ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 13 (Dec 20-26), The Everlasting Gospel

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.

Thursday, 25 December 2014

Lesson 13 (Dec 20-26), The Everlasting Gospel

The Gospel in the Old Testament

Why did God make an "Old Covenant" with humans if it could not be kept by them and if a New Covenant would replace it?
Why do humans, such as illustrated in the Old Testament, have difficulty believing that salvation can be really free?
Why did the Jews wish to do something to deserve salvation? How do Adventists measure compared to the Jews?

The Gospel Made Flesh

Could God have taken human flesh without being born as a baby?
Is salvation free? What did it cost Jesus in the light that He was resurrected from the dead?
Could God have arranged a birth that would have convinced more people that Jesus was really the son of God? If so why was it not done that way?

The Gospel in Paul

If Paul had died during the days he persecuted the followers of Jesus would he have been saved by his sincerity? Can you give some support from the words of Jesus for your answer?
What made Paul successful in his evangelism to the gentiles? What lessons can we learn from Paul's ministry?

The "New Covenant"

Why is the "new covenant" called "new" if it was established at Eden?
What was faulty in the "Old Covenant?"
Can Christians choose to be saved under the provisions of the "Old Covenant? Will anyone be saved that way?

The Climax of the Gospel

Since Adventists keep returning to texts that remind us about keeping the commandments, does that in any way hinder us from accepting salvation by grace?
What is the best way to present commandment keeping to prospective Christians while teaching them about the gospel?
How can we present the truths about the blessings of commandment keeping especially with reference to the Sabbath? Do we as Adventists keep the Sabbath purely out of love for Jesus or as a duty of keeping the commandment? How can I know what my motive really is?

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.