ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 5 (Oct 26-Nov 1), Atonement: Purification Offering

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, 26 October 2013

Lesson 5 (Oct 26-Nov 1), Atonement: Purification Offering

Sin and Mercy

Does sin cause separation from God, or is it a result of separation from God? Why is the answer significant?
Why can't God show mercy without a penalty being paid? Does He make the rules or is He subject to some laws? Did He want it this way?

Laying on of Hands

Was forgiveness guaranteed if the sacrifice ritual was followed, or was forgiveness conditional on a right attitude?
Is sin today forgiven just for the asking, or must one be careful to have the right attitude?
What is the difference in laying on of hands for confession and for ordination?
If you had to kill a lamb for each sin, how would that affect your yielding to temptation?

Transfer of Sin

What is the meaning of remission?
How can blood defile and cleanse at the same time?
Why is the heart and blood equated with life and death more than the brain, liver or stomach?

Bearing Sin

Why was the sin of a ruler or priest handled differently? Is it more serious for a pastor to sin than for a lay-member? If so, why?
If the tithe is for the support of pastors, why do pastors have to return tithe?

Forgiveness

Why can't God forgive without the death of an animal or of Jesus? Doesn't He make the rules?
When on the cross Jesus prayed "forgive them for they know not what they do," were the persecutors forgiven?
How essential is it for you to forgive another who wronged you for him or her to be forgiven?
What makes God so compassionate and merciful and ready to pardon?

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.