ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 7 (May11-17), Keys to Family Unity

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.

Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Lesson 7 (May11-17), Keys to Family Unity

Christ the Centre

Why do so many Christians feel closer to their non-family friends than they do to their own relatives who are not Christians?
How can parents ensure that they keep non-Christian family members as close as possible?
What are some reasons that Adventists leave the church? If it is not doctrinal, how can that situation be helped?

Becoming One Through His Love

On a scale of 1-10, how united is the Adventist church as a whole? Is lack of unity an indication that Christ is not in the church?
How united were the disciples of Jesus? How much love had they experienced, and how much did they demonstrate?
How much room is there for disagreement in the church? IN the family?

Selfishness, Family Destroyer

How much should one love one's self if we have to love others like we love ourself?
Are humans born selfish or do we become that way?
Why are humans selfish? What do we lose by being selfless?

Submission

Why does Paul instruct wives to submit to their husbands and not husbands to their wives? How does this stack with his opening command to "submit to one another?"
How can a wife get her way when she wishes to?
Is it true that husbands say sorry more often after a fight even if it is not their fault? Should one say sorry just to end a quarrel?

Living the Love We Promise

Which family in the Bible is the best example of good relations between parents and children?
Which siblings in the Bible are the best model of getting along well?
Which couple in the Bible is the best inspiration for couples today?

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.