ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 3 (July 13-19), The Word: The Foundation of Revival

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, 13 July 2013

Lesson 3 (July 13-19), The Word: The Foundation of Revival

Why do we use King James English for communicating with God?

Is daily Bible reading necessary for going to heaven?

Revived Through the Word

How useful is the chapter-a-day method of Bible reading?
Why is it difficult to form the habit of regular Bible reading despite good intentions?
Can a person love the Bible without reading it regularly?

The Word’s Creative Power

How is the Bible like a two-edged sword? Is it intended to hurt?
What are some wrong ways to read the Bible?

Jesus and the Word

Why is Jesus termed the “Word”?
Does calling Jesus the “Word of God” make him inferior to the Father?
Does Jesus’ humanity make him inferior to the Father?

Revival Faith and the Word

What can a person do to develop faith?
If we cannot move mountains does it mean that we have no faith at all?
Since we don’t expect to move mountains, practically what does faith accomplish?

The Word: Revival’s guardian and Safeguard

Is a person’s revival false if he or she is not following all the doctrines of the Bible? Can a preacher who is not practicing Sabbath-keeping lead in a genuine revival?
How can one judge if revival is genuine or not?

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.