ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 8 (Mar 2-8), God's Everlasting Gospel

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.

Friday, 8 March 2019

Lesson 8 (Mar 2-8), God's Everlasting Gospel

The Three Angel's Messages

What does "everlasting" mean? In what ways is the gospel from "everlasting to everlasting?"
If the three angels are giving the messages, how are we involved?
Why do the angels give the messages with a "loud" voice? What do we understand by the term "loud?"

The First Angel's Message

Does the word "fear" in "fear God," convey the intention correctly, or can a better word be used?
What is the connection between "fear" and "give glory?"
Can we know when the judgement is to begin? For how long can something be "at hand?"
How does each of the first four commandments connect to the idea of "worshiping" God?
Is worship on the seventh day automatically a sign of relationship with God?
How true is the statement that if the Sabbath had been kept properly, there would have been no theory of evolution?

The Second Angel's Message

Why is Babylon associated with false religion? Is it more false than other nations?
How is an apostate Christian religion more of a threat to God's remnant than a heathen religion?
How will we know when Babylon falls?

The Third Angel's Message

Can an Adventist be unknowingly a worshiper of the beast?
How can a kind and loving God burn his creatures with sulphur? What purpose does it serve?
Wouldn't an eternal fire be a better deterrent against sin and evil than a fire that burns itself out?

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.