ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (July 6-12) Blueprint for a Better World.

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, 18 July 2019

Lesson 2 (July 6-12) Blueprint for a Better World.

The God Who Hears

Why would God keep His people in slavery for four hundred years? Wouldn't a few years have been enough for a lesson?
Does God pick a leader who fits his needs best, or does he prepare one over the years?
What difference to the Israelites did the experience of slavery make?

The Ten Commandments

Why did God wait till the Exodus to deliver to humans the Ten Commandments?
What did God wish the Ten Commandments to accomplish?
Why did God wait till the time of Jesus to explain the extent of the commandments to cover thoughts and intentions?
What does the experience of the Rich Young Ruler tell us about the Ten Commandments?

Slaves, Widows, Foreigners, Fatherless.

What about the risks in housing strangers and foreigners?
Do obligations to widows include divorcees and single old spinsters?
Should servants today be treated as Israelites treated Hebrew servants or foreign servants?

Second Tithing

How is a second tithe different from the first tithe?
What is the "storehouse" that we are supposed to bring all the tithes into according to Malachi?
Are Adventists the only denomination to practice tithing? What do clergy of other denominations live on?
Why does misuse of tithe by the church not release one from the obligation to return tithe to God?

The Year of Jubilee

What can we infer, if anything, from the fact that there is no record of observing a Year of Jubilee in the Bible?
How did inequity come about in Israelite society? Didn't Joshua distribute land equally? And didn't the Year of Jubilee restore equality?
What is the message of the Year of Jubilee for us 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.