ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 5 (Apr 23-29), The Seen and the Unseen War

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, 23 April 2016

Lesson 5 (Apr 23-29), The Seen and the Unseen War

Matthew 11:11, 12

Is it possible to make all truths so simple that anyone and everyone can understand them, or are some important truths too complicated to simplify?
If one who is "least in the kingdom of heaven" is "greater than John the Baptist" does it mean that John will be or will not be in the kingdom?
Is force used only against the kingdom of heaven or does the kingdom of heaven also use force?

The Frontiers of Darkness

Should evangelists be more aggressive than they are at present? Should the church be more militant?
Should the church be more passive and avoid confrontation?
What can we learn from the example of Jesus as to how He dealt with the powers of darkness?

The "Warfare Worldview"

In view of the battle against evil should Adventists ally with other Christian denominations or are they part of the evil we fight against?
How scared should a Christian be of Satan?
If God is so much stronger than the devil, why aren't we more aggressive in the battle with him?

When the Battle Gets Nasty

How would you describe the balance of strengths of God and the Devil, 51-49, 100-00, or in between?
Why does God allow his followers to be put in jail or put to death, or persecuted?
Why does God free some people from persecution (jail, fire, etc, and allow others to die?

A Lost Cause

How sure are we as Christians that we are on the winning side in the Great Controversy? What makes us sure?
Why does Satan fight on if he knows his defeat is sure?
If the battle was won at the cross what are we waiting for?
Why aren't we more aggressive in trying to get people on to the winning side?

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.