ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 5 Seek The Lord and Live (Amos)

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, 27 April 2013

Lesson 5 Seek The Lord and Live (Amos)

Hate Evil, Love Good

Which is worse to pay a bribe or to accept one?
Which would you rather be, the oppressor or the oppressed?
Why is God not concerned when the rich are cheated?
How can we know if one is unjustly oppressed or if the treatment is justified?

Religion as Usual

How can I know if my worship is genuine or fake?
What makes worship fake?
Is fake prayer and praise worse than no prayer and praise? Why or why not?

Called to be Prophet

Why is society reluctant to accept a live person as a prophet?
Why are some prophets reluctant to claim to be a prophet? Why did Amos say he was not a prophet when he was one? Why did Ellen White say "I do not claim to be a prophet?"
How easy is it to rebuke someone? Why did Nathan start condemning David with a parable about a sheep?

The Worst Type of Famine

Does God really withhold himself from a people or is it just that they close themselves to Him?
If a person is sincerely seeking God, won't God be happy to make Himself known?
Is it possible to reverse the unpardonable sin: the grieving away of the Holy Spirit?

Judah's Ruins Restored

Has Israel as a nation been rejected forever? Can they be God's chosen nation again?
When a prophecy is not fulfilled how may one know that it was conditional and not a false prophecy?
On what basis can one say that it was fulfilled but in a different way, maybe again and again? On what basis can one say "yes, this is what the prophet was talking about?"

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.