ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 5 (Jan 26-Feb 1), Discipling the Sick

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, 25 January 2014

Lesson 5 (Jan 26-Feb 1), Discipling the Sick

The Healing Messiah

Does healing a sick person make him/her vulnerable to conversion?
Did Jesus heal every single one who came to Him? Were there any conditions?
Did Jesus offer life and health in order to attract people?

Healing the Body

Is sickness a result of an individual's sin?
Why do innocent people get seriously sick?
In order to heal a human did Jesus have to take their infirmity upon Himself?

Healing the Mind and Body

Which is easier, to heal the body or heal the mind?
Did Jesus do more to cure sickness or forgive sins? Why?
Can the mind make the body sick and/or can the body make the mind sick?

The Resurrection and the Life

Can other denominational pastors be given the gift of faith healing?
Why do people want eternal life?
Why does God wish to offer eternal life to humans?

Christ's Healing Legacy

Why are there not more faith healing experiences in the Adventist church nowadays?
Did the disciples heal as many people as Jesus did? Why or why not?
Should all pastors be trained to treat sickness?

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.