ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 6 (May 4-10), The Royal Love Song

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, 4 May 2019

Lesson 6 (May 4-10), The Royal Love Song

Indivisible Life

What do we mean when we say "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak?"
Why do humans wear clothes? Why do some cultures expose parts of the body that others don't?
How can parents address the matter of sex to help children grow up with a healthy attitude to it?

The Loves of the Love Song

Why would Jews not be allowed to read this book till they were thirty years of age or married?
Who is more romantic, man or woman?
Can a person fall in true love with more than one person?

A Loving Knowledge

What is the connection between "love" and "spring"? Why do lovers frequent gardens?
Why is love exclusive and possessive, leaving no room for another?
What is the connection between love and poetry?

Love at the Right Time

Why did people in certain ages marry as soon as they matured? What made it acceptable then and unacceptable now?
Why should people wait till they are married before they engage in sex? Is there such a thing as sexually compatible or incompatible?
Did God make men more interested in sex than women?

Safeguarding the Creator's Gift

Why did God not create Adam and Eve together at the same time as he did for animals? What was special in the way He created them?
How can those who find themselves with a different orientation to sex and genders find peace and on this earth?
Will humans have sex in the new earth?

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.