ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (June 16-22), Babylon and Armageddon

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, 17 June 2018

Lesson 12 (June 16-22), Babylon and Armageddon

The Wine of Her Wrath

What is the difference between building the Tower of Babel and constructing a skyscraper today?
Which was worse, Babylon or Rome? What did each do that made God and the prophets condemn them?
Is the imagery of Jerusalem in the end better than Babylon considering all the advantages the city had?

Babylon is Fallen

Can true worshippers be found in Babylon?
When is the time to call people out of Babylon?
Why is Babylon allowed to become Babylon?

Armageddon

Why are secular people interested in Armageddon? Do they believe in it?
Will God's people have to fight in the Battle of Armageddon, or will God fight for them?
Is Armageddon a literal or spiritual battle?

Armageddon and Mount Carmel

Why might the Revelator specify Mount Megiddo (Har mageddo) when Megiddo is a plain? If he meant the nearby Mt Carmel, why didn't he say so plainly?
What does Mt Carmel have to do with the last battle? What was Elijah"s role on the mountain?
Why did the Israelites turn to worship Baal so often?
Why are there more false prophets than true prophets? Has the smaller group always been the true people of God?
What makes false prophets think they are true prophets? Why did people think Baal was the true god?
Has the battle of Armageddon started?

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.