ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 6 (July 30-Aug 5), Jesus Mingled With People

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.

Wednesday, 3 August 2016

Lesson 6 (July 30-Aug 5), Jesus Mingled With People

Christ's Method Alone

Why did the Jews not mingle more with their neighbours? Had given them any instruction that they understood or misunderstood?
Was Jesus interested solely in the salvation of people or did He treasure friendships for any other reason?
What will be the response of church leaders when members mingle with people of questionable characters? How can possible criticism be handled?

Lost and Found

Can lost people be found without mingling with them?
Why do people get lost inside the church?
Can we blame the shepherd if sheep get lost on the way?
Had the father neglected the prodigal's older brother?

Eating with Sinners

Should we wait to be invited by sinners or should we be inviting them home? Did Jesus ever invite people for meals?
Why are people reluctant to invite others to their home for meals? How can one overcome such reluctance?
Is Sabbath a good day to invite people for meals or is it making too much work for the host?

Mingling Wisely

Did Lot make a mistake in choosing to settle in Sodom? How successful was their decision?
Why did Israel keep falling into idolatry when they mingled with non-Israelites?
Should more Adventists be studying in non-Adventist institutions?

In the Midst of a Crooked Generation

Is there any community that we should avoid because they are too bad?
Can we be lost because we failed to witness?
Has the Adventist church wasted too much energy and resources on internal issues which could have been used in witnessing?

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.