ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 4 (Apr 21-27), Salvation 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.

Sunday, 22 April 2018

Lesson 4 (Apr 21-27), Salvation and the End Time

The Love of the Father

What did Jesus mean that if people had seen Him that they had seen the Father? In what way or ways is that true?
Why do you think the disciples had asked Jesus to show them the Father?
If the Father as Judge has the same attitude to us as Jesus why do we need an Advocate?

The Love of Christ

Does "all have sinned . . . " include Enoch and Job? How could Enoch be taken to heaven if he was a sinner? Doesn't the Bible say that God pointed Job to Satan as blameless and upright?
Did Jesus have an advantage over us in keeping God's law? Was keeping to the law before Jesus incarnation not enough to save humans?
What does it mean that Jesus was "fully man?"

The Love of the Spirit

Why are Christians baptised in the name of all three members of the Godhead?
Why is the third member of the Trinity called "Spirit" if He is as much a person as the Father and the Son?
How does the love of the Spirit for humans compare with the love the Father and of the Son? What evidence is there for that?
What does the Bible mean by "Love of the Father, Grace of Jesus, and Communion/fellowship of the Holy Spirit?" Are those mutually agreed roles flexible or fixed?

Assurance of Salvation

When another Christian asks if we are saved or not, what is meant? Can a person know if he/she is saved or going to be saved?
What is the difference between "faith" and "presumption" in terms of our salvation?
What is meant by "once saved, always saved?" How much truth is in that concept?

The Everlasting Gospel

What is meant by "everlasting" gospel?" Does it have no beginning and no end?
How much a part do we have in our salvation?
How much a role are we to play in the salvation of others?
Is it easier to be saved or lost?

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.