ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (Sept 15-21), Confinement in Caesarea

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, 16 September 2018

Lesson 12 (Sept 15-21), Confinement in Caesarea

Before Felix

Is it okay for a Christian to go to court in order to get justice? Does it make any difference if the accused is a Christian or not?
How should a Christian respond to a lawyer who misrepresents the truth?
What does the Bible say about giving and receiving bribes? Are both in the same bracket?

Before Festus

Why were Roman rulers anxious to please the Jews? Why could Paul not trust the Jewish leaders? What was the attitude of the Jewish Christian leaders to Paul? Were they helpful or not?
Was it worth two years of Paul's suffering in Caesarea to have an opportunity to witness to Felix and Festus?
Does delay in court decisions benefit the plaintiff or the defendant?

Before Agrippa

Why would King Agrippa come to pay respects to the governor Festus? Who was more powerful?
How is it possible for young kings who are still minors to command loyalty from older statesmen?
Why is it wrong for a Agrippa to marry his sister?

Paul's Defense

Why did Paul repeatedly mention his Pharisaical background? Was he proud of that?
How much did others believe Paul's report of his conversion experience on the road to Damascus when he described it to them?
Should governments permit or ban conversion?

Paul Before the Leaders

What is incompatible between immortality of the soul and the idea of resurrection?
Why did Agrippa feel that one cannot become Christian in such a short time?
Why was it not possible to free Paul once he had appealed to Caesar? Had Paul made a mistake in appealing to Caesar?

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.