ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 1 (Sept 24-30), The End

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, 26 September 2016

Lesson 1 (Sept 24-30), The End

Is the story of Job meant to be taken completely literally, or could some parts be exaggerated for the sake of the story, wealth in cattle in exactly whole numbers, number of children in perfect proportions, characters of Job and his wife stretched to opposite extremes, etc?

Happily Ever After

Why does the record not tell of the healing that must have come to Job?
How would you rank the following in terms of importance: (1) public vindication of your innocence, (2) having a happy family again, (3) complete recovery from painful illness, (4) wealth, (5) knowing that you are at peace with God, (6) long life?
Why did God bless Job with double wealth after his trial?
Why were his children not double of those who died?
How long was Job's ordeal?
If Job knew the ending, would the ordeal be worth it?

Unhappy Endings

Why does God permit bad things to good people?
Could Abel have done things any differently to avoid being killed by Cain?
If Uriah had known the end from the beginning would he have gone home to his wife and covered up David's deed?
Did Eli deserve his end?
Would it have been better for John the Baptist to not condemn a person who was not going to reform?
Should Stephen have kept quiet to avoid getting stoned?

The Partial Restoration

Why did God allow Job's children to be killed and can a new set of children replace the lost set?
Was Satan prevented from taking the life of Job's wife, or did he keep her to use her?
For fairness sake was it necessary for Job to find out the true cause of his misfortunes?

The Final Kingdom

Does Satan still have access to heavenly councils?
Can justice in the final judgement compensate for injustice in this world?
Did people of the New Testament understand more about God's kingdom that those in the Old Testament?

The Resurrection and the Life

Did the people of the New Testament understand the concept of resurrection better than those in the Old Testament? Is progressive revelation unfair to those to whom less was revealed? Are those who know more, more accountable?
Does anything in nature suggest resurrection is possible?
Does anything in nature suggest that resurrection is not possible?

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.