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.
(5)
Ans to Qn 3D
The activities members can be exposed to in sowing before harvesting are the following: encourage members to have rich devotional life of Studying the Holy Scripture, be the Doer of the Word (walk in spirit same as walking in love, dying to self, and hating evil) and Prayer. This will enable them to grow in the Grace, and experiencing God's love, His goodness, faithfulness and Power members would not afford keeping it to themselves but Sharing it all around at home, in Sabbath School Class, at work place, etc. Equiping them for outreach ministry can begin in the application of Sabbath School lesson study: exp. how many people one had bible studies with during the week, how many people pray for someone and how many people showed hospitality to someone during the week? Also involvement in Church activities and members going into the community to share literature books and tracts listing various services and activities the Church offers and registrying those who want any of the services(bible studies,prayers, foodbank pantry, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, clothings, job training, Church service etc). Seminars and Crusades can be organised and encouraging members for effective participation; sending out tracts to invite guests for the seminar etc. Again members should be offered outreach training, workshops etc. Finally, members can be assigned for duties to serve the Master in our Meetings ans Services in the Gospel field when they have been prepared.
As harvesters we have a wealthy experience with the moving of God's Spirit in our lives. It's contagious when shared with others. We also have the unifying power of the Spirit, which attracts and draws many to Christ. All who belong to Jesus are called to be harvesters in one way or another. We can't be afraid of those who aren't "like us" when we get involved in the work of harvesting souls. Jesus crossed every boundary known to man including race, gender, nationality, economic class, social hierarchy and even religious culture. As His workers, in His vineyard, shouldn't we do the same?