ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (July 4-10), Abraham

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, 9 July 2015

Lesson 2 (July 4-10), Abraham

The Call of Abraham

Was Abraham the only one called during his time, or are all called and only few respond?
Does God test everyone's loyalty as Abraham's was tested or are do some live their entire lives without tests?
Why did God change Abraham's name? Should we all change our names when we are converted?

Abraham's Testimony To The Kings

Are there times when it is okay to fight in an army when our country is in the right?
Why did God permit Lot to be captured and then delivered? Could He not have prevented the capture in the first place?
Does a nation have the right to occupy land gained in a war? Does an army have a right to the wealth of a conquered nation?

Exemplar of Faith

How can Abraham be upheld as the father of those who have faith when twice he lied about his wife to save his life, and who laughed when informed he would have a son?
Which requires more faith, to move to an unknown country or to sacrifice your son?
How do we know if a test is from God or just circumstantial?

Abraham the Wanderer

Why do you think God required Abraham to keep moving?
Did God give Abraham sufficient wealth that survival on the move did not require faith?
Was Abraham's culture as described in the Bible normative for us today--removing shoes on holy ground, headship in the home, etc.?

Abraham

Can a person be a missionary at home or does one have to be in a cross-cultural setting to be termed a missionary?
Does one have to be active in witnessing to be a missionary, or is merely living a good life such as is described by Ellen White "a kind courteous Christian being the greatest argument in favor of Christianity" adequate?

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.