ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 6 (Nov 4-10), Adam and Jesus

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.

Monday, 6 November 2017

Lesson 6 (Nov 4-10), Adam and Jesus

Justified by Faith

How can one know if he or she has been justified?
What type of sufferings come to a saved person that he or she can rejoice in? Is it necessary to suffer?
Is there anything one can do to promote spirituality or is everything in salvation the work of God?

While Yet Sinners

Why does God take the initiative to save humans?
Why is a mediator needed? Is the Father angry with humans?
What is the relationship between love and anger?

Death Through Sin

Why didn't God prevent Adam and Eve from having children? Why should all humanity become subject to death just because Adam and Eve sinned? Why did God not punish them with death as promised?
What do we inherit? Sin? Penalty for sin? Propensity to sin?
Once Adam sinned did he become more susceptible to sin or less prone to sin?

From Adam to Moses

What was the new situation that made it necessary for God to give humans the Ten Commandments at Sinai? Why did He not give it earlier?
How did people on earth know what was right and wrong before the Ten Commandments were given?
How much of the Decalogue can one sense through nature?

Jesus the Second Adam

Did Jesus have to have our weakened nature or was He allowed to have the same nature as Adam? Did He have any advantage over us?
Even if Christ had the same unfallen nature of Adam what would have made it harder for Jesus than it was for Adam in the Garden of Eden?
Why would it have been wrong for Jesus to use His divine nature to overcome temptation?

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.