ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 4 (July 20-26) Witness and Service: The Fruit 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, 20 July 2013

Lesson 4 (July 20-26) Witness and Service: The Fruit of Revival

Can a person witness without having experienced a revival?

Christ's Parting Commission and Promise

Did Jesus intend to set up an organization? Why didn't He appoint officers to carry on his mission?
Are we closer to completing the gospel commission than the disciples were?
How much should a person know in order to be baptized?

Receiving the Promise

Could the disciples have finished spreading the gospel in their lifetime? Why didn't God tell them it would be thousands of years before He returned?
Why does God pour out the Holy Spirit in short spells? Why can't He give a downpour that will last long enough to finish the work faster?

The Power of Personal Testimony

Can a person be converted without the Spirit's involvement?
How can we know if we have received the Spirit?
What do we mean by personal testimony? Is being a good Christian enough witness?

A Witnessing Faith is a Growing Faith

Can one be saved who does not share the faith?
Is it necessary for faith to grow? If faith is not shared will it die?

Revival, Witnessing, and Divine Intervention

If one does't feel like witnessing is it an indication of deficiency of the Holy Spirit?
Should we force ourselves to witness or should it be inspired by the Spirit?

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.