ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 13 (Mar 22-28), The Cost of Discipleship

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, 22 March 2014

Lesson 13 (Mar 22-28), The Cost of Discipleship

Why does God want His people to suffer? Why can't His followers have a nice happy life? Wouldn't that attract more people to His side?

Calculating Cost: First Priority

Is it possibly to maintain peace in a home where one loves God and one hates Him, by worshipping quietly?
Where there is a conflict what comes first, honouring parents or agreeing with the spouse?
How is it possible to love God whom we have not seen, more than family who are with us?

Bearing Our Cross

What are examples of crosses we have to bear as Christians?
Are crosses designed for is by God or by the devil?
Does Christianity have to be a public declaration always? Can one conceal one's belief in a community that hates Christianity?

Disciplined Response

Why can't Christians take life easy? Why is discipline important?
Can all sinful propensities, all human weaknesses be truly overcome, or do we need to live with them? Can a person overcome love for a particular sin?
What was the experience of Paul? Had he been able to overcome temptation successfully?

Comparing Costs

If there were no future life would it be worth being good?
Was the salvation of the human race cheap or expensive?
Is it cheaper to go to heaven or hell?

A Better Resurrection

Why can we not be saved without dying, since Jesus died for us?
Did Jesus know he was going to be resurrected?
Does the hope of resurrection really affect our attitude to dying?

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.