ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 4 (Apr 16-22), "Get Up and Walk" Faith

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, 21 April 2016

Lesson 4 (Apr 16-22), "Get Up and Walk" Faith

Touching the Untouchable

What disease today would be the equivalent of leprosy in Bible times which appeared to be a curse from God? Does God punish people with sickness?
Why are we reluctant to touch a person who has an affliction that many not spread by touch, such as HIV?
Just because the Bible does not record it can we assume that Jesus never got sick? Was He immune to all diseases?

The Roman and the Messiah

Since during the time of Jesus and till nearly the end of the second century, Roman officers were not allowed legally to have family, if the Centurian's servant, whom he seemed to have affection for, had been his gay partner, would you have expected Jesus to address that issue? How did Jesus address prostitutes?
Are higher ranked officers better people than lower ranked ones?
Since faith is not faith if there is evidence to believe, what is the difference between faith and gullibility?

Demons and Pigs

Why would Jesus have allowed the evil spirits to enter the pigs causing loss to the owners and suffering for the animals? Would the owners in today's culture have sued such a person today?
Does God love sheep more than pigs?
What happened to the evil spirits when the pigs drowned?

Get Up And Walk

Can the faith of people present around a sick person contribute to the healing? Can their doubt be an obstacle to the healing? Why does the Bible record that Jesus saw the faith of those present (plural)?
Why did Jesus condemn the pharisees and scribes for what they were thinking and had not said? Are we accountable for our thoughts?
Would a paralytic or quadriplegic rather be healed physically or spiritually?

Letting the Dead Bury the Dead

Why do you think that Jesus said to potential followers "The foxes have holes . . . but . . ." ? Didn't everyone know He had no home? Does Jesus turn away some people who want to follow Him?
What was wrong in wanting to bury your father before proceeding to follow Jesus? Wasn't he fulfilling an obligation enjoined by the fifth commandment?
What made the tax collector, a recognised sinner, an acceptable follower?

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.