12: The Harvest and the Harvesters – Lesson Plan
Key Thought : Spiritual gifts are given for nurture and outreach. The question we have is what are my gifts and how can I use them?
[Lesson plan for The Harvest and the Harvesters March 17, 2014]
1. Have a volunteer read John 4:28-30.
a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. Why would the woman at the well go tell everyone in town that Jesus knew all about her sinful life? Share your thoughts.
c. Personal Application: Do you still have that urgency, enthusiasm, and zeal to share Jesus and His truth with others that you had when first converted? Why or why not? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “What kind of people are more open to God’s truth: The rich and powerful, the middle class, or the poor? Why did Jesus seem to gravitate toward the common people?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Luke 24:47-55.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. Why was waiting for the Holy Spirit important for the disciples in witnessing to and reaching the multitudes?
c. Personal Application: Can you think of a time when you went ahead of God and didn’t wait for His guidance and blessing in trying to share, witness, or do something? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “How does your church balance its focus on outreach and witnessing activities with its need for inreach and ministering to the needs of its members?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
3. 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. How does the church get more laborers in the harvest? Just by praying for them? By making converts and discipling them? By church sponsored training seminars?
c. Personal Application: Is it more important for the church to be concerned about soul-winning or to take care of the needs of its members? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “You can’t harvest without sowing seed, cultivating, and watering first. What programs and activities do you have that help prepare a harvest in your church? What activities do you feel you are called to be a part of?” How would you respond to your friend?
4. Have a volunteer read Luke 15:2-6.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why does it seem that we are caught up by titles and authority, even in the church?
c. Personal Application: Is it easier to reach those that used to be in church, but left; or those who never knew the truth? 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.