ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 3 (Oct 14-20), The Human Condition

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, 17 October 2017

Lesson 3 (Oct 14-20), The Human Condition

The Power of the Gospel

Can God transform a person so that he or she is not tempted (interested) to do wrong even though Satan tries hard to tempt the person?
Is it appropriate to pray that God will remove temptations? Or should we pray for strength to overcome them? What does "Lead us not into temptation" mean?

All Have Sinned

Have all really sinned? What about Enoch whom God took to heaven, and Job, whom God upheld to Satan as blameless and upright?
Are humans basically good or basically bad; righteous or wicked? Deep in one's heart is there a desire to be good or bad?
When we look around do we see more persons worse than we are or better than we are?
What is self-righteousness?

Progress

In what ways, if any is the world getting better? In what ways, if any, is the world getting worse?
Is it possible that the world is not getting better or worse but we tend to look back at the "good old days," or focus on the bad things of the past?
In general, are people getting closer to God or getting further away?

What Jews and Gentiles Share in Common

Would you as an individual consider yourself closer to God now than ten years ago?
Are you more strict with such issues as Sabbath keeping now or ten years ago?
Are Christians better people than non-Christians?

The Gospel and Repentance

If a person fails to repent what does it mean? Do some people repent more easily than others? What can one do to make repentance easier?
Can I forgive one who does not repent? Does it benefit the person who has wronged me? Why or why not?

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.