ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 3 (Oct 13-19), That They All May Be One

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.

Monday, 15 October 2018

Lesson 3 (Oct 13-19), That They All May Be One

Jesus Prays for Himself

Why did Jesus need to pray for Himself? Could He not do everything the Father could?
How is knowing God eternal life? Can one know God through other gods?
Why did Job say he knew God before his affliction through hearing and after his affliction by seeing? How serious is the difference? Wasn't his earlier knowledge of God sufficient for his salvation?

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

Why did Jesus have reason to be concerned about his disciples? Why didn't Jesus address their disunity himself instead of praying to God for them to be one?
Shouldn't unity come from within the group rather than from above? What is the attitude that leads to unity?
What does it mean to be "not of this world?"

For Those Who Will Believe in Me

Why was Jesus so concerned about unity of Christians? Would a united Christianity have been more effective than many smaller denominations working in different ways?
How are the Father and Jesus in unity but not in uniformity?
Why did Jesus make no mention of the Holy Spirit in the unity he shared with His Father?

Unity Among Christians

Should Adventists participate in ecumenical movements to unite Christianity?
Should Adventists engage in fellowship activities with other Christians?
When Jesus used the term "not of this world," did he mean non Christians or non Adventists?

Our Faith Shared in Love

On a scale of 1-10 how united is the Adventist church?
Is it possible to really love people we don't know intimately? Aren't there some people whom loving would be burdensome? If there are how is it more our problem than theirs?
Is something wrong if it is necessary to sacrifice in order to love?

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.