God help us turn our failures into steping stones? How?

6. Success. In God’s terms, what is success? How does God’s definition differ from that of most people’s? Do we have better success in winning people to our church affiliation when we follow tested rules and procedures? Will some of our mightiest successes in our church turn out to be disastrous failures in the end? In what way(s) does Satan succeed with his plans? Does God want us to enjoy success in winning souls? Is it a challenge to be both successful and unselfish?

7. Local church training. Does your church plan evangelistic or outreach programs a year in advance? If not, why not? Who is involved in developing your outreach plans? What are Satan’s specific plans for your church? Should we encourage our church’s children to develop their skills such as public speaking, music, and friendliness? What temptations come to us as we endeavor to prepare our church for a ministry that reaches far and wide?

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[Teaching Plan for "Equipping for Evangelism and Witnessing" May 21, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 11:4-6.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What kind of reporting would you feel was important to share with others?
C. Personal Application: How can we go and show others what we have seen and heard when we are far removed from Jesus’ physical presence and miracles?
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “The only healers I hear about and see are on TV asking for my money in Christ’s name. I think they are fake and crooked. So where are Christ’s real people and miracles today?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Luke 10:1-11.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. When do we give up on trying to reach a city, country, or a person with the gospel? When they first reject it? When they refuse to hear it? When they persecute you? Why did Jesus tell the 70 to turn away after the first try?
C. Personal Application: What are church members usual excuses for not witnessing for their faith?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “This kind of witnessing is like missionary work, where a person leaves home and lives in other areas for a long time and depends on others for food and shelter. Our social structure and Christian witness doesn’t follow this model anymore, and a lot of counsel doesn’t seem to apply to us today.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 17:14-21.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is fasting something of the past, or do your church members fast and pray for special occasions? Share.
C. Personal Application: Have you ever tried to witness to a friend, neighbor, or coworker that didn’t turn out very good? What did you learn from that experience in regards to false witnessing? Share..
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “So according to this Scripture, the reason many people aren’t healed or cured from many physical and mental problems is because the church members don’t have enough faith or connection with God.” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read 2 Peter 3:9.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What are some ways that the devil uses to keep us from sharing the gospel with someone else? Does social status, personality differences, culture, race, or financial status have any influence on our efforts?
C. Personal Application: How urgent do you feel it is that you try to reach people for Jesus before the end comes? Are we waiting for Sunday laws before we start taking things seriously?
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com

STORY

“I don’t like the word ‘corporate’ in the title of our Sabbath school lesson about witnessing,” Beth complained.

“Why not?” Her husband Matt rubbed his chin.

“Because it makes it sound like evangelism is big business.”

“And you think that evangelism is little business?”

“No, not really. I just don’t think that God expects us to run our church and even our evangelism programs like a business.”

“What’s the alternative?”

“Each person witnessing for himself, or herself. You know. Grow where you’re planted. Let your little light shine. One-on-one evangelism. Friendship evangelism. Whatever you want to call it.”

“But how would we ever have the Pathfinder Club? Or the community services ministry? Or an almost new church to worship in? or a church school? Could those things happen without a cooperative effort by the members?”

Beth conceded that her husband was right, that big projects require a lot of people working together. But something in her pulled away from the idea of  projects designed and managed by her church. What does Beth need? How would you help her understand “corporate evangelism” from a fellow member’s perspective?

[Thought Questions for Corporate Evangelism and Witnessing May 15, 2012]

1. Work enough for all. Do people attend your church who are otherwise respectable and devoted members but seem to have no interest whatsoever in supporting any church-wide projects? Is there anything your church who can do about uninvolved members? Do some people have good reasons for staying in the background? As fellow members, what should our attitude be towards such members? How long should a new member belong to your church before they are given an invitation to be involved in the church? Is it possible for a church not  to have any evangelism-oriented work to do? Discuss.

2. Knowing what’s going on. In North America about half of all Adventist church members seldom if ever attend church. In some other Christian denominations the proportion of members who attend church regularly is less than 10 percent. Do you think more would be involved with the church if they knew what was going on? How should we tell them? The Bible says, “two are better than one,” Ecclesiastes 4:9. How many good friends do you have in your local church? Do you enjoy doing church-related work with your friends?

