TWO recent experiments in applying discussion techniques to public evangelistic meetings have convinced us that certain suggestions in Ellen G. White's writings are workable both overseas and here in the United States. Two of the Spirit of Prophecy references that were used as the key to the application of such techniques are the following:
There is danger of passing too rapidly from point to point. Give short lessons, and often. . . . After you have opened to the people the precious mines of truth, there is yet a great work to be done for those who have become interested in the subjects presented. After a short discourse, change the order of the exercises, and give opportunity for all who desire it to remain for an afterinterview, or Bible class, where they can ask questions upon subjects that trouble them. You will find great success in coming close to the people in these Bible lessons. The workers who labor in connection with the minister should make special efforts patiently and kindlv to lead inquirers to an understanding of the truth.—Evangelism, p. 152.
Whenever practicable, every important discourse should be followed by a Bible study. Here the points that have been presented can be applied, questions can be asked, and right ideas inculcated. More time should be devoted to patiently educating the people, giving them opportunity to express themselves.—Gospel Workers, pp. 405, 406.
Studying these and related references in the light of what we had learned in Dr. Beaven's discussion class at the Seminary led us to experiment with such techniques in a nine-month campaign conducted in the evangelistic center in Osaka, Japan, and in a student effort conducted last year in Petaluma, California.
Conducting the meetings three nights a week—Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday nights—we would concentrate on one basic topic for the week and cover it thoroughly in the following way:
Sunday nights—Evangelistic lecture followed by discussion groups. These groups organized in classes of from 12 to 20 distributed throughout the auditorium as is usually done with Sabbath school classes.
Wednesday nights—Informal Bible classes with the audience participating by reading scriptures and asking questions.
Friday nights—Panel discussions followed by audience participation. The response to these discussion techniques in our evangelistic work has been very encouraging, both on the part of the general public and our own church members.
Audience participation enables those attending to discover truth for themselves, thus making the work of the evangelist more effective. It enables us to become better acquainted with the people who are attending the meetings. And as pointed out in the Spirit of Prophecy references, it enables those attending to more thoroughly grasp the subjects under consideration than is possible in the preaching type of service.
We have also found that decision cards can be used most effectively with the smaller discussion groups on Sunday evenings. The personal touch of the discussion leader in these groups is probably the major factor that contributes to this.
It is, of course, not always possible to include the discussion groups on Sunday nights. This depends on the subject under consideration. Some subjects, obviously, need to be developed more thoroughly from the pulpit. On the other hand, we have found that some of the subjects, such as tithing, are easier to present and better received when the evangelist discusses the principles involved in his part of the presentation and the discussion groups deal with specifics and meet individual problems.
In Osaka the audience-participation phase of our panel discussions was made most effective by having two roving microphones on the floor of the auditorium so that all could hear and understand the questions.. In Petaluma questions were written out on slips of paper and read to the panelists by the discussion chairman. This last method enables us better to keep the discussion on the topic of the night and gives us opportunity to arouse interest in the future meetings when the questions not answered are to be considered.
