ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (Dec 13-19) Prayer, Healing and Restoration

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, 19 December 2014

Lesson 12 (Dec 13-19) Prayer, Healing and Restoration

Why are people fascinated by what they cannot explain?

The Essential Christian Toolkit

Are Adventists less reverent during singing than during prayer?
When waiting for members to assemble worship why do leaders use singing to pass the time rather than praying?
Is it worse to walk into or out of church during prayer than during singing?

Prayer for the Sick

What is the value of anointing a sick person besides praying for him or her?
Should only olive oil be used for anointing or will any oil work equally well?
Why does God not heal all who are anointed?

Healing for the Soul

Why did Jesus address some sick people by granting them forgiveness of sins?
Can sins be forgiven without confession, repentance and call for forgiveness?
Does sin cause sickness?

Models of Prayer

Of what value is one person's prayer on behalf of another person?
What made Elijah so effective in prayer? Can we have the same ability?

Restoration and Forgiveness

Was Elijah's experience on Mt Carmel more important than his ministry to individuals? If so why?
Can one train to be a prophet? What do you think they accomplished in the schools of the prophets?
What is the Elijah message that is to be preached before the advent of Jesus?

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.