ABSG Questions for Discussion: The Christian LIfe

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, 11 December 2012

The Christian LIfe

Stewardship

Is power over creation something that we have to be given, or is it something we can exercise by ourselves?
Why are we Indians less considerate of other people? We try to be first in line, first on the road, first to get benefits and opportunities, etc. Somebody tried to explain this as a tenet of Hinduism—help your own self. Is this true?

Tithe: A Mere Pittance

What would you think of someone who offered you a fortune, but asked for half back?
Does ten percent for tithe seem more to a rich person or to a poor person?
Is it all right to choose whom to give the tithe to: your home church in a different country, Mother Teresa’s society, a theology student, etc.?

The Responsibility to One’s Self

What does it mean to love your neighbour as yourself—How much should you love yourself?
What is the difference between love of self, and selfishness?

Christian Marriage

Why are humans charged with a different concept of marriage than animals?
Why do you think the Creator devised a method of procreation? How is that better than everlasting life for those created in the beginning?
When Jesus said “Let not man put asunder,” was he banning divorce?

Christian Behaviour

How much responsible as citizens are Adventists? What does it mean to be in the world, but not of the world? Should we get out of our walls more?
Earlier most Adventists desired their children to work for the “mission.” Why has the attitude changed and is it good or bad?

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.