ABSG Questions for Discussion: The Dead in Christ

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, 21 August 2012

The Dead in Christ

The Situation in Thessalonica

Is it better to die before the time of trouble or to live till the second coming?
What authority does Paul have to correct false doctrines?

Hopeless Grief

Would you rather go to heaven immediately after death or wait till the resurrection? If you knew that your loved one had gone to heaven would you still grieve?
How much time is needed to teach new believers all the doctrines necessary?
Why do we recall only the good things about a person at his/her death, and thus increase our grief?

Dying and Rising

How many Biblical words can you think of in the metaphor of sleep for death? (wake, rise, etc.) Would “coma” be a better metaphor?
How are the responses of the disciples, the priests, the Romans, to the reported resurrection of Jesus convincing of the event?

Rising in Christ

How can Paul know what Jesus taught if the gospels didn’t record it?
Why do you think Paul emphasizes the thunderous noise at the second advent – shout, voice of the archangel, trumpet— that no other Bible writer does?

Comfort One Another

When Paul asserts that we will be in the air forever with the Lord, does it conflict with what the other Bible writers teach?
Which would be more comforting (a) the Hindu doctrine of the transmigration of the soul, (b) the teaching of the immortality of the soul, or (c) the teaching of soul sleep till Jesus comes?

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.