In the past few decades church leaders have learned the value of group discussion. It is a scientific fact that the process of learning is greatly increased by a democratic discussion of a problem of general concern. By frank and free discussion the subject under consideration can be personalized in a practical manner when often the best prepared discourse may fail to reach the heart.
In our experience with several Schools of Prayer the discussion groups have proved to be one of the most popular features. Practical insights are gained and good conclusions are reached when earnest seekers discuss some of the real issues of Christianity.
The congregation is divided into four or five sections, depending upon how many are in attendance. Usually each group has from twenty to seventy members. However, the group dynamics are better when the number is small. Care must be exercised in making up the groups to be sure there are several persons in each section who are able to speak on a given topic and who will tend to encourage others to enter into the discussion. It is best to group persons according to their interests as far as possible. We have discovered, for example, that young people like to have their own group, as they tend to communicate more readily if among their peers. The elderly who find it rather difficult to walk or go up and down stairs are placed in the section meeting in the sanctuary.
The main reason for asking all to register for the School of Prayer is so that their names will be available when the groups are formed. Each group must have a leader, preferably one of the faculty, and a secretary who will make a two-minute report to the whole congregation when all reassemble to hear the conclusions each group has reached.
It has been our plan to mimeograph the name of each person alphabetically under the group he is to attend. Also the place where the section will meet is listed. The leader and subject is not mentioned before the whole congregation, thus preventing people moving from group to group because of special interests. The mimeographed list is handed to each person attending the school, which saves precious time that would be consumed in trying to organize from the pulpit. Those not listed are invited to attend any group they wish.
It is the task of the leader of the group to announce the topic to be discussed and give a few statements to act as thought provokers to encourage discussion. He is not to give an authoritative presentation on the subject. He is to encourage the group to discuss the topic. Ask questions that cannot be answered by Yes or No. Encourage people to talk. No one person should be allowed to dominate the group. Keep communication and discussion going. At the end it is wise for the leader to summarize and add any comment he thinks should be made. Be sure to appoint a secretary at the beginning of the discussion to give the report of the conclusions reached when the whole congregation reassembles.
Ten discussion questions we have used in our Schools of Prayer, plus some seed thoughts suggesting possible answers, are:
1. Why pray if God already knows our needs? Some excellent quotations and thoughts from the Spirit of Prophecy writings are to be found in the devotional guide Communion With God, Lesson 20.
2. How can one pray when he doesn't feel like praying? The Index to the Writings of E. G. White, volume 1, pages 793, 794, lists a number of causes for despondency, such as idleness, lack of appreciation, jealousy, overwork, reviewing past failure, too much leisure time, Satan's accusations, diseases and sickness, et cetera. We are all subject to depression, discouragement, and gloom as is illustrated in the experience of Elijah. We are counseled not to be ruled by feeling but by principle. Some choice quotations on "Feeling Not a Criterion" are to be found in Communion With God, Lesson 21.
3. When we pray how may we know what is or is not God's will? Testimonies, volume 5, page 512, suggests "three ways in which the Lord reveals His will to us." Other quotations are to be found in Communion With God, Lesson 39, under the subject "How May We Know God's Will?"
4. What is meant by agonizing in prayer? Two lessons, 34 and 35, are given in the devotional guide Communion With God on this subject. This should give excellent background material for a lively discussion.
5. Why does God delay answers to prayer? Turn to Communion With God, Lesson 27. Another excellent statement is the last paragraph in The Desire of Ages, page 200.
6. Does God change as a result of our prayers? See Hebrews 13:8, Ecclesiastes 3: 14, and James 1:17. "Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best"— The Ministry of Healing, p. 417. "Prayer is not primarily to get from God what a man wants, but rather to make man satisfied with what he has. It is not necessarily to relieve him from pain, but to give him grace to bear it; it is not to attempt to have God change His mind, but to have man accept God's mind. Prayer is not an endeavor to outline some plan of action for God to follow, but to ascertain what God's plan is and acquiesce in it; it is not to ask that God's will be changed, but that God's will be done. The chief aim of prayer is for the supplicant to come so completely into harmony with God that God's will becomes his."—M. L. ANDREASEN, Prayer, p. 49. (Read the whole chapter "Does God Change?" pages 47-52.)
7. I have prayed for many years without results. Why continue? Read Lesson 17 in Communion With God. A thrilling statement is to be found in Steps to Christ, page 96, second paragraph.
8. What is the real meaning of praying without ceasing? "Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God'—Steps to Christ, p. 98. "The Christian can not always be in the position of prayer, but his thoughts and desires can always be upward."—The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, on Prov. 4:23, p. 1157. How explicit are the Lord's instructions as to certain times to pray? In the night (The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 1026); before we rise in the morning (My Life Today, p. 15); when we rise (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 109); hourly (Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 48); in every difficulty (The Desire of Ages, p. 667); when discouraged (The Ministry of Healing, p. 513); about our work (Gospel Workers, p. 258); when tempted (The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 1135).
9. How can one get into the spirit of prayer? Some most practical suggestions are given in Communion With God, Lesson 41, "Getting Into the Spirit of Prayer." This would be a good topic for young people to discuss.
10. How may we be certain it is God who answers prayer? First, you will want to read the material in Communion With God, Lesson 50, "Counterfeit Answers to Prayer." We must remember that Satan can answer prayer. He gives impressions to those who pray according to their own inclinations regardless of God's will (Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 72). Our only safeguards against Satan: (1) Build ourselves in the faith (Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 297); (2) the presence of Jesus (The Desire of Ages, p. 341); (3) a correct understanding of the Scriptures vital (Evangelism, p. 249).
C. M. NI.
