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Commentary on "Sequential Evangelism and Witnessing"
Day 5: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 - Measuring Spiritual Growth
I have read and written responses to many Sabbath School lessons as part of this effort. I have responded to multiple lessons on the Law in general and the Sabbath in particular. I don't believe that a single one of those lessons troubled me half as much as today's lesson. And there are so many issues that I hardly know where to start. So I'll start at the title, "Measuring Spiritual Growth."
How does Scripture say that we will recognize Spiritual growth in ourselves and others:
John 13:34-35: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Gal 5:18-26: But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one.
James 1:2-4: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Do you see anything about quizzing the person to measure their spiritual growth? Can you find any verses in Scripture where people were quizzed about their knowledge or, or reaction to, doctrine as a means of determining their spiritual growth? I don't. People might be asked if they had received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2), but this is quite different than the questions proposed by this lesson.
Which brings us to issue number 2; what do SDAs consider indicators of spiritual growth? SDAs want to see that their intended evangelism targets have both an intellectual understanding of the "testing truth" doctrines and that they have integrated these truths into their behaviors. How similar is this to the Bible verses cited above? Not in the least bit similar. But what do SDAs focus on, "What changes do you think you need to make in your life?"
But issue number 3 is what raises my ire the most with this lesson—the manipulative use of questions. Where is the example for these types of questions you might ask. These don't come from Scriptural examples, these are sales techniques. Anyone who has attended sales training courses should recognize the approach. Ask open ended, but leading questions. Ask questions in such a way that the prospect is led, step by step, through their own replies right into your sales questions. This type of emotional manipulation has no place in the work of God. Even worse, the lesson tries to pass this approach off as Scriptural:
"Look up the following verses and consider why a God who knows everything would ask such questions. "
The obvious implication is that God was using questions to encourage Spiritual growth and so should we. What this misses is God asks questions because He desires us to be in relationship with Him. A relationship involves communication and God is encouraging that communication through questions.
Copyright 2012 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised April 25, 2012. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Camp Verde, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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