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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.

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

Lesson 9 (August 22-28), Peter and the Gentiles

Why do you think Peter was chosen by God to open the door for Gentiles?

 Peter at Pentecost

  1. Does the commission to take the gospel to the "uttermost parts of the earth" have to be fulfilled literally, or does preaching to all nationalities who gather in one place as at pentecost fulfil it? 
  2. Does taking the gospel by radio and TV into all nations satisfy the gospel commission?
  3. Was Peter appointed a leader by Jesus?
The Conversion of Cornelius
  1. Why do you think the Jews would forbid their people to "keep company or come unto one of another nation," such as Peter quoted to Cornelius?
  2. Could there be any truth in the interpretation of most Christians that the vision given to Peter also indicated that there is no longer any such thing as unclean meat?
  3. Is is there any occasion when it is okay to bow before human beings?
  4. What made the Jews avoid eating and fellowshipping with gentiles? What was wrong in Peter eating and fellowshipping with gentiles, but avoiding when Jewish Christians were around? Can such practice be defended by saying that it was to prevent placing an obstacle between Peter and the Jewish Christians?
  5. When Christians recognises that God does not discriminate, what causes Christians to discriminate?
  6. Is it necessary to reserve quotas for each community in (a) educational institutions, (b) government positions, and (c) church administration? What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages?
  7. If gentiles can be saved according to the light that they have received, why do we have to give them more light?
Peter's Vision
  1. What is involved in changing one's attitude on discrimination on the basis of race or gender? Is it increased knowledge or conviction by the Holy Spirit?
  2. What made Peter understand the interpretation of the vision? At what point was the Spirit needed most--to give the vision, to understand the vision, or to declare the message?
  3. Why would Peter's residing with a tanner (leather worker) be offensive to certain peoples?
The Jerusalem Decree
  1. Who is the final authority on how much the gospel may be contextualised--General Conference in session, General Conference Executive Committee or the Biblical Research Institute?
  2. Is the ordination of women a theological issue or a missiological one?
  3. How was the final decision made in Jerusalem, consensus, majority, or declaration by the chair? Which is the best way to make an important decision? 
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