ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (June 11-17), Jesus' Last Days

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, 12 June 2016

Lesson 12 (June 11-17), Jesus' Last Days

A Beautiful Work

Why do you think only John of the gospel writers mentions the name of the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus and the name of the disciple who grumbled? What is the effect of knowing the names as one reads the story?
Why did Jesus label the anointing with expensive perfume a "beautiful work?" Can one do a beautiful work without going through great expense?
Why was it better to use the perfume for Jesus than to give the equivalent money to the poor? Wouldn't Jesus have said "ye have done it unto me?"

The New Covenant

Did Jesus choose to be crucified at the time of the Passover or was that a coincidence? Did it make any difference when He was crucified?
Why is there no reference to a lamb at the last supper? Didn't the passover meal include a lamb? Would't that have been a nice time to draw the connection to Jesus?
What is the connection of salvation from sin to the Exodus?
How often should Christians celebrate Communion?

Judas Sells His Soul

How can we prevent Satan entering us as he did to Judas? Is the thought to do something wrong indication that Satan has entered us?
Why was it necessary for Judas to identify Jesus? Didn't the others who came to arrest Him not know him well?
What causes one to betray a trusted friend? What is the best way to deal with a hurting conscience?

Peter's Denial

How does Jesus' fore-knowledge of Judas's betrayal and Peter's denial not impinge on their free will?
In the light that all the disciples abandoned Jesus why is Peter singled out for failure seeing that he had at least followed Jesus at a distance?
What gave Peter such courage that he could draw a sword in Gethsemane and such fear that he denied knowing Jesus?

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.