ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 13 (Sept 17-23), How Shall We Wait?

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, 18 September 2016

Lesson 13 (Sept 17-23), How Shall We Wait?

While We Wait For Jesus

What is the connection between the destruction of the temple and the second coming of Jesus? Why did Jesus connect the two when the disciples asked about the end of time?
Of what use is it when signs in the heavens (stars falling, sun and moon becoming dark) are given to one generation and Jesus' return is several generations later?
Have people of each generation imagined theirs to be the last?
What did Jesus mean by the phrase "Occupy till I come," in the parable of the talents, doing our own business, or doing His business? What are those talents that he has asked us to multiply? How can we balance living a successful life, and doing His work?

Revival and Reformation While We Wait

Did the five wise virgins fail in any way because they went to sleep while waiting for the bridegroom? Should they have helped keep the others ready? How much are we responsible for helping others get ready for Jesus' return?
What is the lesson from the foolish virgins? What in our lives distinguishes us as wise or foolish?
Does the bridegroom intentionally delay his coming to help separate the wise from the foolish? How can we keep from getting complacent?

The Mission of the Church While We Wait

How many members are aware of the mission statement of the Adventist church? Is the statement for the administrators, church employees, or for all members?
If we had to make a mission statement for the Adventist church based on the reality of what we are actually doing, what would the statement look like?
Does our local church have a mission statement? How successful have we been in keeping it uppermost in our minds? How effectively have we lived it?

Preparing For the Final Harvest

Is sowing seeds of the gospel enough are are we expected to bring in a plentiful harvest? Is the Adventist emphasis on numbers justified?
What about the talk about the number of stars in a person's crown, how much credit should a person get for the salvation of another person?
In our zeal for the church do we drive some members away? Can we be held accountable for the departure of some members or is that their own responsibility?
Why does God involve humans in the gospel commission when angels could have done it?

The Wait is Over

How correct is this statement: "If you accept Jesus as the bridegroom, you have to accept the church as his bride? Can you reject the church and still have Jesus?
Why are tears wiped away only in the new earth and not in heaven?

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.