ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 11 (Mar 5-11), Peter the Great

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.

Tuesday, 8 March 2016

Lesson 11 (Mar 5-11), Peter the Great

Darkness to Light

Why is "darkness" a negative image? Is darkness bad? Is light always good?
How is it that God's "peculiar people, " "holy nation" are in the darkness? What are they doing there?
What are ways in which God is calling His people out of darkness?

Peer Pressure

Why is it wrong to indulge in excesses of food and drink?
Why is it wrong to engage in deviant sexual activity?
Why is it wrong to accommodate one's lusts?
Why do people put pressure on their friends to join them in their wrong activities?

The More Sure Word of Prophecy

Did everyone hear the voice of God at the time of Jesus' baptism or only some? Are there any prerequisites to hearing God's voice?
What prevented Peter from being a good listener? Why do you think Jesus selected Peter to be a disciple? What were his good qualities?
Can we know for sure whether an inspired person is writing down faithfully what he or she was shown?

Scoffers

Is an agnostic any better than an atheist?
Does 2 Peter 3:6 about the flood destroying the "world that then was" suggest that the flood of Noah may not have been global?
What is the connection between the flood of Noah's day and hell fire at the end of the world?
Is Jesus intentionally delaying His return? Can a delay do harm or can it accomplish good?

Hastening the Day

Can activities of humans good or bad affect the date when Jesus will return, either to advance it or to push it back?
How is a coming accompanied by great noise and melting of the elements like a "thief in the night?" What did Jesus mean?
How is it possible for us to be found without spot or blameless?

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.