ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (April 7-13), Daniel and the End Time

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, 10 April 2018

Lesson 2 (April 7-13), Daniel and the End Time

How can we know which dreams are given by God?

Faithful in What is Least

Which is more common, compromise in small matters or in weighty issues?
Why didn't Daniel just pray by his bedside instead of by the window, so that his enemies would not see him?
How much can one's diet influence one's intelligence?

The Humility of Daniel

Does the European Union disprove the prophecy of Dan 2 regarding the toes of iron and clay?
What convinced Nebuchanezzar that Daniel was telling the truth when he explained his dream, that he rewarded him immediately?
Are our achievements more by personal effort than Daniel's interpretation of the king's dream that he gave all credit to God, and we often do not?

The Golden Image

How could the king forget the power of the God of the Hebrews despite earlier indications?
Why would it have been wrong for Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego to bow down like the others on the plain, even if they prayed to their own God while bowed?
What would have been the lesson from the story if the three Hebrews had been burnt up in the fire? Why does God allow some of His witnesses to be consumed?

Conversion of the Gentiles

Did the Hebrews fail to follow up after deliverance from the fiery furnace, and the lions den? Could the whole nation have been converted?
What lessons apply to us as we prepare for possible death decrees in the last days?
Why is pride considered the worst sin?

The Faithfulness of Daniel

How much faith did King Darius have in Daniel's God? What do you think made him believe like that?
How can we have as good a reputation as Daniel did? Why did his colleagues respond negatively to his good character?
Was the witness of the Israelites in captivity better than it could have been when they were free?

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.