ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 7 (Aug 11-17), Paul's First Missionary Journey

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.

Wednesday, 15 August 2018

Lesson 7 (Aug 11-17), Paul's First Missionary Journey

Salamis and Paphos

Was the laying on of hands on Paul and Barnabas before they set out on the first missionary journey an ordination or commission? Who laid hands on them? What authority did they have to perform this ceremony?
Why were the twelve disciples not "ordained?"
Why is the Bible record silent about what happened to Elymas after he was struck with blindness? How probable is it that he was converted by that event as Saul/Paul was?

Pisidian Antioch

Why do we think that order in lists (Barnabas and Saul/Paul and Barnabas), indicates primacy? Was James superior to John? What order do we use for the sons of Adam and sons of Isaac, and the sons of Amram, and what does it signify?
How significant is a name? Why do persons change names? Why would Luke use the name Paul instead of Saul for his ministry years?
Is a call to the ministry for life or may a pastor (such as Timothy), give up the ministry?
What is the purpose of including Paul's sermons in the history book of Acts?
Does Paul teach more in support of the law, or does he seem against it? What influences his attitude to the law?
How come Paul and other apostles were allowed to speak in the temple and synagogues?
Can a person be both a Jew and a Christian?

Iconium

If the leaders of a community reject the truth and close their doors, are preachers excused from witnessing to that community? Is that how Paul and Barnabas felt indicated by "shaking the dust off their feet and leaving"?
Despite so much persecution, why did Paul persist with preaching first to the Jews before going to the gentiles?
Are Adventists justified in preaching to other Christians first or should we be taking the gospel to non-Christians first?

Lystra and Derbe

If Paul and Barnabas had known that the city would eventually turn against them, would they have still healed the cripple?
Should Paul and Barnabas have allowed the people of Lystra to believe they were gods and then convert them all?
Why didn't Paul and Barnabas perform another miracle to dispel the crowd that was stoning them?

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.