ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 1 (June 24-30) Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

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.

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Lesson 1 (June 24-30) Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

Why was a scholar like Paul prejudiced against accepting Jesus as the Messiah?

Persecutor of Christians

Why is religion the major basis for persecution?
Why do you think Saul preferred to guard the cloaks than throw stones at Stephen?
What effect does the death of a martyr have on onlookers?
Is there a way to speak your way out of getting stoned?

Saul's Conversion

How can people get brainwashed and radicalized? How can they be deprogrammed?
What about his encounter on the road to Damascus convinced Saul it was Jesus speaking to him?
What makes it difficult to convert our thinking from one side to the other?
Which is more common, a sudden or a gradual conversion?

Saul in Damascus

Why do you think God struck Saul with blindness rather than deafness? What different things do sight and hearing symbolize?
Why do you think God chose to send Saul to Ananias rather than to one of the apostles?
What made it preferable to send the converted Saul to evangelize the gentiles?

The Gospel Goes to the Gentiles

Why were the Jews so reluctant to take the gospel to the gentiles abroad?
What challenges would Paul face after his conversion?
Would we today have preferred for Paul to reach out to his former colleagues--pharisees?
Does God bring persecution and exile so that the gospel can be spread faster?

Conflict Within the Church

Why are church members happy to welcome new members, but concerned when huge numbers pour in?
Why did the Jewish Christians want the gentile converts to conform to the Mosaic laws?
Did Jesus intend to establish a new religion or could Judaism have flowed into Christianity?
What turned Paul from a persecutor into a persecuted person?

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.