ABSG Questions for Discussion: Through a Glass, Darkly

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, 9 February 2013

Through a Glass, Darkly

Job's friends illustrated from nature that life had order and justice. Job argued that creatures would deny that life had order and justice. Who was right? Would creatures state that God/life was just or unjust?

The Earth is the Lord's

What claim does Satan have to this earth? If any, how valid is that?
Who has a stronger claim to ownership of this earth, God, for creating us, or Satan because we humans choose to side with him?

A Fallen World

Was God's curse on this earth active or passive? Did God wreak havoc on the earth or did He just allow sin to take it's effect?
Can Satan do what he wants on this earth or is he restricted in any way by God?
How involved was God in landscaping the earth after the flood? Did He merely allow things to grow as they happened to, or did He supervise regrowth?
What remnants of God's handiwork in nature survive?

The Ruler of This World

If as the book of Job suggests, Satan was the representative of this earth, how much access did God have to this earth and its creatures?
After the cross, did God reclaim any further control of this earth? Why did God not resume full control of this world then?
Does Satan have power to heal?

The "Wisdom" of the World

What is the difference between knowledge, understanding, and wisdom?
If there is a geo-scientific explanation for some miracles of the Bible, such as the sun standing still, the parting of the Red Sea and that of the Jordan, would that render those events as non-miraculous?

Through the Eye of Faith

Can faith heal? Can doubt prevent one from getting well even though one takes the same treatment as that which makes another well? Do placebos work? Why or why not?
To what extent can we rely on faith and at what point does one need some evidence before committing one's self?

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.