ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (Mar 16-22), Judgment on Babylon

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.

Saturday, 16 March 2019

Lesson 12 (Mar 16-22), Judgment on Babylon

The Harlot Babylon

Why would political powers be interested in associating with religious powers?
If political powers would ally with the true religion would that be acceptable? Would forced worship on the seventh day (such as in Nepal), bring on God's seal?
Why do we associate the term "drunk" with power?

The Harlot Riding on the Scarlet Beast

Why is harlotry considered the extremity of sin?
Why would a harlot be clothed in such colours as purple and scarlet? How much does colour reveal about a person?
Why do people kill in the name of religion? Is there anything that causes more deaths than religion?

The Identification of the Scarlet Beast

What makes ecumenism so attractive?
Why are Adventists so against ecumenism?
Has the Adventist church isolated itself too much from other Christians?

The Seven Heads of the Beast

Why is the Roman empire considered the last in history? What about the British Empire? The Spanish? The French? The Russian?
Why is the European Union not considered in relation to Bible prophecy?

The Judgment of Babylon

What will make the people realize in the end that they have been deceived?
Do the leaders of false religions know that they are misleading people or are they convinced they have the truth?

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.