ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 10 (Aug 31-Sept 6), Living the Gospel

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.

Saturday, 31 August 2019

Lesson 10 (Aug 31-Sept 6), Living the Gospel

For God So Loved . . .

What does "world" mean? What does God love so much that He gave His only son?
Did Jesus die for the world or for individuals?
What is the evidence that God loves the population of the entire world?

Compassion and Repentence

What was it that moved Jesus to compassion?
What does Satan get out of creating so much pain and hurt in this world?
What is the connection between sin and suffering?

Grace and Good Works

What is the relationship between grace and good works
What is the relationship between faith and grace?
Does doing good to the poor have any effect upon our mental and physical health?

Our Common Humanity

Were there any that Jesus did not treat with compassion? What about the leaders?
Why are humans respecters of persons? Does every society have a community of people who are looked down upon as somewhat unequal?
Were the Samaritans despised for any fault of their own?
Were the Jews, as the chosen people, justified in feeling superior?

The Everlasting Gospel

Why did "people" have to be included in the list of "every nation, tribe, language, and people?"
Has everyone in the world felt the effects of injustice?
What is the relationship between worship and caring for the disadvantaged? Why does social awareness have to be a religious duty?
If God created all humans equal, how did inequality arise?

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.