ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (October 1-7), The Great Controversy

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.

Saturday, 1 October 2016

Lesson 2 (October 1-7), The Great Controversy

Have Adventists overused the term Great Controversy to the point that we don't think of what it really involves? Is there another term (besides "cosmic conflict") which can capture the full meaning?

A Little Heaven on Earth

Do you think Satan had tried to catch Job during his good days? What are some of the things that lead a prosperous person away from God? Why do we associate a saint with austerity?
By using the adjectives "blameless" and "upright" for Job does the author intend for us to believe that Job had never sinned?
When does "temptation" become "sin in the heart" which Job was worried about and of which he sacrificed for his children.
What made Job think that his sacrifices for his children would atone for their sin? How effective are prayers of parents and pastors on behalf of others?
How should I respond when young people text me and say, "pastor pray for me?" How effective will my prayers be?

Cosmic Conflict

Does Satan still have access to heaven?
Why did God choose to reveal to the readers the debate in heaven between him and Satan?
Why was the debate in heaven hidden from Job? Would it have been wrong for him to know who was responsible for his misfortunes?
Why did God entertain the challenge of one of his creatures? Couldn't he have just dismissed him saying, "I know everything?"

The Conflict on Earth

Why is Satan so intent on fighting with humans? What does he have against us?
Is Satan responsible for all destructive storms, earthquakes?
Is Satan responsible for all wars? Does he get anything out of two non-Christian groups fighting each other?
Does God allow Satan's angels to roam the earth creating mischief as they like?

Job as a Microcosm

How true is the statement: "To explain the origin of sin would be to excuse it"?
Why would a number of angels have joined Lucifer?
How will life in the new earth be without a Satan? Is sin possible without a tempter?

Answers at the Cross

How does a person who does not know about Jesus find solutions to the problem of the suffering of the righteous? Did Job know about the plan of salvation?
Why does Satan disappear from the book after troubling Job?
How has the cross changed things for Satan? How does he attack humans today?

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.