ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 10 (Nov 29-Dec 5), Weep and Howl

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, 29 November 2014

Lesson 10 (Nov 29-Dec 5), Weep and Howl

Justice Will Be Done

Why can God not punish the wicked and reward the righteous before they die?
Why are the rich in general condemned when there are many good rich people?
Are rich people more selfish than the poor?

When Wealth Becomes Worthless

Why do people hang on to stuff that they do not use?
Why do people not use things they hang on to?
How does sudden wealth affect a person? Can those effects be avoided?

Cries of the Poor

Are the rich obliged to help the poor? If so, how?
Is an employer obliged to give advances on salary to a poor employee?
Is it possible to get rich without being greedy?
Is it possible to get rich without being oppressing others?

Fat and Happy (for Now)

Why are fat people considered prosperous? Aren't there many rich people who are fit, ad many poor who are fat?
Can wealth be created and destroyed or does it just move around?
Why was the lesson Jesus told of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus?

Blame the Victim

Why are the poor poor?
Is there aways someone to blame when something goes wrong?
Why are people anxious to avoid being blamed?
Why do try to place the blame on others?

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.