ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 8 (Aug 13-19), Jesus Showed Sympathy

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, 15 August 2016

Lesson 8 (Aug 13-19), Jesus Showed Sympathy

Hearing the Groan

Why did God wait till the Israelites groaned before raising up leaders to deliver them? Doesn't He hear the groans before they are uttered? Do parents ever wait till their children groan? What benefits are there in letting them groan first?
What does God do when he sees the tiny sparrow fall?How does that comfort us when we sorrow?

Our Sympathetic Saviour

Did Jesus heal all the sick people he encountered? On what basis did Jesus decide whom to heal?
Why does God need our assistance to help people in dire circumstances? Can't he help them directly?
Is it enough to use our available resources to help poor Seventh-day Adventists or does God require us to use some of that to help non-Adventists in need?

Walking in their Shoes

Does walking in another's shoes require me to sacrifice the interests of myself and my family? Did the good Samaritan do that?
Would the relatives or general public approve of all the forgiveness and generosity the prodigal's father bestowed on the undeserving son?
Does real life work like the above two parables or are they not realistic?

Jesus Wept

Why did Jesus weep when he knew he was going to raise Lazarus? Did he weep when other people died?
What are things we can do besides weeping to show that we care when people lose a family member?
Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem? Does he weep for other cities too?

Another Kind of Comforter

Why did Jesus refer to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter? What is his main role today?
What do we have to do to be know in our community as a comforter?

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.