ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 13 (Dec 22-28), Final Restoration of Unity

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, 24 December 2018

Lesson 13 (Dec 22-28), Final Restoration of Unity

The Certainty of Christ's Return

Why do other Christian denominations besides Adventists not speak of the return of Jesus?
Why did the Adventist church at the last GC session change the wording of our fundamental belief on the second coming from "Christ's coming is imminent" to "Christ's coming is near?" What difference does it make?

The Promise of Restoration

What, if anything, does re-creation have in common with recreation?
Why does God want to bother restoring this world and its people?

Restoration and Restored Relationships

Can one go to heaven who has problems with relationships on earth, or do those have to be addressed before one can go to heaven?
What kinds of changes can one expect when this mortality puts on immortality?

A New Earth for the Redeemed

If there had been no sin would humanity have been less diverse in terms of cultures and races?
How much uniformity will the New Earth bring in through unity? How much diversity can we expect in heaven?

Life on the New Earth

With so much time in eternity why can't we expect boredom and temptation again?
What will drive compliance in heaven?

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.