ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 7 (May 7-13), Lord of Jews and Gentiles

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.

Monday, 9 May 2016

Lesson 7 (May 7-13), Lord of Jews and Gentiles

Feeding the Hungry

Why did women and children not count such as in the feeding of the 5000?
Why did God allow John to be beheaded? Did Jesus know that was going to happen? Did John's killing cause doubts about the Messiahship of Jesus?
Did Jesus deliberately perform a huge miracle to prove He really was the Messiah?

Lord of All Creation

What did the disciples learn from the episode of the storm that they did not know before?
Why did Jesus need time away from His disciples?
Does Satan also have some control over nature?
Why How much control do humans have over nature?

The Hypocrite's Heart

What is more dangerous, legalism or liberalism?
What was the objective of the Pharisees (or Adventists) in being legalistic?
Are all human beings hypocrites?

Crumbs from the Table

Why would the disciples wish to send away the Canaanite mother who begged help for her demon-possessed daughter?
How does a person become demon-possessed?
Why did Jesus test the faith of the woman several times when He knew her faith from the beginning?
Did Jesus humiliate the woman?

Lord of the Gentiles

How do we know that the feeding in Matt 15 was for gentiles?
Why did God create the distinction between Jew and gentile? Was it avoidable?
Why do second and third generation Adventists treat newly-converted members like gentiles?

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.