ABSG Questions for Discussion: Sabbath, 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, 9 March 2013

Sabbath, a Gift From God

Creation and the Seventh-day Sabbath

Why do you think God preferred as a commemoration of creation an invisible memorial in time rather than a concrete monument?
What does it matter if the Sabbath is in the beginning, middle, or end of the week?

The Rich Meaning of Sabbath Rest

Does the reason for Sabbath observance in Dt 5 (deliverance from slavery), imply that the Sabbath is only for Jews?
Is creation in seven days the only reason for Sabbath observance?

Jesus and the Sabbath

Is cooking food on the Sabbath the same as picking grain? What do you think Jesus would say about that?
What are some examples of "doing good on the Sabbath?"
What would you advise for a church that wrote to me recently? A member had been assigned by the government for election duty on Sabbath and given no option to withdraw. He complied and resigned as church elder. What should they do next? Is it all right to vote on Sabbath?

Sabbath and the Last Days

Is it possible for an evolutionist to believe In the the first advent or the second advent of Jesus?
Why do scoffers reject events in the past and future that they have not experienced in the present?

A Psalm for the Sabbath

Ps 92 is labelled a psalm for the Sabbath: Do you think the occurrence of Yahweh seven times in the psalm is deliberate or coincidental?
Why do you think psalm omits any reference to the Sabbath? If you had to compose a psalm on the Sabbath what would it contain?
The psalm has fifteen verses: two sets of seven separated by a center that proclaims "But you O Lord reign forever." Each verse has two lines except the middle one which has only a single line, and the ones immediately before and after which have three lines. Do you think this is intentional or not? Why do you think so?

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.