ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 4 (Jan 18-25), Discipling Children

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.

Monday, 20 January 2014

Lesson 4 (Jan 18-25), Discipling Children

Why is it harder to make a decision to follow Jesus as an adult compared to when one is a child?

The Hebrew Child's Advantage

What is the difference between child sacrifice in heathen nations and Abraham's attempt to sacrifice Isaac?
What makes families have fewer children nowadays compared with Bible times?
What makes parents abuse their own children?

Jesus' Childhood

Why do you think the plan of salvation involved Jesus being born as a baby?
Why do you think we are told so little about the childhood of Jesus?
What do think made Jesus aware that He was the Son of God?

Healing the Children

What makes parents so concerned for the survival of their children?
What makes animal mothers so protective of their young?
Was Jesus more compassionate towards children than adults? Why or why not?

A Fearsome Warning?

What was Jesus referring to when he said that things have been revealed to children that have been hidden from adults?
What makes children lose the childlike traits that Jesus commended?
What is the difference, if any, between childlikeness and childishness?

Suffer the Little Children

Why do adults say "children should be seen and not heard?" Why are children considered a nuisance?
Why do children forgive and forget more easily than adults?
At what age should we start treating children like adults?

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.