ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 10 (Nov 30-Dec 6), The Eschatological Day of the Atonement

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, 30 November 2013

Lesson 10 (Nov 30-Dec 6), The Eschatological Day of the Atonement

The Little Horn's Attack

What makes something an anti-Christ?
Why does Satan try to subvert Christ's work as priest instead of bringing in a fake messiah and a fake sacrifice?

How Long?

Why didn't the angel tell plainly that the sanctuary would be cleansed in 1844? Or, at least why didn't the angel say 2300 "years" or even "days," instead of "evenings and mornings?"
Could God have wanted every generation to believe that 2300 prophecy was ending in their time? How can we be sure that there will not be another interpretation much later?
How can we know that one day is equal to one year in Bible Prophecy?

The Restoration of the Holy

How do we know that the cleansing or restoration of the sanctuary means the investigative judgement? Can this be demonstrated from the service of the earthly sanctuary?
Why didn't the angel make it clear that the judgement was to begin? Why use language that is not so clear in meaning?

Day of Atonement in Dan 8

How did the Day of Atonement restore the sanctuary and reconcile the people back with God?
Did the Israelites believe that their services pointed forward to judgement in a heavenly sanctuary?
What references in the Bible describe court scenes in heaven?

Dan 8 and 9

How did the layout of the sanctuary, the daily and the yearly, and the annual festivals all connect to the time prophecies of the seventy weeks and the 2300 days? In other words, what in the sanctuary connected with the 70 week prophecy (first advent), and what of the sanctuary and its services connected to the final judgement and Christ's ministry in the heavenly sanctuary?
Just because one period is "cut off," how do we say that it is connected to the longer time period, and that they have the same beginning?

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.