ABCs of Obtaining Decisions

Acceptance

Belief

Confidence

Steps in Making Decisions

Information

Conviction

Desire

Action

How the Mind Works

Information: Accumulate facts about the decision to be made.

Adequate information is necessary, but there are two problems:

1. Information Overload

2. Programmed Non-response

“What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power
of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will.”
- Steps to Christ, p. 47

Overcoming Information Overload

Present testing truths gradually. If possible do not present three or four new truths back to back in the same week.

Visit people in their homes immediately after presentation of testing truths to answer any major questions.

Two Ways to Avoid Programmed Non-Response

● Make regular systematic appeals including hand-raising, kneeling, standing, and altar calls.
● Use response cards often.

Implanting Conviction

Clear information - Is this clear to you?

Important Points for Obtaining Decisions

Ask, “Is it clear that . . .?”

Help student to make a decision in every lesson

Show the benefits of the right action

 Always stress the blessing over the requirements of God

Show the consequences of wrong action

Show the expectation of the God who loves us

Lead students into a relationship with God

Reasons for Asking for Prompt Decisions

Truth is most clear when it is fresh in the memory.

Satan is working to lead the thoughts away.

Conviction may completely disappear if one is not bought to decision at the earliest period possible.

A decision may be turned in another direction or toward another church.

Relatives or members of other churches may confuse the issues or the truth in the mind.

Circumstances may place the student beyond your reach in a very short time.

Fanning the Flame of Desire

Inner peace as opposed to inner turmoil -John 14:27; Psalms 119:165

Receiving the Holy Spirit -Acts 5:32

True happiness -John 13:17

Heavenly home -Hebrews 11:24

Forgiveness of sins and freedom from guilt -Acts 2:37-39

Importance of Prayer in Bringing People to a Decision for Christ

“Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish.”- Ministry of Healing, p. 509

“It is a part of God’s plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would bestow did we not thus ask.”
- The Great Controversy, p. 525).

Prayer does four things:

Prayer puts us in touch with divine wisdom. - James 1:5

Prayer enables God to work more powerfully than if we did not pray. - Daniel 10

Prayer enables God to speak to us about sins in our lives which hinder successful soul winning

Prayer deepens our desire concerning the thing for which we are praying

“God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” - 1 Samuel 12:23

“Why do not two or three meet together and plead with God for the salvation of some special one, and then still
another.” -7 Testimonies, p. 21
Meeting Objections With Bible Verses

“I can’t leave my church.” Rev. 18:4; John 10:26, 27; 12:42, 43; Matt. 7:22, 23

“I can’t make a living if I keep the Sabbath.” Matt. 6:33; Ps. 37:3; Isa. 65:13,14.

“You require too much of people in your church.” 2 Cor. 8:9; Matt. 13:45, 46; Luke 14:33.

“I will lose my job if I keep the Sabbath.” Matt. 16:25, 26; I Tim. 4:8

“I can’t find a job with Sabbath off.” Matt. 6:30-33; Ps. 37:3, 25; Isa. 65:13, 14; 58:13, 14; 1:19,
20.

“It is inconvenient to keep the seventh day and follow this doctrine.” Matt. 16:24; 10:38

“I am too great a sinner.” 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 7:25; Isa. 1:18

“I am afraid I can’t hold out.” Jude 24

“I can’t live up to the truth.” 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 12:8, 9; John 1:12

“I am not good enough.” 2 Cor. 8:12

“People would talk about me.” John 17:14; Luke 6:22, 23, 26; Prov. 29:25

“I agree with all you teach except for one thing.” Matt. 19:16-22

“I am in business and Saturday is my best day. I will ruin my business if I close on Saturdays.”
Matt. 16:26; Ps. 37:16; Prov. 16:8; Mark 8:35; John 6:27; Isa. 56:2-5; Luke 12:19, 20

“My friends would ridicule me.” John 15:19; Mark 8:34; James 4:4.

“My husband, wife, father, mother, brothers, and sisters will oppose me.”
Matt. 10:36, 37; Luke 14:26, 27; Ps. 27:10; Isa. 41:10; Mark 10:29, 30.

“There are so few who keep Saturday. This way is so different from what the
majority believes and does.” Deut. 7:7; Ex. 23:2; Matt. 7:13, 14.

“My parents were good________. What was good enough for them is good enough for me
and besides, I have been greatly blessed in my present church.”
Rev. 18:4; John 10:26, 27; 12:42, 43; Acts 4:19; John 1:35-40.

“Keeping the seventh day was only for the Jews.” Mark 2:27; Gen. 2:3.

“I am afraid of new doctrines.” Gen. 2:1-3.

“We are living under the New Testament. Keeping the seventh day passed away with the old
covenant at the cross.” Heb. 8:20; 4:4-9; Acts 13: 14, 25.

“The law of the land has settled that Sunday is the day to keep. Acts 4:18-20; 5:28, 29.

“We can’t be sure that the seventh day which God has commanded is identical with the day
now called Saturday.”
Luke 23:56; (The testimony of history, astronomy, the calendar, and the witness of the Jews.)

“Sunday seems right to me.” Prov. 16:25

“My minister and my friends advise me against this.” 1 Kings 13:1-26; Acts 4:19; 5:29.

“It doesn’t make any difference what day I keep; just so I keep a day.”
Exodus 20:8-11; Rom. 6:16; Leviticus 10:1, 2; Deut. 4:2.

“It will cause trouble and division in my home if I take my stand for this teaching.” Luke 12:49-
53; 1 Kings 18:17, 18.

“No, not now.” Prov. 27:1; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:13; Isa. 55:6; Gen. 6:3.

“I am waiting for my husband (or wife, or friend) so we can accept it together.”

Eze. 14:20; 18:20; Rom. 14:12.

“There is one thing (movies, jewelry, tobacco, pork, caffeine, etc.) that I cannot give up.”
Matt. 19:16-22; 6:24; Luke 14:33; Matt. 13:45, 46; 1 John 5:4; 2 Cor. 5:17; Phil. 4:13.