ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 5 (July 27-August 2), Obedience: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, 27 July 2013

Lesson 5 (July 27-August 2), Obedience:The Fruit of Revival

The Transformed Life

At what point in his experience would you say Peter was transformed?
Can you identify transformation points for James and John?
Is it always possible to identify transformation points for each person? Do transformations have to be dramatic?

The High Cost of Obedience

Could Stephen have avoided his being stoned by wiser communication?
When threatened how much can we compromise to avoid persecution? Does the amount of compromise connect to the level of persecution?

When the Spirit Surprises

What made Saul think that God approved his persecuting the earliest Christians? How would he have felt to discover was the one wrong?
How would Ananias have known that Saul's conversion was genuine?
What did Saul have to learn from Ananias that he didn't learn from God during his encounter on the way to Damascus? Why did God send him to Ananias instead of one of the disciples

Sensitivity to the Spirit's Call

How did Paul's conversion experience help him to deal with others in his ministry?
Why do some accept the message, some reject it, and some hesitate? Is the failure to accept by a person sometimes the fault of the presenter of the message?

Spirit-led Obedience

What made it possible for Jesus to obey absolutely and completely?
Did Jesus have an advantage in obedience to God? Did Jesus use any advantage in obedience?
Is it possible for us to obey God completely and absolutely?
Can the Spirit transform us completely if we let Him? Why do people not allow the Spirit to transform them completely?

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.