ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 3 (Jan 12-18), Jesus' Message to the Seven Churches

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.

Thursday, 17 January 2019

Lesson 3 (Jan 12-18), Jesus' Message to the Seven Churches

Christ's Message to Smyrna and Pergamom

Why do some people want to persecute others who do not worship as they do? Are they always convinced that the victims are followers of Satan?
Why does God allow his people to be persecuted even if for a few years or even at all?
Do we have Balaams today? What would we expect them to do in our churches?

Christ's Message to Thyatira

What works of charity, service and faith can my church be commended for?
Do we have Jezebels in our churches today? How would we expect them to behave in our churches?

Christ's Message to Sardis

Is my church more dead than alive? What are signs of life and death in my church?
Who are such people who have not defiled their garments and are in white?

Christ's Message to Philadelphia

What is involved in brotherly love? How much brotherly love is manifest in my church today?
When does God want to shut the door? Doesn't he wish for everyone to be saved?

Christians in Laodecia

Why would any country, city or any individual refuse help, especially financial help in order to recover from any catastrophe?
Why is the last church a negative picture? Won't there be a final revival among God's people who will wait for his coming eagerly?

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.