ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 7 (Feb 9-15), Discipling the Social Outcasts

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.

Friday, 14 February 2014

Lesson 7 (Feb 9-15), Discipling the Social Outcasts

Bottom Dwellers

How do people get to the bottom of society, birth or circumstances?
How can people climb up the ladder of society? Which is easier to climb up or to fall down? How does one fall lower?
Is being at the bottom a result of sin?
Who were at the bottom in Jesus day, and how did they get there?

In the Very Act

Do we still look down on young people caught in adultery? Why or why not?
How should we treat church employees caught in adultery?
Why did God make sex so pleasurable?
Why is adultery harder to forgive than lying or stealing?

The Lowest of the Low

Why do doctors think the demon possessed are merely mentally ill? Is that possible?
Can schizophrenics be cured either by medicine or faith?
Are the mentally ill responsible for their sins? If so, to what extent?

The Woman at the Well

Was the woman spiritually thirsty or did Jesus create that desire?
Does society always condemn the woman caught in adultery more than the man? Why or why not?
What can we learn from Jesus about attitudes to sinners?

Publicans and Sinners

Why were publicans at the bottom of society? What would be their equivalent today?
What Biblical evidence is there that there is hope for publicans and tax collectors? How is that hope realized?

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.