ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 5 (July 23-29) Jesus on Community

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, 25 July 2016

Lesson 5 (July 23-29) Jesus on Community

Jesus Mission Statement

Why is a prophet not accepted in his own home?
Did Jesus say something that provoked the people Nazareth?
Why didn't Jesus launch his ministry in a friendlier town?
How can preachers present provocative topics?

Loving Your Neighbour

How much are we to love ourselves if we are to love our neighbours as we love our own selves?
Are there times when we might need to put others ahead of ourselves?
Should concern for safety of family control how much to help others?
Should all neighbours be loved equally? Why are people more anxious to help a wealthy-looking lost child than one in rags?

The Whole Recipe

How can salt lose its saltiness?
Is passive witness, that is, living a good Christian life, enough witness?
Is it possible to over-salt the community?

On Being a Farmer

Is it enough to "sow the seeds," or should we be concerned about the number of baptisms?
How does one prepare the ground for sowing the seeds of the gospel?
How did the ministry of Jesus mirror his model of sowing and reaping?

Church Planting

Why did Jesus send out his disciples empty-handed?
Should religious workers be self-supporting, or should they be paid a salary? If yes, should be salary be commensurate with that of the country?
Should community service be have the motive of soul winning?

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.