ABSG Questions for Discussion: The Church: Rites and Rituals

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, 28 November 2012

The Church: Rites and Rituals

Naming the Sacred Rites

Why do we have dedication and funeral services when the child or deceased cannot benefit from them?
Why are (child) dedication, marriage, and anointing not considered ordinances?

Baptism

Does it make any difference how a person is baptized (forward, backward, straight down), as long as the candidate is immersed?
What is the appropriate minimum age for baptism? Why do some cultures in India prefer to wait till the child is 17 or 18? Is it necessary to wait so long? Why are others anxious to have their children baptized at 12 or 13?

The Ordinance of Humility

Would it be more appropriate to polish a companion's shoes than to wash his/her feet in today's modern world?
Is it more important to wash another's feet or to have your feet washed?

The Lord's Supper

Is it really important what kind of bread and juice we use for communion as long as it has no yeast and is unfermented?
Can a child who understands the significance but who is yet unbaptised be permitted to participate in the Lord's Supper?

Anticipation of the Second Advent

Have we become like the Jews stressing the past event more than the future?
Should Adventists be more joyful during communion services, especially since they are to remind us of the second advent, or would that be wrong?

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.