ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 10 (May 28-June 2), Jesus in Jerusalem

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, 29 May 2016

Lesson 10 (May 28-June 2), Jesus in Jerusalem

A Prophesied Coming

Did Jesus intentionally try to fulfil the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah to come, such as by riding a donkey?
Why do you think Jesus permitted the people to proclaim Him as king? Would that not create misunderstandings as to the nature of His kingdom?
Why do you think the owner of the donkey so readily agreed to let the disciples have the donkey? How did Jesus know the owner would release it?

Jesus in the Temple

Why do you think the system of animal sacrifices has been abolished after the crucifixion of Jesus? Won't the practice of sacrifices continue to remind us of the awful cost of our salvation?
How successful was the sanctuary system in terms of understanding salvation? How much did the Israelites actually learn from the sanctuary service?
What practices and customs in the Adventist churches could lead to similar commercialisation as money changers and animal sellers engaged in at the temple?

No Fruit

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? Did He experience frustration? Why didn't Jesus use the cursing of the tree to teach them about the importance of bearing fruit in our lives? Why did Jesus tell the disciples at this time only that they too could do such things, even to moving mountains if they only had faith? Would they not misunderstand that with faith they could do such things without reason?
What is righteous indignation? Is it justified?
What can lay members do to address perceived corruption in the church organisation?

The Stone

Why would tenant farmers not treat the son as they would the owner?
Why did the owner risk sending his son when all the servants sent earlier were beaten and stoned?
Why did Jesus speak in parables rather than speaking directly?
Was there any way that Jesus could have appealed to the chief priests and pharisees with more results? Why were they so resistant to the teachings of Jesus?

The Cost of Grace

When Jesus taught that the chosen people were rejected and that people in the highways and byways would be invited, why did He still persist with them? Why not go to the gentiles?
Why do you think God loves humans so much when they do so much to reject Him?
Why would people insist on wearing their own garments when wedding ones were provided?

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.