ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 1 (Sept 28-Oct4), The Heavenly Sanctuary

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.

Sunday, 29 September 2013

Lesson 1 (Sept 28-Oct4), The Heavenly Sanctuary

Which existed first, the earthly sanctuary or the heavenly? Does the earthly help us understand the heavenly or vice versa?

God's Residence

How can God be a person and be omnipresent at the same time? What do we mean by omnipresent? Is God a physical being or a spirit or both?
Why does God need a dwelling place?

Throne Room

Does God have a throne and a room for it, or is it symbolic?
What do we imagine goes on in God's throne room?
How does God rule over the universe from heaven?

Worship in Heaven

Why does God want everyone to worship Him and praise Him? Why does God need so many creatures in heaven?
Should our worship imitate that of the living creatures, the twenty four elders, and all the angels? Should our worship on earth be like that in heaven?
How did the earthly sanctuary help humans to understand what worship was about? Did the forms of the earthly sanctuary interfere in any way with true worship? If so, how? why would God introduce forms that deteriorate into formality?

Courtroom

Are there different rooms in heaven for different functions?
Has God been a judge from the beginning or is that only for the end of time?
Why do people question God's justice?

Place of Salvation

What kind of picture of God does the Old Testament give? Does the Old testament teach love, mercy, and grace? If so, how?
Does our salvation occupy all of God's time? Is salvation confined to a location in heaven or is all of heaven involved?

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.