ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 3 (July 12-18), The Holy Spirit

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.

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

Lesson 3 (July 12-18), The Holy Spirit

The Representative of Christ

Why did Jesus refer to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter? Is that His main work?
How does the Holy Spirit comfort us?
Why is the Holy Spirit the representative of Jesus and not of the Father?
Does being a representative make one inferior to the sender?

The Holy Spirit is a Person

What do we mean by person? What makes the Holy Spirit a person?
Is the nature of the Holy Spirit a greater mystery than that of Jesus or of the Father?
If we could see the Holy Spirit would we grieve Him less, sin less? Why does He remain invisible?

The Holy Spirit is Divine

Is the work of the Holy Spirit as an advocate similar to or disimilar to that of Jesus as Advocate?
How much connection with the Spirit did Jesus have when on earth compared with between Him and the Father?
Can we have the same power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus had?

The Work of the Holy Spirit

If we pray to be reminded of sin, will the Holy Spirit bring to mind some sins that He would not have otherwise convicted us of?
What is the difference between humans being born of the Spirit and the birth of Jesus? What is similar?

Filled With the Spirit

Is there any difference between being filled with the Spirit and being full of the Spirit?
Can a person be only half-filled with the Spirit?
Are Adventists too reluctant to be filled with the Spirit?

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.