ABSG Questions for Discussion: Keeping the Church Faithful

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.

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Keeping the Church Faithful

Is it possible for a church to be static or does it have to either grow or die?

Faithful by God’s Choice

If some who are “chosen” for salvation by do not end up being saved, what is the significance of being “chosen?”
What is the value of holding on to traditions? What are the dangers of hanging on to traditions?

Confidence in the Face of Evil

How much is Satan to blame for the wrong we do? How much are other people to blame? How much are we solely responsible for?
Would God prevent us from being tempted if we ask Him, or will He only strengthen us so that we need not yield to it? What is preferable?

Scripture and Tradition

Can you have a religion without scripture?
Which is more authoritative and why – written scripture or oral tradition passed on from the Master through his disciples?
Is it appropriate or inappropriate for a church administrator to be fed and taken care of by the local church and leaders? Why did Paul always insist on paying for the food he ate?

Working and Eating

What drives some people to be more interested in another person’s work more than in their own? For example when a couple is making a bed, do we notice wrinkles on the other person’s side more easily than on our own side? Do we notice the mote in another person’s eye quicker than we detect a beam in our own?
What tastes better, food that you have sweated for, or food that is provided free?

Tough Love

Why would someone come to church and yet be a rebel?
What could Paul mean when he advises members not to associate closely with such people?
What could Paul mean when he advises members to treat such a person as a brother or sister, and not an enemy?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of dis-fellowshipping a member in discipline? What are other ways a church can show its displeasure?

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.