ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 11 (Mar 7-13), Living By FaithDoes

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, 12 March 2015

Lesson 11 (Mar 7-13), Living By FaithDoes

What is the difference between 'trust' and 'faith'?

Keep the Law

Why would God give special laws to a group of people, such as ceremonial laws for Israelites? Why should those laws not apply to other peoples?
On what basis do we select some ceremonial laws as applicable to all people such as clean and unclean meats?
What does it mean to be "under the law?"

Seek the Lord

Whom does the law point to Jesus, Christians or non Christians?
Are we born with a sense of right and wrong or do we learn that? If a person were raised in complete isolation would that person have the same sense of right and wrong?
Is the search for God inherent or acquired?

Words for the Rich

Does God expect us to give alms to all beggars who approach us or should we refrain from "spoiling" them till we know for sure that they are really needy?
Are we all included in Jesus' definition of rich?

Handbook for the Poor

On what basis do inspired writers declare that all humans are equal? Does God give the poor any advantages over the rich that compensates for being poor?
Will God judge the poor any less harshly than he judges the wicked?

Loving the Truth

Though the saying "spare the rod and spoil the child" is not in the Bible, is that the sentiment of the Bible? Does the Bible advocate spanking a child in the home and in the school?
Do other methods of discipline work as well as spanking does?

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.