ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 13 (June 20-26), Crucified and Risen

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, 26 June 2015

Lesson 13 (June 20-26), Crucified and Risen

Gethsemane

If we can be judged by intent--the thief on the cross will be saved, could the world have been saved by Jesus'victory at Gethsemane? Was that enough?
What was Jesus battling in Gethsemane?
Why did Jesus not explain things fully to His disciples?

Judas

What made Judas more susceptible to the temptations of the devil? What could Judas have done to put himself on safer ground?
Was Judas sincere?
Didn't Judas have the right motives for saving money? What made it wrong?

Either For Him or Against Him

If there were a middle ground for people who wished to be neutral and neither suffer hell nor enjoy heaven, how many would choose that? Why is that not an option?
Could the people have done anything to prevent the crucifixion of Jesus?

He is Risen

Why were the disciples so slow to accept the fact of the resurrection?
Why do you think women were given the privilege of being the first to witness the resurrection? Would men have been more credible?
What are the evidences that convince us that the resurrection was real?

All Things Must Be Fulfilled

Did Jesus do things to fulfill prophecy? Does that make the prophecy less impressive?
What convinced the disciples that Jesus was actually resurrected from the dead?
Why do you think Jesus appeared first to disciples other than from among the twelve?
Why does Jesus not appear to more people nowadays to convince them of the resurrection?

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.