ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 9 (Nov 23-29), The Pre-advent Judgement

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, 24 November 2013

Lesson 9 (Nov 23-29), The Pre-advent Judgement

The Vision and the Judgement

What are our records being kept in in heaven, books, cloud? How literal is the judgement scene in heaven?
Are there separate books in heaven or is everything in one book?

Judgement Pattern

Has every person experienced unfairness from fellow humans? From God? From life/fate?
Has every person at some time or other dealt unfairly with fellow humans? With God?
In the judgement are we the defendant or the accuser?
In what ways is God the defendant? Is He in amy way the accuser?

Time of the Judgement

Has every generation believed that theirs would be the last? If so, why? Would it affect lifestyle if one "knew" that God would not be coming for another hundred years?
Why would God want to give time prophecies to show when the time of the end would be?
Is it possible to interpret the cryptic time prophecies of the Bible to conclude at any period of history? What makes us think we are truly in the last days?

When the Judgement Ends

Why does God take so long to finish the judgement? Why can't He finish it in an instant?
Why does't God return as soon as the judgement ends and hand out the rewards and punishment immediately? Why do we have to go through times of trouble?

Responsible Assurance

How can we account for the overconfidence of the psalmists in anticipation of the judgement?
Why do many contemplate the judgement with trepidation?

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.