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Study 04 of 8

Prayer, Joy, and Enthusiasm

Prayer, shared joy, genuine enthusiasm, and leading with privilege before responsibility together sustain a motivated, witnessing church.

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Having grounded motivation in love and truth, the booklet turns to four practical secrets. Secret 3, prayer, insists that God Himself is the best motivator, and leaders should daily ask Him to move specific individuals, encouraging each member to pray, 'Who today, Lord?' Secret 4 calls leaders to harness the contagious power of shared testimony: when one member's joy in witnessing is told, especially by an ordinary or new believer rather than a paid pastor, fear-driven excuses like 'no one will listen to me' begin to dissolve in others. Secret 5 is simply enthusiasm, summarized in the line that success is proportional to 'the enthusiasm and perseverance with which the work is carried forward,' and the reminder that members will not catch fire from leaders who are not themselves excited. Secret 6 teaches a memorable balance: stress the 'privilege' of witnessing first, and the 'responsibility' second, following God's own pattern of leading with good news before addressing consequences, as seen in the Three Angels' Messages.

Key points

  • God is the best motivator; leaders should pray daily for specific individuals and teach members to pray, 'Who today, Lord?'
  • A witnessing story told by an ordinary or new member motivates others more than one told by a paid pastor.
  • 'It is attitude that determines your altitude' — leaders' own enthusiasm sets the ceiling for members' enthusiasm.
  • Good 'PR' means leading with 'Privilege' before 'Responsibility,' following the pattern of the Three Angels' Messages.

Key texts

  • Matthew 9:37-38
  • Luke 1:37
  • Revelation 14:6-11

From the course book

Secrets 3-6 · pp. 14-16 · Open the reader

  • “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.” (p. 14)
  • “A witnessing story told by an inexperienced new or older member is much more effective in motivating others than one told by a paid pastor.” (p. 14)
  • “In proportion to the enthusiasm and perseverance with which the work is carried forward will be the success given.” (p. 15)
  • “Begin with the privilege of witnessing and then share the responsibility of doing so.” (p. 16)

Put it into practice

  • Begin praying daily, 'Who today, Lord?' and act on whoever comes to mind.
  • Invite one member, especially a new believer, to share a brief witnessing story during Sabbath School or worship service.
  • Examine your own enthusiasm as a leader, since members will not get excited if the leader is not excited.
  • When appealing to a member or group, practice stating the privilege of witnessing before mentioning the responsibility.
  1. Comprehension

    1. What prayer does the booklet suggest members pray daily as part of Secret 3?

  2. Scripture

    2. Read Matthew 9:37-38, which lies behind the quote on page 14. What does Jesus instruct His disciples to pray for?

  3. Doctrinal Clarity

    3. Why does the booklet say a story told by an inexperienced new or older member motivates others more than one told by a paid pastor?

  4. Contrast

    4. Contrast beginning an appeal with 'responsibility' versus beginning with 'privilege,' as taught in Secret 6.

  5. Comprehension

    5. What single-sentence principle does the booklet give for Secret 5, Be enthusiastic?

  6. Scripture

    6. According to the booklet, what does the Three Angels' Messages pattern (Revelation 14) illustrate about God's approach to warning and appeal?

  7. Doctrinal Clarity

    7. What acronym does the booklet use to summarize Secret 6, and what do its letters stand for?

  8. Application

    8. Which of these four secrets — prayer, shared joy, enthusiasm, or privilege-before-responsibility — do you most need to practice as a leader or member this month, and how will you apply it?