ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 4 (April 18-24), The Call to Discipleship

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.

Sunday, 19 April 2015

Lesson 4 (April 18-24), The Call to Discipleship

Does being a disciple require more commitment than being a follower?

Fishers of Men

Why do you think Peter agreed to let down his net once more when he probably believed it would be useless?
When Peter hauled in a huge catch why do you think he referred to himself as a "sinful person" ? Why do you think he asked Jesus to go away?
Why do you think Jesus preceded his call to disciples to follow Him with a miracle for their benefit?

Selection of the Twelve

Does the number twelve have any spiritual significance?
Is there any connection between the words disciple and discipline?
Did Jesus select the twelve on the basis of divine knowledge or on His human relationship and experience?

Commissioning of the Apostles

Did the twelve go out together or two by two? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
What is the value of a commissioning or ordinations service?
Should pastors be paid a salary or should they live off the generosity of their church members?

Sending the Seventy

Does the number seventy have any religious significance?
Why didn't Jesus call all the seventy to follow him like the twelve?

The Cost of Discipleship

Should pastors today call disciples to follow them?
What does discipleship cost us?

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.