ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 7 (Nov 5-11), Retributive Punishment

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, 5 November 2016

Lesson 7 (Nov 5-11), Retributive Punishment

More Accusations

What drives people to be "traditional," to follow the "faith of the fathers," to be against anything new?
Why does God allow Satan to take the lives of Job's innocent children?
Did Job's sacrifices for his children "in case they have sinned in their hearts," do any good for them?
Is there absolute order in nature or can a plant flourish against all odds--no proper soil, inadequate water, etc?

Less Than Your Iniquity Deserves

Is it appropriate for younger persons to allow older ones to speak first?
Is it profitable to try to understand the mysteries of God?
Is it okay to tell a person Job 11:12 applies to you ("But a stupid man will get understanding when a donkey's colt is born a man")?

Divine Retribution

Why were Job's three friends so anxious to prove that Job was guilty of something or the other?
Why do we want to see the wicked punished?
Do most people consider themselves "good?"

If the Lord Creates a New Thing

Did God uniformly bless Israel with prosperity when they were faithful to him, and send disaster upon them when they were unfaithful? If so why did they lapse into idolatry so often? If not, why not? Had he promised to do so?
Did individual Israelites in the Old Testament get away with unconfessed sin?

The Second Death

Why does God want to burn Satan and the wicked people in hell fire?Why not just mercifully put them to death?
Will hell be of fire, or could God use something more technologically advanced?
Will the new earth automatically be sin free in the absence of a devil, or could humans tempt themselves and dismiss it?

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.