ABSG Questions for Discussion: Worship in the Early Church

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.

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Worship in the Early Church

Is the apostolic church the correct model for the form of worship today? (Wasn’t the church in that era evangelistic?) Is there an ideal format for worship or does the ideal change according to time and location? How much has the format of Adventist worship adjusted to situation?

Many Proofs

1. The personality of the disciples at Pentecost was a far cry from that which they displayed at the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. What were reasons that contributed to this drastic change in them?

2. Observe the women and the disciples at the tomb: Why were they so slow to comprehend that Jesus had risen from the dead?

3. Even after the disciples accepted the fact of the risen Savior, why was there no attempt to preach till Pentecost weeks later?

The Preaching of the Word

1. Why is it that in many parts of the world public evangelism is giving way to personal evangelism? Are we missing anything because of this?

2. Why do many members prefer the conversational style of preaching to the “evangelistic” style?

3. Can we and should we have the “Spirit” of Pentecost in our worship services?

4. Do we have anything to learn from the worship of Pentecostals?

Paul on Mars Hill

1. How appropriate is it to quote uninspired sources in sermons?

2. How wise or unwise is it to use illustrations from non-Christian mythology?

3. Paul used logic and reason but did not have much success. Why does emotional appeal often bring more results than logic and reason?

Worship Contrary to the Law

1. Was it necessary for Christianity to be a new religion? Could it have dovetailed Judaism?

2. When is it necessary for an “offshoot” to separate?

3. Why were the Jews so blind to see Christ as the fulfillment of all they were hoping for?

Love Conquers All

1. What is the relationship between love and worship? Does my dislike for anyone in the church affect my worship?

2. How do others come into the picture of worship which is between you and God?

3. Jesus instruct hearers (Matt 5:23) to leave their gifts and make things right with persons who had aught against them before proceeding with giving their offering. Does that apply only to the giving of offerings or even to other aspects of worship?

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.