ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (Sept 12-18), Paul -- Mission and Message

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.

Saturday, 12 September 2015

Lesson 12 (Sept 12-18), Paul -- Mission and Message

Greeks and Jews

Did Paul have to adjust or focus the gospel differently for Greeks and Jews? Is that recommended for reaching different cultures today?
How important is it for a evangelist to study missiology?
How important is it for a preacher to know his congregation before selecting a sermon to preach?

Soldiers and Athletes

Is it okay for Adventists to serve in the army? How is the church like an army? What hymns illustrate this metaphor?
What sports are inadvisable for Adventists and why? What qualities of athletes are valuable for Christians?
Will we play games in heaven?

Paul and the Law

Why are rules unpopular with young people?
Why do Adventists still observe some of the ceremonial laws?
How is the fourth commandment unique? Why are so many Protestants so slow to recognise its authority?

The Cross and the Resurrection

Why is Satan anxious to promote the idea of immortality of the soul?
Why is the mortality of humans crucial for the gospel?
What do the "near death" experiences of people who claim to have come back from the brink of death teach us?

Getting Along

How important is "team spirit" compared with "zeal for evangelism" in carrying out God's commission? Which is more important in selecting church leaders today?
How correct was Paul in refusing to take John Mark along on the next journey?
Are we westernising our converts too much? Is there anything Adventists can do to make Christianity easier for Indians to accept?

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.