ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 9 (May 21-27, 2016), Idols of the Soul (and Other Lessons From Jesus)

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, 21 May 2016

Lesson 9 (May 21-27, 2016), Idols of the Soul (and Other Lessons From Jesus)

Do some people have an advantage over others because of where they were born and brought up?

The Greatness of Humility

Is pride evil or just dangerous?
When does ambition become wrong?
What is the difference between childishness and childlikeness? What qualities of a child are desirable and make one a good candidate for heaven?
What makes doing a favour for a child superior to doing one for an adult?

The Greatness of Forgiveness

Why do so few people follow the instruction of Jesus to approach a person directly when he/she sins against you?
Is saying " I forgive you enough?" Can one know if he/she has truly forgiven someone else? How can one know?
What does Jesus mean by saying that an unrepentant person should be treated like a pagan or tax-collector?
Can some people forgive more easily than others?

Idols of the Soul

Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler who wanted to know how to enter eternal life "to keep the commandments?" Can one go to heaven by keeping the commandments?
Who do you think was more sad at the end of the encounter--Jesus or the young ruler?"
Does Jesus expect each of us to give all our possessions to the poor and follow Him? Or did He say that because He knew that the young ruler had an inordinate love of money?

What's in It for Us?

Is renouncing worldly possessions to follow Jesus a guarantee of heaven? Is it commendable to become a hermit or a wandering monk?
What did Jesus mean by saying "the last will be first and the first will be last?"
Why should the disciples be greater in heaven than others?

We Are Able

What made James and John think that they were eligible to sit on the right and left hand of Jesus in the Kingdom?
Is it wrong to approach an officer to ask for a certain appointment in the church administration?
Can Jesus choose or not choose who will sit on his left and right?
What challenges are in the cup that Jesus was asking if they could drink from?

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.