11: Let the Church Know – Teaching Plan
Key Thought : Reporting on our witnessing efforts helps to encourage others, plan for the future, and glorify God in what He has done through us.
[Teaching plan for Let the Church Know June 11, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read Acts 4:13,14,23.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is it important to share our witnessing experiences with the church?.
C. Personal Application: How important is Scripture in your life? How much time do you spend with it?
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I know people like to report successful experiences with the church, but how should we deal with witnessing that doesn’t seem to go so well? Should our bad experiences and failures be reported as well?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Acts 21:19-25.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does reporting of results of witnessing efforts help the church to glorify God?
C. Personal Application: What are some of the struggles as how to best reach souls particular to your church? Has there been disagreement as to how to proceed? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Your church claims to be a worldwide church. Is there any group of people that your church doesn’t focus on enough or seems to be excluding because of cultural or traditional behaviors?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Acts 11:16-18.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is the act of reporting important for future efforts in evangelism and witnessing?
C. Personal Application: Do we as a church tend to be more inclusive or exclusive in our relationship to those outside of our church tradition or culture? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “What about people who are naturally shy or introverted? How are they supposed to share the gospel and not just walk the walk, but also talk the talk?” How do you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Numbers 13:30-33.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How do we stay positive and live by faith in facing challenges in our lives without being presumptuous and doing unwise and rash things?
C. Personal Application: Is it hard to stay positive when we see the giants of adversity against us in trying to “take the land” for the Lord? Share.
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)