3. Planning Together. Does the pastor do most of the planning and directing in your church? Is that good or bad? Or does it depend…if so, on what? What part do you play in the planning process?  What part would you like to play? Have you ever tried to set up a big program without any support from the members? Imagine that you work at the church’s headquarters. How would you garner support in planning and carrying out programs for all churches? If we as members were more excited than we are about the Second Coming, would we be more eager to suggest, plan, and become involved in local church programs?

4. Goal ownership. Do you know what your church’s goals and objectives are? Do you feel that you “own” your church’s goals? What does that mean? How long should local church goals exist? How often should they be discussed? What role should members have in setting church goals? What happens in an active church once goals have been set? What about a lethargical church? What happens to their goals? Why?

5. Join a team. They may not call it that, but doesn’t your church have dozens of teams working around the year? What if your music were set up without teamwork?  Or the Sabbath school? Or what about Community Services? Doesn’t it make your heart beat with pride to see helping and sharing functions shared by members? What about that evangelistic campaign you’re planning to conduct  with local members only? How many teams have you as a member? Throw out the word, “team.” Can you still find ways to work with others and make friends?

6. Do your share. Does this lesson read like a recruitment brochure? Shouldn’t it? In the history of the world, is it time for every member to sign up and dedicate his or her time and energy to the work of the church? How strong was the urge in the early Christian church to learn, to do, to go, to help others? What can we do today to strengthen our Christian urges along those lines? Is it possible for church members to push themselves too hard and try to do too much church work? Have you seen that happen? What would God like to see in His church on earth?

7. Corporate unity. How much unity do we need in our church? What do you think about the need to “dumb it down?” If everything is presented so simply that a third-grader could understand, would that contribute to corporate unity? Or would it be better to raise expectations to our highest level? Is unity without Christ worth anything? Is unity for its own sake any better? Did Jesus always create an aura of unity wherever he went? What are the characteristics of divine unity that can make our churches stronger witnesses of God’s love?

8. Being realistic. If your church runs a community outreach program that fails, is that the fault of the planners? If you’ve never run a Vacation Bible School before, and you expect 100 youngsters to show up, how can you know if you are being realistic? What can you do to increase the possibility of your attendance goals being reached? If the majority of active members doubt that a project voted by the church board is realistic, will it fail? Why or why not?

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[Teaching Plan for "Corporate Evangelism and Witnessing" May 14, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read 2 Timothy 2:2.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is it important that the truth of Christ be shared with those who will share it with still others?
1) If they don’t share, does that mean they are unfaithful?
C. Personal Application: How much training and discipling did you receive in the church? Who did you look to for training?
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “It’s the pastors, elders, and teacher’s job to train the members through discipling. But the pastor and elders are more focused on sermons and board meetings that on the job training and how to seminars. And the teachers just want to talk, not do on the job training.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How important is it to be supported in your efforts? Do others feel appreciative when you support them? Why is the buddy system supported strongly in the Scriptures?
C. Personal Application: When doing a job or task, do you prefer to work alone or with someone? Why? Share. Does that apply to church work as well, or is that different?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “I don’t like to work with others because I can’t depend on them. I’ve been let down too many times by people who say they will do something or show up at a certain time, and they don’t do what they said they would, or they don’t show up. Usually they give me some lame excuse. I’d rather get it done by myself. How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 4:14-16.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does working together contribute to the growth and building up of the church?
C. Personal Application: If parts of the body aren’t working, does that affect the effectiveness of the whole body? How is love affected?.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Does your church spend more time on music, worship, church business, and social activities than it does on outreach, witnessing, and evangelism?” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Colossians 1:27-29.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is warning and teaching used in the same sentence? Have we focused more on teaching and not enough on warning people of the danger of not being sanctified through Christ in us?
C. Personal Application: How do we teach every man in all wisdom to present them perfect in Christ Jesus?
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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Are any of the following involved in personal evangelism?¹

1. Judy is sitting at her desk at home signing cards to send to children in the primary division for their birthdays.
2. Matthew is working on a stubborn computer to get it to run again for an equally stubborn old man who lives down the road.
3. Susan is chopping carrots and lettuce for a salad she is taking to a special after-church lunch.
4. The Wilson family is driving ten  miles out of their way to take Mr. and Mrs. Morrison and a wheelchair to church.
5. Ellen is teaching an ESL (English as a Second Language) class as a volunteer.

