ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 6 (August 1-7), Esther and Mordecai

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, 6 August 2015

Lesson 6 (August 1-7), Esther and Mordecai

Esther in Persia

Why did Vashti refuse to appear before the king?
Was it okay for Esther to join the beauty contest? Does an order from the king make such participation okay?
Can Adventist girls today join beauty pageants?

Esther in the Court of the King

Why did Esther and Mordecai conceal their religious and racial identity since apparently it did not matter to the king?
Were Esther and Mordecai being deceptive?
Are Adventists too secretive about their identity?

For Such a Time as This

Was it wrong to bow down to Haman? Are any customs of protocol today equally wrong, such as calling a priest "father," or bowing before a king?
Was it worth Mordecai endangering his entire race because of his stubborn refusal?
Is it acceptable for girls to use their beauty to get favours from their husbands?

Mordecai and Haman

Why do you think Esther did not immediately inform the king of the plot of Haman? What were the advantages in delaying? What could have been the risks?
How do you think it was possible for Mordecai to conceal his religious identity? Is it possible for a good Adventist to keep his religion secret?
Is it right for Adventist believers to support the governments of their nations even if they are communist of dictatorships?

When Some Gentiles Became Jews

How can we defend the inclusion of the Book of Esther in the Bible when their is no mention of God in the entire book?
If people "convert" out of fear because a king or authority has so commanded, is it valid?
What makes it acceptable for people to raid possessions of people they may kill?
Is it all right to kill in self defence?

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.