ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (July 2-8), Restoring Dominion

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, 3 July 2016

Lesson 2 (July 2-8), Restoring Dominion

Created for Dominion

How does the ability of humans to exert dominion over all creation bring glory to God?
Did the entrance of sin make any difference to the purpose of life?
What would be the purpose of any individual's life if there was no plan of salvation?

The Privilege of Dominion

What would have been the responsibilities of human beings over the rest of creation before sin? In what ways could they have been expected to exert their rulership over animals?
In the absence of sin what could have threatened creation that necessitated a ruler?
Is trimming hedges and plants into various shapes and sizes responsible or irresponsible care?

Boundaries

What is the purpose of boundaries? Who benefits from them? Why do people like to cross boundaries?
Does Satan have any boundaries? Could he have roamed Eden freely or was he restricted to the tree of knowledge of good and evil?
Why does power corrupt?

Care of the Earth

Why did God use two words, "tend/dress" and "keep?" What is the difference between those two?
How much rulership over creation by humans remains? How are we doing?
What more can Adventists do to protect the resources of the earth?

Restoring Dominion

Why did God require the Israelites to be more humane to fellow-Israelites than to gentiles?
Do we have any obligations to the beggars around us?
Why did we as Adventists ask between Sabbath School and the Divine Service during a Home Missionary time such questions as "how many persons helped," "meals given away," "articles of clothing given away," etc? Why have we stopped taking that survey?

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.