Could it be that activities as ordinary and common as these are examples of personal evangelism? Doesn’t evangelism by definition involve inviting a person to draw closer to Jesus? Are we in danger of trivializing Jesus’ command to “tell the world” by including activities such as these in the meaning of “evangelism”?

Is it possible that people who are so full of God’s love that they don’t even think about what they are doing are among those at the end of time who say in bewilderment, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

I don’t think that’s a self-limiting list, do you? Rather than commandments, should we consider these suggestions? Or thought-starters? When we’re filled with God’s love, will our actions show it? Is that personal evangelism?

[Thought Questions for Personal Evangelism and Witnessing May 9, 2012]

1. My God and Me. Is it hard for you to think about a God so big that He knows you personally as if nobody else lived on this earth?  What does it take to reach the point that you can accept God’s personal knowledge of us and His caring for you as if you were His only one? What does that knowledge do to you? When you pray to God do you sense the one-on-one nature of His love for you? How is it possible for one Being to know everyone on a personal level? Have you ever tried “walking with God” and talking/listening to Him throughout the entire day? Once you have the awareness of God’s singular love for you, how does that affect what you do and what you want?

2. My Mission Field. Is computer-based “social networking” strong enough to sustain a valid Christian relationship? If you don’t think so, why? Is there a better way to “connect” than through computer technology? If so, what would that be? Do you sometimes envy John the Baptist because he knew exactly what his mission was? Has God assigned a mission field to you? How do we identify and make friends with the people inside that mission field?  Do you have enough friends? If not, how can you add to your friendship circle? Do you have too many friends? What are the disadvantages of that situation?

3. Volunteers. Have you ever signed up as a volunteer and only then realized that you weren’t cut out for such a responsibility? Did you get busy and change your mind? Think of your most successful volunteer projects. What made them successful? What if you prayed earnestly for God to lead you to a useful volunteer role that would make friends for you and open opportunities to share God’s love with others. Would He answer your prayer? Do we have to join a group or support an organized ministry to volunteer in sharing God’s love with others? Can we be too isolated in our ministry?

4. A righteous life. Would you rather see a sermon than hear one? Can you do both? How do our actions qualify us for a role as a witness to God’s love? What if our actions are mean or self-centered? Are we still witnessing? Can we always judge the motives of people working for God? Should we try? At the end of the day, would you like to see a video of everything you did and said all day long? Can we be overly introspective in considering the status of our Christian life? Does God want us to agonize over our weaknesses? Or does He want some other emotional reaction? If yes, what?

5. Corporate evangelism. Think about the sowers and reapers of the Bible illustration by Jesus. Are you better at sowing or at reaping? How does the church’s success in witnessing to God’s love in your community reflect on its members? Do the “corporate evangelists” of our church possess special skills and training to win souls to Jesus? If so, shouldn’t we just step aside, give them the funds they need, and praise God for the increase? Design  a plan for an evangelistic series without an evangelist. Could that be done? Should we be thinking down new roads as the time of the end of the gospel message to sinners approaches?

6. Knowing or doing. Can we “do” the works of God without “knowing” about Him? Is it more important to know the key doctrines of the Bible or to follow the basic commandment of God–to love Him and to love one another. Do we place as much emphasis on love as a testing truth in our church as we should? Have you ever had someone outside of your faith comment on the fact that you must be a Christian? Does your love for God open doors to talk to others and encourage them? Are you satisfied with your “love life” with Jesus? If not, what can you do about it?

