ABSG Questions for Discussion: Evangelism and Witnessing as a Lifestyle

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, 24 April 2012

Evangelism and Witnessing as a Lifestyle

Should we practice what we preach or preach what we practice?

Silent Sermons

What are some ways in which we can identify a person (we do not know yet) as a Christian? What are some ways in which we can identify a person as an Adventist?
Are we justified in labeling some persons as a hypocrites, or can we only judge ourselves?
Are we justified in rejecting a message not practiced by the preacher, or should we overlook the life of the preacher and accept the message?

Having Compassion for People

How do we define “need” in I John 3:17 (“But if anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”)? Is it something necessary for good health or only to save life; to alleviate hunger, or only to prevent starvation? What kinds of clothes and education are "needs?"
Is compassion an action or an attitude?

Walking in Their Shoes

Should we attempt to give people (1) what they want? (2) what they think they need? or (3) What we know they need?
How far should we “do in Rome as the Romans do?” Would the church of today approve of Paul’s “compromising” principle?

A Hospitable Lifestyle

Do people listen more to a caring person than to an uncaring one? If so, is this justified?
Can we expect better responses to our witnessing from friends and family or from strangers? Give reasons for your answer.

Widening Your Friendship Circle

Why do we have to go out in search of lost sheep? Why don’t the lost come in search of truth?
Should Adventists have more non-Adventist friends than they do at present? If so, how can this be done?
What does it mean to be in the world but not of the world?

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.