ABSG Questions for Discussion: Marriage, A Gift from God

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.

Saturday, 23 February 2013

Marriage, A Gift from God

Do animals also enjoy the gift of marriage or is the gift restricted to humans?

Lo Tov (Not Good)

Why do you think God did not create Eve at the same time as Adam, like He did for the animals?
Are those who remain single for life not fulfilling God's purpose?
Why did God have Adam name the animals? Is there any significance in Adam naming Eve?

A Companion for Adam

Was there any difference in Adam before the rib was removed and after? Was the rib literal or symbolic or both?
What is it that attracts one male to a particular female more than to others?

Ideal Marriage

Why are so many marriages failing? What are the most important factors that keep a couple together? Is it Christianity?
If a spouse is not getting along with the parents-in-law, who comes first and why?
Why does the Bible have a poem on the ideal wife (Prov 31), and not for the ideal husband?

Protecting What's Precious

How important to a happy marriage is virginity at the time of the wedding?
What was Jesus' attitude to adulterers, and to adultery?
What are the important factors in restoring a relationship marred by adultery?

Marriage as a Metaphor for the Church

In the Bible which is more serious, the unfaithfulness of a woman or that of a man? Why do you think this is so?
Does God expect us to love Him like we love a spouse?

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.