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[Teaching Plan for "Personal Evangelism and Witnessing" May 7, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read Acts 4:13,14.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What should a person who has been with Jesus be like? What did John and Peter’s relationship with Jesus enable them to do?
C. Personal Application: How does your presence: the way you talk, act, and treat people reveal your relationship with God? Are there things that could be improved? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “There’s a lot of uneducated people who speak confidently and boldly today, all it does is show their ignorance and foolishness; what is different about the disciples that made others marvel?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John 1:40-42.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why did Andrew first seek out his brother to bring him to Jesus rather than someone else?
C. Personal Application: Is it easier to share the gospel and personal testimony with those close to you or with strangers?
1) How much sacrifice would it take on your part to be a better witness to those around you?
D. Case Study: One of your newly baptized convert’s family members states, ”Jimmy was lazy before, and now that he has joined your church, he refuses to clean up or do the dishes on the Sabbath. He’s gotten lazier.” How would you respond to Jimmy’s family member? How would you counsel Jimmy?

3. Have a volunteer read I Peter 3:10-15.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How important is it as a Christian to watch what we say and guard our tongues?
C. Personal Application: Do you have a personal answer to give to someone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “How do you deal with church members that state that they don’t have to give Bible studies or share their faith by word; all they need to do is live a good Christian life and that is their witness?” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read John 4:37,38.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What is the best balance between sowing and reaping that will help the church prosper and grow along with its members?
C. Personal Application: How are you involved in the sowing and reaping process in your church? How can you be more involved?.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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Once upon a time, towards the end of the post-Millerate era of zeal, a seed was planted. Perhaps it was in a small church made of rough boards hewn to fit a frame on a concrete block. Perhaps it was in a barn big enough to accommodate a few hundred believers. Wherever it was, the plant from the seed grew in a slightly different direction from those of other seeds or seedlings in this vast farming community. They grew a little more out than up. Then other seeds sprouted up until by the middle of the twentieth century there were unique plants throughout the area once occupied by early church members. The only trait all the plants had in common was their angle in relation to the ground.¹

The plants bore fruit. Some of them grew into sturdy trees with blossoms on the outstretched branches that became sweet and juicy fruits—apricots, oranges, or mangoes. Others produced raspberry and blackberry and blueberry bushes that bore berries of many tastes.

The problem was that as the branches grew, they became heavy with all the fruit, until even the berry bush branches were about to break. The fruit must be picked, now.

The fruit committee met to discuss the issue. One member said they should sprinkle gasoline and burn the whole fruit farm down. “We should start over,” he said. Another member said that was ridiculous. “The fruit from the fruit farm is valuable,” she said. ”We should pick the most valuable fruit first, and sell it at the market.” The third speaker wasn’t even a member of the fruit committee. He was a thirteen-year-old son of two of the members, but he spoke up anyway.

“Can’t you see?” he said in a pleading voice. “This fruit is a gift to us. We should give it away free, just as it came to us, to all of our neighbors.”

Silence reigned until it was finally broken by a voice from the back. “So move,” the brother said.

And it was done.

[Thought Questions for Sequential Evangelism and Witnessing May 1, 2012]

1. Sequence. Since all of us Adventists became Christians of the Seventh-day Adventist persuasion at different times, does that mean we all have a different perspective of what the Bible says? What if we aren’t Adventists but are studying what this church born in New England believes? Have you ever watched an evangelist lay on layer after layer of doctrine and wondered if any prospective church members really knew what he was talking about? Should we invite people to join our church without going through a carefully planned sequence of what we believe? Why? or Why not?

2. Make it sequential. What is “sequential evangelism?” Does the lesson guide, in making use of the term “felt needs” imply that we should use felt needs as a guide to developing an outreach ministry? What if you participated in a community program that provides free meals to the public. Should you talk to them about your love for God and what you believe that Bible tells you about sharing that love? If all you do is load up plates with hot food and give them with big smiles to hungry people, have you missed an opportunity of witnessing? Why or why not?

3. From program to program. What is needed in order for your church to have a sequential outreach ministry? What if, instead of programs organized by the church, individual members were busy on their own meeting the needs of the  public? What are the advantages of a member-based individual ministry? What are the disadvantages? Wait a minute. Wasn’t that a strong suggestion in the lesson guide that even though we’re meeting the needs of others, we “must follow Jesus’ example and somehow help to turn minds to eternal issues.” (Emphasis provided.) Did Jesus always lead those He healed to understand Bible truth? What about when he healed everyone living in a village or area? What about when He opens an opportunity for you to be a witness of His love to another person?

