ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 8 (August 17-23), Discernment: The safeguard 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, 17 August 2013

Lesson 8 (August 17-23), Discernment: The safeguard of Revival.

God's Will and His Word

Can new true revelation ever go against what is in the Bible? In the judgement will it be always safe to defend our beliefs and practices by telling God "I read it in the Bible" ?
Is the Bible enough or do we need more?

God's Love and His Law

What was the sin of the five foolish virgins? Why would Jesus tell them "I don't know you when they were waiting for him to come?"
Why did God reject the rich young ruler who had kept the law all his life? If we are in the same boat how can we correct the situation?

Formalism, Fanaticism, and Faith

On a scale of 1-10 between formalism/tradition and fanaticism/excitement where would you place Adventists?
Which would you consider more difficult and why, to convert a Pentecostal to Adventism or to convert an Adventist to Pentecostalism?

Ministry and Miracles

Can true miracles be experienced in a church or person who is not following all the teachings of the Bible? Is the presence of genuine miracles in a church evidence that it is the true church?
Why did Jesus perform miracles? How many were converted because they witnessed miracles?
Are there miracles among Adventists today? what do we need to experience more? Can we say today to people "In the name of Jesus, be healed?"

Fruits and Gifts

Are gifts of the Spirit given at birth or later in life?
Are some people given more gifts? If so, is that fair? Would you rather have one or ten? Why?
Why are fruit of the Spirit - love joy, peace, patience, etc., fruit and not gifts?

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.