ABSG Questions for Discussion: The Antichrist

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, 19 September 2012

The Antichrist

The Problem

Why has the church in every age believed they were the last generation?
Why did Jesus have to wait so long to return to earth?
Why do people fall for rumours instead of checking things out for themselves?

Paul’s Short Answer

Why does God allow the Antichrist to come to deceive honest people? Could it be that some sincere people will be misled?
If the elect cannot be deceived, what will Satan get out of impersonating Christ?

The Restrainer

Who is responsible for the delay (if there is any) in Christ’s return, God, Satan, humans?
Does a delay bring in more people to the fold, or cause some to backslide, or both? What is gained by a delay?

The Antichrist

How can we communicate our teaching to Catholics on the antichrist?
Can Satan work miracles?

Truth and Lies

Why do people reject truth and accept lies?
Can and should God do more to unmask the work of Satan?
If God were to expose the work of Satan, would more people join His side?

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.