4. Milk and solid food. When your little one took a first bite of a cracker of other “solid” food, how did it make you feel? Was that the end of the baby’s nutritional growth? When it comes to theology, what teachings are “milk?” Some say the truths of the Bible are so deep it would take years for proper indoctrination of interested persons. So, they say, we should baptize them if they accept Jesus as their Savior but not accept them into full membership until they’ve grasped the 28 beliefs. What do you think of that approach? What would be the associated benefits? problems? Are you a connoiseur of the “deep beliefs” in Scripture? How do you prepare for such a vigorous diet?

5. Testing Truths. Ah, but there are some truths we teach that are so important we call them “testing truths.” What does that mean? Do we each have a different set of testing truths? Is the seventh-day Sabbath always a testing truth? To everyone? If you didn’t accept the Sabbath as God’s will, would you attend a seventh-day church? Speaking of sequence…Before we can accept a testing truth such as healthful living or Sabbath keeping, what all-compelling belief absolutely has to come first? Do you think we should spend more time preaching and demonstrating the cardinal truth of Jesus–His love–to win others to Him? Why is this easier said than done? Should we look for ways to wrap everything we believe in our love for a God with infinite love for us?

6. Evangelistic metrics. The word “metrics” is a buzz word in business right now. We are encouraged to use “metrics” in management and planning. Assuming the word “metrics” means “measuring,” should we apply metrics to our work of evangelism in our church? Why do we need to measure the progress a person is making while studying the Bible with us? Is it always possible? Should it be? What about your own spiritual growth? Are there metrics you can apply to perceive how your walk with God is leading you closer to Him?

7. The sower sows. Are you disappointed in the lack of opportunities that come your way to reap a fine harvest for God? Should you be? Does God give such opportunities to those who seek them? Statistics indicate that our church membership isn’t keeping up with population growth, especially in the US and Canada but also in Europe and other areas of the world. Does that mean Jesus is going to delay His coming more than He has? How many campaigns should we run in the next 20 years to turn the statistics around? Or is that God’s plan? What are you doing to help family members, neighbors, co-workers and others see a person whose love for God takes first place?

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[Teaching plan for "Sequential Evangelism and Witnessing" April 30, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 25:34-36.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is this speaking symbolically about the gospel and salvation, or does it have a literal application as well? Share.
C. Personal Application: Why is it important to help people who have physical or emotional needs? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Jesus said the poor would be with us always. Many are poor because of bad lifestyle choices, mismanagement, and misuse of resources. Wouldn’t our helping them just encourage them to continue in their wayward path?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 3:1-3.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What do you think Paul is referring to here as milk and meat?
(Note: See Hebrews 6:1-3)
C. Personal Application: Have you ever given a Bible study? What are the advantages of using systematic Bible study guides in leading people to the truth?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, ”I went on a Bible study and they were so excited that they asked one question after another, and we spent four hours covering all kinds of subjects. But when I went back the next week, they didn’t want to study anymore. I just don’t understand what happened.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 6:63-66. John 14:15.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is it easier to share the truth of the Bible with a person who has already been taught in the Christian faith or someone who hasn’t? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?
C. Personal Application: Are there “testing truths” of the Bible that still challenge your total commitment to God? Has it been “laid aside” or does it need to be dealt with? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “It’s so frustrating. People love the Bible studies until we get to the Sabbath, or the state of the dead, or the secret rapture, or tongue-speaking, or living together, or smoking. And then it’s over. No more studies or no move to change their lifestyle. No coming to church. What’s wrong with these people?” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Luke 8:11-15.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is it the need to cultivate the soil, weed the tares, and nurture the ground that would help people grow into faithful, mature Christians, or is it a matter of the individual’s own heart and choices? Share.
C. Personal Application: Have you seen by experience the types of sowing and soil referred to by Christ? Do we blame ourselves when they leave, or other church members, or the pastor, or bad programs? How much of that really has to do with a person’s relationship with Christ?
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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My doctor handed me some papers and asked me to read the radiologist’s report to him.¹

I was stunned. I couldn’t fully understand the medical terminology, but it sounded like I had a terrible brain disease and was headed for the coffin. I just sat there.

“I don’t know how I can help you,” he said. “Live a good lifestyle and who knows?”

