ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 11 (Mar 9-15), Discipling Spiritual Leaders

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, 8 March 2014

Lesson 11 (Mar 9-15), Discipling Spiritual Leaders

Leadership Starts Here

What qualities should a leader look for when picking assistants? How does prayer help in selecting people?
Why didn't Jesus pick more disciples? What was the difference between the 12 and the 70?

Knowledge and Experience: Part 1

Why is it important for disciples to live and travel with their master? Why could they not go home after listening to His lectures?
What is the difference between being taught by Jesus and by the Spirit?
When we are taught by the Spirit, how do we know it is the Holy Spirit and not our own imagination?

Knowledge and Experience: Part 2

Why is it important for disciples to live and travel with their master? Why could they not go home after listening to His lectures?
What is the difference between being taught by Jesus and by the Spirit?
When we are taught by the Spirit, how do we know it is the Holy Spirit and not our own imagination?

The Early Leaders

Why did Jesus pick poor people to be his future leaders? Can we expect rich people to learn from poor people? Will the poor co,e to learn from the rich?
Is the fact that Jesus excluded women from the 12 or the 70 reason enough not to have women pastors?
Why did Jesus not turn away Judas from following Him? Could Judas have been sincere, but misguided?

What Jesus Left

What are the top three qualities needed for a leader of God's church?
Why do people change for the worse after they become leaders?
Do third or fourth-generation Adventists make better leaders in the church? Why or why not?
Why do we require our leaders to be ordained if Jesus did not ordain his disciples?

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.