ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 3 (July 12-19), Sabbath, A Day of Freedom

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 3 (July 12-19), Sabbath, A Day of Freedom

Manna Enough

Why were Israelites restricted to an omer each of manna a day? Don't some people need more food than others?
Was collecting manna such a chore that it could not be done on Sabbath morning?

Two Reasons for Sabbath

Does the Sabbath commandment need a reason?
Does the week make the Sabbath or the Sabbath makes the week?
Does the new reason (deliverance from slavery) release non-Israelites from Sabbath observance?

A Day of Equality

Why is the fourth commandment so long? Why does this one have clarifications and qualifications that the other commands don't have?
Why does the fourth commandment mandate rest for servants but not for the wife?
What are some things that visitors to our homes are not to engage in on Sabbaths nowadays?

A Day of Healing

Is it okay to perform acts of benevolence which can be done on other days of the week be on the Sabbath?
Are nurses and doctors to work on Sabbath? What about other workers in hospitals without whom the hospital could not function, or not function as efficiently?
Why did Jesus heal on the Sabbath when he could have done it on any other day of the week?

Sabbath Rest for the Land

Why would there be no record of a jubilee or sabbatical year in Israelite history?
Is the Sabbatical year to be followed today also?
How should the principle of the jubilee year apply to caring for employees in the workplace or at home?

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.