He wrote a prescription for a walker with wheels and called the Department of Motor Vehicles to give me a test to see if I should be driving an automobile.

Six months later I was back in the doctor’s office.

“What about your driving permit?” My doctor said.

“Unrestricted. And I’m not using the walker.”

Except for being a bit unsteady on my feet, all was well. Then I wondered: How can crippled, blind, deaf, mentally deficient and otherwise impaired people give a clear message of God’s love?

[Thought Questions for Evangelism and Witnessing as a Lifestyle April 24, 2012]

1. The reluctant witness. Do you think Dorcas had any idea of her wonderful example of always helping people? Would she have been more comfortable if nobody had noticed? Are we ever in danger of being a bit paranoid by believing that people watch us and learn about our personal religion as a result? Or is our danger in the opposite direction when we are sure that nobody cares what we do or what we believe as long as we leave them alone? When you see other people in town or work or even at church, do you tend to reach conclusions about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Is that dangerous or helpful?

2. They’ll know. Jesus seemed very sure that when people are around us, they’ll know if we are His disciples or not. How will they know? Can’t sinful people put on a front and appear to be caring and friendly? Should we be as friendly to those outside our fellowship as those within our church? If our only motive in making friends with a Baptist or a Catholic is to convince them to join our church, how eager will those people be to share a friendship with us? Should that goal (bringing them in to the church) be the overiding goal in our relationships with others? If not, what should be?

3. Compassion. Have you heard about the Adventist pastor who greeted the congregation and said how happy he was that Adventists are better Christians than anyone else”? Or that “everyone who truly loves the Lord will be ‘in this building’ every Sabbath?” What do comments like that say about our compassion or lack of it for other Christians? Should we join people from other churches or groups in meeting the spiritual and physical needs of others? Or should we be careful that any sympathy or good deeds are firmely rooted in our church? Since the great message of the gospel is God’s love, should Christians of all faiths join in proclaiming that?

4. Sympathizing. Have you ever heard that a person who grew up following sin to the extreme and then is converted to Christianity is a better witness of the Christian life than one who has always been a Christian because he or she has walked in the paths of sin and understand what a temptation they are? Do you agree with that philosophy? In a country where there are as many guns as people, should we spend time in the gutters or running with criminal gangs in order to understand them better? What is Jesus’ example for winning friends?

5. Hospitality. Do you ever run into obstacles when you decide to be hospitable to your non-Christian neighbors? Should you invite them to a vegetarian cook-out? Or accept their invitation to a barbeque if you’re a strict vegetarian? Have you ever had people refuse to be friends with you when they found out you are a Seventh-day Adventist? Why would they do that? What about family events when the majority of relatives are not Adventist and most are not Christians? Should you attend these events? If so, how should you relate to what goes on there?

6. Friends. From birdwatching to neighborhood cleanups to antique cars or quilting—how many opportunities does your community offer that could lead to fun—and friendships? What about volunteer programs such as helping to serve meals to the hungry? Or helping teenage moms take care of their babies? Or reading to an elderly person who can hardly see? Or coaching teenagers playing soccer or tennis or other high school sports? Is there anything we as church members can do to encourage fellow Adventists to make friends with people outside the circle of our church?

7. Write it down. Your lesson ends with an appeal to share information with others in the church about what you are doing to make friends in your community. There is also a strong appeal to start or support programs that reach out into the neighborhood. If your church has 100 or more members, should it even be possible to keep track of all the good deeds being done? For an active church, how might it be that not writing down every good thing done by members is a better alternative? What are some good reasons for letting other members know what families, individuals, and groups are doing for others?

8. Ready? Are you ready to expand your friendships? Help more people? Ask for the Holy Spirit to direct you to new opportunities? Will you gladly do all of these things even if nobody notices?

