ABSG Questions for Discussion: In the Beginning

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, 12 January 2012

In the Beginning

Do you feel it is unscholarly to believe in creation?

Creation Week

1. If the creation week can be divided into 3 days of removing the “without form” status of the earth and 3 days of solving the “void” status, how does the creation of vegetation on the third day fit in? Is a land with plenty vegetation but no fauna full or empty?

2. Is the “week” of creation flexible?

The Heart of the Creator

1. Do animal and birds mothers “love” their young, or function out of instinct? Does your answer affect the lesson – that the creator loves creation?

2. Can evolution account for the existence of love?

The Heavens Declare

1. When you observe nature do you see order or disorder? How well are the laws of nature followed?

2. Why did sin of humans affect nature?

The Cross and Creation

1. Which do you consider more difficult, creating or redeeming?

2. Why would a God permit what he had created to go astray? Why would he then try to save his creation?

3. Can there be a cross without creation? Does the fact that God died for us “prove” or at least “suggest” that he created us?

Creation and Re-creation

1. Is a belief in evolution compatible with a belief in the new earth?

2. If you were God would you take millions of years to create or recreate the earth? What does it matter to a God for whom time has no meaning?

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.