ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 5 (April 27-May 3), Wise Words for Families

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, 29 April 2019

Lesson 5 (April 27-May 3), Wise Words for Families

Love the Right Woman

Why is having sex called "making love?" What is real "making love" like?
Why is the path to death likened to playing around with adultery
What are the benefits of marital faithfulness?

A Call to Fathers

Why do sons who view their mother being abused in turn abuse their wives?
What is the greatest example a father can set for his son?
Were the kings of Israel mostly like their fathers or opposite? What makes the difference?

Correction with Love

Can alternate forms of punishment always be found, or is it sometimes necessary to spank a child?
What effect does punishment in anger/frustration have on a child?
What effect does cuddling a child after disciplining him/her have on a child?

Is life Better on a Rooftop

How should one respond when the spouse is constantly nagging, discuss it, remain silent, or go away?
When can joking to ease tension sometimes backfire?
How can partners identify irritants in the spouse's behaviour?

A Truly Wealthy Wife

Does a noble woman make herself rich or her husband?
Why is there no poem on the "Noble Husband" in the book of Proverbs?
What effect does reading a poem on the ideal wife in Prov 31 have on women who read it? What effect does it have on men?

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.