ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 7 (Aug 9-15) Living Like 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.

Friday, 15 August 2014

Lesson 7 (Aug 9-15) Living Like Christ

Can another person be my example if it is iimpossible for me to be like that person?

How Jesus Lived

Is it easier to be selfless when we have no personal family? Why could Jesus love better than we can?
Is love built into humans or is it to be learnt?

Love Your Neighbor

Are we really to love everyone, or is having compassion enough?
What if I do not love myself? Am I supposed to love myself? Or am I exempted from loving others if I do not love myself?

Loving Service

Is helping others like Jesus said the sheep do, really more important than keeping the commandments?
Why do some people in need prefer to be left alone? How do I reach them?

Love Your Enemies

What does it mean to love enemies? Is it enough to be good to them? How can I really love those who try to hurt me or my family members?
Who were the enemies of Jesus and how did he show love to them?

How to Live Like Jesus

Are there people we do not hate, but who hate us? What if we have nothing to make right, but they do?
Is it possible to have no enemies?
What if people dislike me not for personal reasons, but professional? Is it a personal problem?

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.