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[Teaching plan for "Evangelism and Witnessing as a Lifestyle" April 23, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read John 13:35.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Does loving one another in the church mean that we don’t have differences of opinion, politics, personality clashes, likes and dislikes? How do we deal with these issues in a Christian manner?
C. Personal Application: In what practical ways do we show love for one another in the church family? Share an example.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I’ve seen a lot of Christians who fight, steal, cheat, and act unkind to others. There’s so much bogus Christianity that it gives Christ and His church a bad name. What can the church do about that?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 9:36-38.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does Jesus mean when He says that His disciples should pray that God send forth laborers into His harvest? Should we pray for laborers?
(Note: See Isaiah 6:5-8. Matthew 28:18-20)
C. Personal Application: When was the last time you felt compassion for someone? Was it for a physical or financial situation? When have you felt compassion for people caught up in false religion or no religion trying to struggle through life? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, ”I know you have a Dorcas center with food and clothes for those who are referred or ask. Does your church members go out into the community to seek out those in need? Do you check with those in your neighborhood? How can we be more compassionate?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 9:20-22.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does Paul mean when he says he became as weak to the weak, and as without law to those without law?
C. Personal Application: Is it easy to identify ourselves with those who don’t think, act, or live like we do? How can we establish common ground with them?
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “You can’t lower your standards to reach people. All you’ll do is ruin your own experience and compromise your faith in the process. Then you’ll be living in “gray” areas instead of black and white.” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read John 17:15-20.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How can we be in the world but not of the world? How can we live here and not be affected by it? Does God give us some kind of Teflon coating? Share.
C. Personal Application: How are you not of this world? How are you still
Of this world that needs to be dealt with, worked on, or improved?
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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[Teaching plan for "Spiritual Gifts for Evangelism & Witnessing" April 16, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 4:11-14.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What are some of the reasons for having spiritual gifts in the church? What does it mean to edify the body?
C. Personal Application: How have pastors, evangelists, teachers, or prophets helped you to be a better minister or perfect your character?
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I don’t need any organized church. Christ said we would all know Him from the least to the greatest. So I don’t need a preacher, evangelist, prophet, or teacher. I know the Bible for myself.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 12:28-31.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What is the difference between a spiritual gift and a natural ability? Do we ever need to improve upon our abilities or gifts to better serve God? Share.
C. Personal Application: What do you think your main spiritual gifts are? Why? (Alternative: Ask each class member to share what they believe each other’s spiritual gifts to be.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, ”Some people are more talented and gifted than others. It’s better to let them do the work than try to do something that you’re not as good at. Why preach if you have a good preacher? Why teach if you have a good teacher?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Romans 12:3-5.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How important is it for the church to develop and use the gifts of every member of the church? What happens when a person is not challenged or included in some church ministry? Are there some members of your church that need inclusion?
C. Personal Application: Have you ever felt that some people in the church who have had leadership positions may develop a self-esteem problem and misuse their authority? How does one help them not to think too highly of themselves? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I belong to a large church and whatever gifts I may have are lost in the size of the church. So they are unimportant and useless since the church doesn’t see them or use them. Will I be held accountable for not using my gifts if the church doesn’t use them?” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read John 16:13.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth?
1) Why do many Christians say the Spirit is guiding them, but it leads them away from Spiritual foundations?
(Note: See John 17:17; Isaiah 8:19,20)
C. Personal Application: Has the Holy Spirit come to you and shown you
Things to come, or do you think His coming to you with all truth is yet
future? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this
week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with
them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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Into the tent where the gypsy boy lay
Dying alone at the close of the day.
News of salvation we carried; said he
“Nobody ever has told it to me.”

Tell it again, tell it again!
Salvation’s story repeat o’er and o’er.
‘Til none can say of the children of men
Nobody ever has told me before.

I heard this song when I was in the primary division of Sabbath school. It made me so sad to think of a young boy dying alone that I actually cried as I memorized the song. And what was a gypsy? “They’re not thieves or trouble-makers,” my Mom said. “They’re travelers. They’ll do any kind of work to trade for food or clothing. They’re good people.” Then she told me more about the gypsies, how she remembered loading them with food from the garden as well as bread and other foods. In exchange, they’d pull weeds or wash off the sidewalk or pick corn from the cornpatch. Or they’d trade precious stones or even horses they had with them. Then they’d disappear.

Later I learned they like to be called “Romas” or “Romanis” instead of “gypsies,” and came from India originally, not from Egypt as many assumed and is the reason they were called “gypsies.” They love music and their tunes have influenced famous composers such as Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahams. But apparently because of their nomadic lifestyle and haunting appearance, they have faced prejudice and racial hatred through centuries and are just now settling into modern culture. There are about a million gypsies in the U.S. today, and ten million worldwide, according to estimates by Romani groups.

