ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 3 (Oct 8-14), Does Job Fear God for Naught?

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.

Thursday, 13 October 2016

Lesson 3 (Oct 8-14), Does Job Fear God for Naught?

God's Servant Job

What draws humans to serve God?
What drives humans away from serving God?
Why is life not fair?

Skin for Skin

Did God have a right to claim victory after Job remained faithful despite losing all his wealth and children?
Was Satan justified in insinuating that God could not claim that Job's worship and loyalty was without motives as long as God did not give him (Satan) a totally free hand in testing him?
How much is a perfect body or good health worth? Is it true that a person will give up all wealth for health?

Blessed be the Name of the Lord

What is the difference in Job's two responses: (1) God has given, God has taken," and (2) Shall we accept good from God and not evil?"
What enabled Job to remain steadfast in his faith in God?
In claiming that Job would "curse" God to his face, why would Satan actually use the word "bless" to mean curse? Why would Job bless the "name" of the Lord?

Job's Wife

Why do you think Satan spared Job's wife and let her live?
Can we draw any conclusions from the fact that Job's wife did not succumb to the losses of wealth and children and only when her husband's body was afflicted so badly?
Is there a difference in calling a person "fool," and "foolish?" Is there a difference in calling a person "foolish," and charging a person as "speaking as a fool?"

Obedience unto Death

When the Bible says that Job did not sin with his lips, are we to read beyond that--that his faith might have wavered in his heart?
Is it fatal to have some moments of doubt?
Why didn't God use a person like Job in the Garden of Eden instead of Adam?

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.