ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 3 (July 14-20), Life in the Early Church

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, 15 July 2018

Lesson 3 (July 14-20), Life in the Early Church

Teaching and Fellowship

Why does religion require fellowship?
How does one qualify to become a teacher of religion? How does one who does not have the education acquire the right to teach?
Why do people need churches for worship?

The Healing of a Lame Man

Why did Paul and Peter remain Jews, attending the temple etc?
What made them so bold and confident that the lame man would be healed?
Are there fewer miracles now compared to the early church or more? What makes the difference?

The Rise of Opposition

Why were the disciples allowed to worship in the temple?
What gives the right to refuse worship to any individual?
From where do religious leaders derive their authority, from God or from the people?

Ananias and Sapphira

Why did Ananias and Sapphire feel they had to declare the sum they were donating was the total they had received from the sale of their land?
What was sinful in holding back a portion of their proceeds from the sale?
Were the apostles responsible for their punishment or were they merely announcing God's response?

The Second Arrest

What made people think that merely touching Peter's shadow could cure them?
What would it have taken for the Priests and Sanhedrin to accommodate the teachings of the disciples of Christ? Was that possible?
Was Gamaliel correct in stating that any religious movement not from God would fizzle out and die?

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.