ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 9 (May 25-31), Times of Loss

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.

Wednesday, 29 May 2019

Lesson 9 (May 25-31), Times of Loss

Loss of Health

Is anyone ever in perfect health?
Is the world getting more or less healthy?
Can Satan cause sickness and hurt?
Why should one pray for healing when God knows our suffering and desires?

Loss of Trust

Why would people let down someone who trusts them?
What would it take for someone who has betrayed your trust to earn your trust again?
Why do so many Indian wives feel a husband's violence is justified under certain circumstances? Is it ever?
What are ways besides adultery and violence which cause a person to lose trust in a marriage partner? Which are most serious? Why?
How common is violence against husbands? Why is so little said about that?
Does violence work? Why do persons keep resorting to violence? What are alternatives to violence?

Loss of Freedom

What are things that people get addicted to? What are symptoms of addiction?
Is propensity to addiction a physiological or mental?
Is addiction a sin?

Loss of Life

Is God responsible for death? Was death as a penalty for sin compulsory?
Why are a person's badness less remembered than their goodness after his/her death?
How soon after the death of a spouse is it reasonable to remarry?

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.