ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (July 7-13), Pentecost

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 July 2018

Lesson 2 (July 7-13), Pentecost

The Coming of the Spirit

What evidence is there that the Holy Spirit is a separate individual and not just Jesus or the Father in spirit form?
Why do you think the Spirit chose to appear with wind and fire?
What was the significance, if any, for the Holy Spirit to come on the Feast of Pentecost?
Why was the Spirit given to Jesus at His baptism. Is the Spirit given to us at baptism too?

The Gift of Tongues

Can we expect the gift of tongues (speaking in known languages), today as was manifest at Pentecost? Why was that gift given at that time and not now?
is it possible that some speaking in unknown tongues (which cannot be understood by anyone) be genuine gifts of the Spirit?
Why did some bystanders think the disciples were drunk if they could be understood?
Is the gift of tongues the ability to speak other languages without having to learn them, or the ability to learn languages easily?

Peter's Sermon

Was Peter justified in quoting Joel's prophecy as being fulfilled in the last days? When did the last days begin?
What was so convincing about Peter's sermon that 3000 were baptized?
How easy is it to believe in a resurrection?

The Exaltation of Jesus

How can Jesus be at the "right hand of the Father" when he ascended after His resurrection, and still enter the Most Holy place only in 1844? Isn't the Father in the Most Holy Place?
Why could the Spirit not be given till Jesus ascended into heaven? Wasn't the Spirit present on earth in the Old Testament times? What was different?
Wasn't Satan defeated at the cross? Couldn't the kingdom of heaven be inaugurated at that time instead of waiting till Pentecost?

The Firstfruits

How effective can a preacher be without the Holy Spirit? Can a human convert another sometimes or is conversion always the work of the Holy Spirit?
Why do we refer to those converted at Pentecost as the "first fruits?" When is the latter fruits?
What happens to sins then they are "remissioned/remitted?
How important is baptism for salvation?

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.