ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 7 (Feb 6-12), Jesus' Teachings and the Great Controversy

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.

Sunday, 7 February 2016

Lesson 7 (Feb 6-12), Jesus' Teachings and the Great Controversy

Many Kinds of Rest

What did Jesus mean by asking us to take His yoke upon ourselves? In what ways is it a yoke?
How can His yoke bring rest to our souls?
What is the difference in the rest that the wicked enjoy and that which God's people are promised?

Planting and Harvesting

Can a person be lost because another failed to sow seeds or water them?
Are we justified in overlooking some fields because the harvest is so much more ready elsewhere?
Is all hardening of the heart the result of Satan's work or are people capable of rejecting the gospel on their own?

Building on the Rock

How can people successfully cast out devils and do other "good works" in the name of Jesus and Jesus not recognise them?
Do evangelists who perform miracles in Jesus name believe that they are genuine? Whose fault is it if they are wrong?
How can I ensure that my faith is built on the right rock? How can I ensure that when Jesus returns He will recognise me?

Do Not Judge

Aren't humans expected to judge constantly? What kind of judging are we expected to shun?
What makes one a hypocrite?
What makes it wrong to try to help another even though we ourselves we need help?

I am with You Alway

In what way is Jesus with us that he was not before His incarnation?
What does the presence of Jesus do for us?
How can Satan tell if we have Jesus with us or not?

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.