ABSG Questions for Discussion: Final Events

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.

Sunday, 26 August 2012

Final Events

What does Paul mean in the memory text –that believers are creatures of the daytime and should therefore be prepared for the second coming? What if Jesus comes at night?

The Sides of the Judgement

How did God temper His “sentences” on Adam, Eve, and Cain with mercy in each case? Why do you think He did that?
How can you account for the fact that the psalmists invariably eagerly anticipate the judgement, while most Christians dread it?

Sudden and Unexpected

Why would God want to come unexpected? Why not announce the time and have everybody ready?
How can the second coming be accompanied by shouts and trumpet calls and still be like a “thief in the night?”

The Believer’s Advantage

What is “darkness?” Why is it a negative image? Did God create darkness?
Why is light a symbol of truth?

Constant Watchfulness

What makes “sleep” a negative image? When is it right to sleep, and when is it wrong, and why?
Are some people more prone to wakefulness at night? Should we examine prospective watchmen to check their ability to stay awake at night? To what extent can body clocks be reset?

Encourage One Another

How does belief in Christ change one’s attitude to the judgement?
Are unbelievers afraid of the judgement? Why or why not?

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.