ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (Mar 16-22), The Harvest and the Harvesters

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, 15 March 2014

Lesson 12 (Mar 16-22), The Harvest and the Harvesters

Would Jesus have used the imagery of "harvest"if he could see how crops are harvested today? Why, or why not?

Beggar's Bread

Would angels have done a better job in evangelizing the world? When does God intervene and send angels to guide people to trut?
What causes some disciples to be remembered better than others? Why inspired some to write while others did not?

When Jesus Urged Patience

Hasn't the Holy Spirit always been on the earth? Why did the disciples have to wait for the Spirit?
If one evangelist is more successful than another is it because of the Spirit? Why would the Spirit assist one evangelist more than another?
Are the qualities of a harvester inherited or developed?
Are Adventist evangelisits patient enough?

Exercising Authority

How did Jesus convince His disciples to forsake everything and devote their entire energy to spreading His message?
What comvinced the disciples that Jesus was who He said He was?
How can we know that Jesus is with us in our witnessing?

Labourers For the Harvest

Are we brinigng people into the church too quickly?
Should we spend more energy in retaining members considering we are losing them in larger proportions than we should?
How soon after conversion can new members be drafted into active witnessing?

Lost and Found

Which is worse, to be lost outside the church or inside the church?
What are examples of attitudes of church members, represented by the prodigal's older brother's attitude? What things do we hear and say that are equivqlent?

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.