What are we doing to tell the story of Jesus to gypsies today? Or are “people like that” beyond our reach? How far should our desire to reach others extend?

[Thought Questions for Every Member Ministry April 10, 2012]

1. A pastor for gypsies. The above story calls for an answer. Why doesn’t the General Conference Sabbath school department set up a special set of programs just for gypsies? Or couldn’t we just choose a pastor to be the “minister to the Romas?” Ah, that’s the answer. Pastors know more than we do about winning new members. If there are gypsies in your city, town, or neighborhood, and there probably are, why not set up a friend-to-friend evangelistic program just for them and put your pastor in charge of it? Your pastor is already too busy? And he’s not a gypsy. Then what about you? Just a thought.

2. All of us priests. What does the “priesthood of believers” mean? In the Old Testament, weren’t there specific tasks and honors accorded to the priests but to no one else? What changed from the days of the sacrifices and temple service to the days of an every-member priesthood? Does the pastor of your church have responsibilities no one else can share? Is the pastor a modern priest? Do you agree with the lesson that the priesthood we share stems from and only from our relationship with God? Do you feel qualified, personally, to be a priest in God’s gospel movement?

3. Ministry and talent. Does the pastor of your church have more talent than most other members? What about those other members? What role does talent play in their ministry? Have you ever been especially blessed by a musical presentation and thanked the persons involved for their ministry in music? What about the crippled elderly woman who is carried with her wheelchair into the sanctuary every Sabbath? Does her presence offer a ministry? Paul says we should be equipped for ministry. By whom? Are you willing to use your talents of time, of friendship, of money, of speaking, or any other gifts bestowed on you by God to reach others with His eternal message of love, acceptance, and redemption?

4. No Job shortage. We’re slowly coming out of a recession here in the USA, which means the job market is improving, and more people are employed. In God’s economy is there ever a case of unemployment with people wanting to work but not able to find a job? Or are there more jobs in God’s economy than there are people willing to do the work? Can you share an example of planting a seed to bring people to a saving relationship with Jesus? What new doors do electronic means of communication open for us to reach others? Do people ever go to work for God and end up doing a bad job of it? What went wrong?

5. Individuals together. Do you believe in the power of small group Bible study in Sabbath school? Or are most classes in your church opportunities for the teacher to teach? Or do you even discuss the lesson in Sabbath school? Is your church growing? Is the conference where you worship scrambling to find more places for people to meet on Sabbath? If not, why not? Does your church have a strategy for growth and outreach? Do you support this strategy and look for ways to match your God-given talents with the needs? Why is it so hard for us to make friends with other Christians? Or is it?

6. Working with God. Imagine going to war, fighting a battle against 5,000 enemy troops, and you can choose only one person to go with you. Whom would you choose? Does going with God guarantee you’ll find success? Which is the worse extreme: Working alone to win others, or leaving it all up to God? What is an even better option than either of these? Is God willing to work with us sin-sick feeble human beings to accomplish the mightiest work of all Creation? How does the Holy Spirit help us have God’s spirit within us? What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us fulfill the opportunities surrounding us?

7. Reporting. Does your church provide for regular, factual reporting of evangelistic and friend-winning programs you carry out? If not, why not? What about publications prepared for members in conferences, in union conferences, and in the division-wide and worldwide church? Are they a type of God-ordained reporting? If you’ve decided to join the church, don’t you want to know what your church is doing around the world? Is it possible to be so modest about the work we do (“I don’t want to brag”) that our modesty interferes with sharing the Word of God with others?

8. Putting it together. Your lesson ends with four actions recommended for you to follow to participate fully in God-ordained evangelistic witnessing. What would happen if everyone in your church followed all four of these actions? Would it be possible to take the pastor out of his job of initiating every program you church undertakes because there would be too many ideas for him to handle? Would that be good news? Instead of looking for pastors who are good at thinking up programs, organizing them, and presenting them, how would the pastor’s job description change if the entire church was working on small and not-so-small projects for God’s kingdom?

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