ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 8 (Aug 12-18), From Slaves to Heirs

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.

Friday, 18 August 2017

Lesson 8 (Aug 12-18), From Slaves to Heirs

Our Condition in Christ

At what point does one become a son or daughter of Christ?
Does anything happen to a person being baptised or has that already happened before? Is baptism only a sign of an inward change, or is it more than that? Is it a sacrament by which anything spiritual is conveyed?

Enslaved to Elementary Principles

So if the law is a temporary "guardian," or "tutor," when do we not need it any more?
Is the law more important for children than for adults?

God Sent Forth His Son

Did God send His son when the world was "in the fulness of time," for Him, or did He prepare the world for His coming? Was the date flexible? What about the second coming, is the date flexible or fixed?
Why did Christ have to become a human in order to save humans? Cannot God do whatever He wants to?

The Privileges of Adoption

If we are adopted as God's children are we second-class family members? Are adopted children equal to those born into the family?
Do parents love adopted children as much, and do they enjoy the same privileges?

Why Turn Back to Slavery

What causes children to get fed up of being part of a family?
Why do some members leave the church?
Are Adventists in danger of falling back into slavery to the law?

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.