ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 8 (Nov 15-21), The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom

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, 15 November 2014

Lesson 8 (Nov 15-21), The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom

The Meekness of Wisdom

How does one acquire wisdom?
Does much learning make one proud or humble? Or does it not make as much difference as other factors?

Two Kinds of Wisdom

Are children born selfish and assertive or do they become that way?
What makes some people meek and others assertive? Is it possible to change frm one to the other?
Can one be too meek? Moses was said to be the meekest one who ever lived: was he always that way? If not, what changed him?

Cause of Conflict and Quarrels

Why have so many wars been fought in the name of religion? Is it justified?
Was Buddha right in teaching that desire causes suffering? What will be the result if one gets rid of desire?
What does Paul mean by exhorting us to covet earnestly the best gifts?

Friendship with the World

Why does God ask us to live in the world but not love it? Why can't we abandon the world and live in the wilderness away from sin and temptations?
Why does God ask us not to love both Him and the world? Is it possible to love both?

Submission to God

Why is it hard to resist the devil? Would it be easier if we could see him and know who was tempting us? Would we knowingly follow behind the devil if we could see him and know who he was?
Why do both God and the devil work unseen through our minds?

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.