ABSG Questions for Discussion: Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles (for Sept 24-30)

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.

Saturday, 24 September 2011

Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles (for Sept 24-30)

Do God’s plans for our lives restrict our freedom?

Persecutor of Christians

1. What do you imagine Saul’s relationship to God was like while he was a persecutor?

2. How do you think God felt about Saul as He viewed the Pharisee’s sincerity in persecuting the early Christians?

3. At the stoning of Stephen why do you think Saul chose to stand by the clothes rather than participate in the throwing of stones?

Saul’s Conversion

1. What requires greater conviction, to be a persecutor or to be persecuted? How easy is it to change your opinion about something? How does it feel to suddenly realize you have been on the wrong side?

2. Why does God not use such extreme measures to convert people today as he used for Saul?

Saul in Damascus

1. How was inflicting Saul with blindness more appropriate than other things for example loss of hearing?

2. What qualities would God have desired in a person whom he could send to Saul?

3. Why do you think the record is silent on the effect of Saul’s conversion on his associates?

The Gospel Goes to the Gentiles

1. During persecution which is a better place to hide, a city or a wilderness?

2. Why do you think Saul changed his name? What challenges do you think Paul encountered as he began his ministry?

3. Which is more challenging, establishing a new church or preserving members in an established one?

Conflict Within the Church

1. Why do you think Jewish Christians were unhappy with gentiles joining the church?

2. Considering that all of them had been expelled from the synagogue why would Jewish Christians still insist on Gentile members adopting their customs?

3. Do those who have been in the church a long time have some right to preserve the “faith of our fathers?”

4. In conflict how can we be sure that we are on God’s side?

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.