ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 10 (June 1-7) First Things First (Haggai)

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.

Sunday, 2 June 2013

Lesson 10 (June 1-7) First Things First (Haggai)

Planting Much, Harvesting Little

Which takes priority, church building and repair or home building and repair?
Is poor harvests and failing businesses a result of spiritual deficiency?

God's Greatest Promise

If we lack spirit to tackle a huge job, what can we do about it?
Is a positive response to a message indication of how good a prophet's oratory was?

Do Not Fear

What made Solomon's temple truly glorious?
Why do things of the past (life, cities, colleges, weather, church) seem so much better than the present? Why do we not speak of the good current days?

The Desire of All Nations

How do we know that the "desire of all nations" is Jesus and not silver and gold?
If Herod rebuilt Zerubbabel's temple entirely (though part by part), how can it be the same temple? If you change the strap of a watch, then mhe case, the machine, is it the same watch in the end? What keeps you as you when all the cells are replaced over a period of time?

The Lord's Signet

What authority does a person given power of attorney have?
How would you like to he given God's seal to authorise whatever you want? what would you do?

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.