ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 13 (June 22-28), Turning Hearts in the End Time

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.

Thursday, 27 June 2019

Lesson 13 (June 22-28), Turning Hearts in the End Time

The Prophecy of Turned Hearts

What made Elijah such an outstanding prophet? In what way was Elisha blessed with a double portion of his spirit? What was double?
What does it mean to "turn the hearts of the people?"
Can a person be reconciled to God who is not reconciled to his or her family?

Family Reunion

Why do you think that God sent Elijah to the widow of Zarephath? Who needed the relationship more, and how?
What made the widow of Zarephath, when her son died ask Elijah if he had come to remind her of her sin?
What makes family reunions rare?

Turning Hearts at the Altar

Why did Elijah kill all the false prophets after the experience on Mt Carmel? Wasn't everyone, even the false prophets convinced about the true God? Why did Israel lapse again into idol worship?
Why doesn't God convert people today through such miraculous methods as fire from heaven?
Can pastors today be expected to perform miracles like the Biblical prophets?

Turning Hearts at the Jordan

What about John the Baptist made people recall Elijah?
Why would people flock to hear someone who reminds them of their sins and calls for them to repent?
How was what John the Baptist did, a preparation for the messiah?

Turning Hearts in the Last Days

What is the Elijah message for these days? Who is to deliver it and to whom?
What is the relationship of the Elijah message to the three angels' messages?
What is our primary duty as Adventists, to preach the ten commandments or to preach, or to preach salvation by grace?

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.