ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 13 (June 22-28), Lest We Forget (Malachi)

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.

Monday, 24 June 2013

Lesson 13 (June 22-28), Lest We Forget (Malachi)

Great is the Lord

Is it worse to bring diseased animals for sacrifice or to place damaged currency notes in the offering in church?
Is reverence inward or outward? What might be examples of inward and/or outward irreverence? Which one influences which?

Loving and Respecting Others

Can partiality ever be justified? Why or why not?
Does God’s declaration “that He will not pay attention to our offerings if we are guilty of divorce,” still hold true? When God declares that He “hates divorce,”what does he mean? Is He against divorce in all circumstances?

Tithe in the Storehouse

Which is the storehouse? Is it all right for a person living in one country to send their tithes to a church in another?
Can one donate their tithes to support church construction?

A Scroll of Remembrance

Of what benefit can it be for those who "fear the Lord," to form an association? How can they control membership? How will they know who fears the Lord?
Why does God allow the evildoers to prosper in the present when He can prevent that from happening?

The Sun of Righteousness

Who is this “Elijah” who will appear before the second coming? Has he already come or is that in the future still?
Why are the righteous described by Malachi as those who revere God’s name? Is that the only criteria or the most important criteria for salvation? Why didn’t Malachi describe them as those who obey God?

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.