ABSG Questions for Discussion: Justification by Faith Alone

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.

Monday, 17 October 2011

Justification by Faith Alone

The Question of Justification (Gal 2:15, 16)

1. Do we have second class citizens in the Adventist church / the local church? If so who are they and why are they second class?

2. Which would you prefer for a verdict in your case and why? (a) declared innocent, (b) found to be innocent, (c) found to have saving relationship with the judge?

Works of the Law (Gal 2:16)

1. What do you desire more from your pet doggie, love or obedience? Do you love your pet because it obeys you or because it is trying to obey you?

2. Is it possible for anyone to keep the law well enough to merit God’s favour?

The Basis of Our Justification

1. Is it legal to allow a person to be punished for another person’s wrongdoing?

2. What is the role of (a) grace, and (b) faith in our salvation? Can one come before the other or do they come together?

The Obedience of Faith

1. How is “faith” different from “belief”?

2. How does “faith” start?

Does Faith Promote Sin

1. Does the realization that you are not saved by keeping the law result in less keeping of the law, either because we are not on our toes all the time or because we don’t have to be?

2. If my relationship with Christ does not result in law keeping do I have to be worried about my relationship?

3. Are there different levels of faith (are some taller and some shorter)? Is it possible to have faith like Abraham (the father of those who have faith), or was he the very tallest and it is not necessary to be so tall?

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.