ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 6 (Aug 3-9), Worship the Creator

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, 7 August 2019

Lesson 6 (Aug 3-9), Worship the Creator

Idolatry and Oppression

What could have made idolatry tempting for the Israelites? How could they have forgotten the awesome scene of God having spoken to them at Mt Sinai so quickly?
Does worship of idols made with gold and silver show deeper worship than that to idols made of stone wood and clay?
How might worship of idols affect our behavior and conduct?
On what basis do people select an image to worship?

A Reason to Worship

What draws people to worship? Is worship inherent in humans or is it learnt?
What makes people give credit to God for their successes? Is He blamed for failures also?
Why does God instruct us to help the poor and needy? Why doesn't He take care of them Himself?

Religous Oppressors

What could inspire worshipers such as the Israelites to combine elements of paganism with their worship of Yahweh. Can the true God be worshiped in ways other than He instructs?
What is connection between worship and social obligations?
Are Adventist members doing enough social work to satisfy our obligations? Do members need to get personally involved or is giving offerings and contributions to ADRA adequate?

A Way to Worship

Is it wrong to give to a beggar who might not be needy?
Is it possible to give to the needy in the wrong spirit?
Why have Adventists discontinued the practice of giving individual reports "home missionary" activities between Sabbath School and the Divine Service, such as persons helped, meals given away, articles of clothing donated, etc?

Mercy and Faithfulness

Is a caring attitude inherited or cultivated?
Does Mat 23:23 suggest that we can use tithe to help the poor and need?
Does the parable of the goats and sheep indicate that helping the poor and needy is more important than observing the right doctrines?

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.