ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 8 (may 18-24). the Law of God and the Law of Christ

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.

Thursday, 22 May 2014

Lesson 8 (may 18-24). the Law of God and the Law of Christ

The Law and the Prophets

Why did God give ten commandments instead of nine or eleven?
Does God have any other laws for us to keep besides the ten commandments?
When God divides the sheep and the goats why is there no mention that the sheep keep the commandments?

The "Rules" of Love

What was Jesus' example? Did He comcentrate on keeping the law, or did He make love His priority.
Was the instruction "to love" really a new commandment? Was love so absent in the Old Testament?

All Things to All Men

Was evangelism more important to Paul than keeping the law? In any sense is love for people and bringing them to Christ more important than keeping the letter of the law?
Is the law subject to the situation? Can one thing be right in one situation and wrong in another?

Fulfilling the Law of Christ

If one does not know the law will God still hold him or her guilty?
Are the ten commandments naturally and universally accepted, or does one have to be taught them?

Law and Judgement

Why does God not inform humans when probation will close? Or when the judgement will begin? Or will He announce it?
In the judgement what will determine our fate, whether we have kept the law, or whether we have loved? Was the parable of the sheep and goats meant to illustrate this or was that only a parable to teach God's role as judge?

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.