ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 11 (Dec 3-9), Out of the Whirlwind

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, 4 December 2016

Lesson 11 (Dec 3-9), Out of the Whirlwind

Out of the Whirlwind

Do we need a voice to know God's power and might through a cyclone?
Does a cyclone appear suddenly or is there warning?
Could Job's friends also hear the voice that Job heard?
Why did God not answer Job earlier?

God's Question

Why does God ask humans questions? What did he hope to achieve through questioning Job?
Were God's questions for Job's benefit or for the friends' benefit?
Does God expect humans not to question him?

The Lord as Creator

Why would God discuss creation with Job rather than justice and fairness?
Does order in creation, the physical universe prove order in the moral universe?
Does it make any difference that Satan was present when the world was created?

The Wisdom of the Wise

Do we today know more than any other generation in the history of the universe?
Is the Bible supposed to be accurate in everything that it says about science?
Will God allow humans to migrate to other planets?

Repenting in Dust and Ashes

What did Job mean by saying he repented?
What did God communicate to Job that silenced him, or was it just being in the presence of God that quieted him?
Are the Leviathan and Behemoth real animals or symbolic?

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.