ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 8 (May 19-25), Worship the Creator

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, 22 May 2018

Lesson 8 (May 19-25), Worship the Creator

The Universality of the Gospel

Do those nations, tongues and peoples who hear the everlasting and universal gospel have an advantage over those who have missed hearing it?
Why has God entrusted the spread of the gospel to unreliable human beings?
Is spreading the gospel of more benefit to those hearing it or those imparting it?

The Thief on the Cross and the Everlasting Gospel

What leads people to a career of theft? Why is stealing wrong?
What kinds of activities are included in theft? In what ways might modern people fbe guilty of theft in everyday life?
What kind of characters did the thieves on the cross display prior to the one asking Jesus to save him? What made Jesus so willing to save him?

Fear God and Give Glory to Him

What is the difference between being afraid of God and "fearing" Him? What is the relationship between "fearing" God and giving Him glory?
Why do several Bible texts (such as Job1:1) connect "fearing God" with obeying Him and "shunning evil?" What does it accomplish if a person avoids sin?
Why would Bible writers use the term "fear" for one who obeys God?

The Hour of His Judgment is Come

In the judgment are humans the defendants (accused), or the plaintiffs (accuser), neither, or both?
In the judgment do we have to plead guilty or not guilty?
When will/did the judgment begin and when will it end?

Worship the One Who Made the Heavens and the Earth

What did the angel mean when he qualified God as the creator?
Do Adventists truly keep the Sabbath as a memorial of creation? Is it necessary to think of creation on the Sabbath?
Why does God wish humans to remember that He created them and the whole world?

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.