ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 11 (Dec 9-15), The Elect

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.

Wednesday, 13 December 2017

Lesson 11 (Dec 9-15), The Elect

Christ and the Law

Why is it legalism to feel good about not doing bad things, and about doing good things?
What does "end" mean? What are various ways we can understand Paul when he says that "Christ is the end of the law?"

The Election of Grace

Did God reject the Jews as a nation or as individuals?
Is it fair for God to give the Jews a second chance?

The Natural Branch

Does a grafted branch have the same rights as a natural branch? Do adopted children have the same rights as natural children?
Does a natural branch have any advantages over the grafted one? If so, is that fair to the grafted one? If not, is that fair to the natural branch?

All Israel Shall Be Saved

What does "all the world" mean? Was the gospel ever preached to all the world? How much more, if any, do we have to do now?
What will it take for a Jew to be saved now? Is sincerity enough, or must one become a Christian?

The Salvation of Sinners

Did Paul have a special burden for Jews of whom he was one?
Is it easier or more difficult to convert your own people?
Have Adventists done enough to attract Jews to Christianity seeing that we have so much in common?

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.