ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 8 (May 14-20), Peter and the Rock

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, 14 May 2016

Lesson 8 (May 14-20), Peter and the Rock

You Are the Christ

When talking to the disciples why did Jesus refer to himself as "the Son of Man" instead of just "I?"
Didn't Jesus know what people were saying about him without being told?
Why did Jesus instruct His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah?

"On This Rock"

Was Jesus intending to start a new religion rather than refocus Judaism?
Is it a problem to understand Peter as a rock and part of the foundation of Christianity? Can we not all be such rocks as we confess that Jesus is the Messiah?
Was Peter the leader of the disciples or just their spokesman, or just the quickest to speak?

"Peter as Satan"

What was wrong with Peter not wanting Jesus to suffer and die? Why did Jesus get so worked up by Peter saying that?
For those who still pray with "thee and thou," Why did Jesus say "Get THEE behind me Satan?" Similarly, why did Jesus address Satan as "thou?"
What is wrong with trying to save our lives?

Encouragement from Heaven

What made Elijah and Moses better comforters and supporters than angels?
Why did the transfiguration do for the disciples' faith?
Why would the disciples be afraid when Jesus was with them?

Jesus and the Temple Tax

Do you think that Jesus really paid tax, or was Peter bluffing?
Why do pastors have to pay tithe if the tithe is coming to pay their salaries?
Why do you think Jesus asked Peter to get the coin from a fish rather than from under a stone?
Is it okay to allow people to continue in their misconceptions when we condescend to avoid controversy?

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.