ABSG Questions for Discussion: In Spirit and in Truth: Worship in the New Testament

Welcome

Many Sabbath School class teachers either preach a sermon to their class or deliver a monologue on the whole lesson, going through it "day-by-day." The most rewarding sessions involve the members in discussion. These questions here are intended to stimulate the active participation of the members in your class. Of course pertinent information imparted by the teacher is also very valuable, for which there are many resources in print and on the internet. This site seeks to provide a resource for discussions.

If you are a member and not a teacher and your class is boring, try asking questions such as these in your class.

Thursday, 8 September 2011

In Spirit and in Truth: Worship in the New Testament

The Song of Mary. Lk 1: 46-55

1. Do you think this praise was spontaneous response or composed carefully? Does it matter? Why is Mary singing? Why do we sing other people’s songs instead of composing our own?

2. How would I have responded to the announcement if I were in Mary’s place?

The Temptation. Lk 4:5-8

1. Satan wanted Jesus to “fall down –prostrate (in Hebrew)” and worship him. Jesus replied that we should (fall down prostrate in) worship only to God. Is this the correct posture for worship? Or is prostrate in attitude enough? What are the reasons for your answer.

2. Why did Jesus not take the easy solution to achieve what He wanted? What did He really want and would He have gotten it this way?

The Samaritan Woman. Jn 4:1-24

1. Was the Samaritan Woman a true worshipper?

2. What did Jesus accomplish by engaging her?

3. Since Mt Gerazim was where Abraham and Isaac built altars and where God proclaimed blessings, what makes a spot sacred at one time and ordinary at other times?

4. Is our church more sacred than our homes or offices? Is a dedicated church more sacred than one not dedicated? Why or why not?

5. Why do we go to church every Sabbath. Can’t we worship better in different nature.

True Worshippers.

1. Jesus said the hour “will come” and “has now come” when we would worship neither in Mt Gerazim or Jerusalem. When was that?

2. If the location or forms of worship are not important why do we retain the same form week after week? Should our worship be more spontaneous?

Who is Jesus

1. Why would some Christians deny that Jesus is God?

How would our worship be affected if Jesus is not God?

How to Teach a Sabbath School Class

1. Make a conscious decision that you will lead a discussion and not preach a sermon. Prepare accordingly and be alert for discussion opportunities. A discussion in which many participate is very rewarding.

2. You must have a page of freshly written notes. Don't waste people's time with inconsequential things just to occupy the time.

3. Sprinkle your notes with discussion questions and mark them out in bold. Any time you feel you are losing the attention of the members get them into another discussion. The discussion should be relevant to the lesson as well as to everyday life.

4. Start the lesson with a discussion question, or at the very latest within the next few sentences. If you wait for ten minutes and then try to generate a discussion it will be too late. The class will have tuned you out because you have tuned them out.

5. The opening question should be general enough so that even those who have not studied will be interested in contributing.

6. Avoid questions that can be answered by a single word. If someone answers with "yes/no" ask them to give reasons for their answer. If the answer is too short ask them to clarify or simplify the answer.

7. If a member asks a question, that is a golden opportunity for a discussion. Don't waste it by answering it too quickly. Throw the question back to the members for their opinion. You can give yours at the end.

8. Avoid childish questions such as "Which day is the Sabbath?" Members will not feel any need to answer it. Similarly do not pause in a sentence for the members to supply the last few words. That kind of participation is not a discussion. Members must contribute ideas and thoughts and not just words.

9. Avoid trick questions. Members will be embarrassed if you show them wrong and they will not answer the next time. Also avoid questions that will make it obvious whether or not they have studied the lesson. Those who have not studied should also feel urged to contribute.

10. You may sometimes present two views and ask the members to evaluate the views.