ABSG Questions for Discussion: Creation and the Gospel

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, 19 March 2013

Creation and the Gospel

Can a captive fall in love with a captor or is free will necessary for love?

Grace in the Garden

Does the provision of "grace" indicate an acceptance that the requirements were too tough? Why do you think God offered grace?
Were Adam and Eve justified in passing the buck? What was wrong in their responses to God when He confronted them in the garden? Why did God not question the devil?

Sin and Death

What will scientists have to accomplish in order to claim that they have brought matter to life? If scientists create a living cell, will that prove there is no God?
Why did God give humans the ability to take life but not make it?

While We Were Yet Sinners . . .

Were Adam and Eve less guilty because they were tricked by the devil? If Satan had not disguised himself, might Adam have not been fooled?
How important is an apology for forgiveness?
Is it possible for God to keep Himself from knowing the outcome of a test like the one He gave Adam and Eve, so that the choice is really open?

The Sin-bearing Substitute

To what extent can God take human sin upon Himself? How much like a sinner could Jesus have felt on the cross? At what point did Jesus assume our sin? On the cross or some time before that?
How much of a risk was it for Jesus to take our sins upon Himself? If Satan knew that Jesus was going to rise again, would he have given up? How much satisfaction could he have had from seeing Jesus abused?

A New Creation

What does it mean to have a new heart?
Does God have to be involved in a change of heart? Why or why not?
Is God ready to give us a new heart that is impervious to sin now itself or must we wait for heaven? Is it possible on this earth to reach a point where the same sin that hooked us so many times becomes not tempting any more, or even repulsive?

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.