ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 7 (Aug 10-16), Jesus and Those in Need

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.

Tuesday, 13 August 2019

Lesson 7 (Aug 10-16), Jesus and Those in Need

Mary's Song

If you could choose any home to be born into, what features would you wish for? What kind of parents would you want?
What kind of following would Jesus have had if he had chosen to come from a royal home?
How welcome would the poor/poorly dressed feel in our Adventist churches today?

Jesus' Mission Statement

What do you think disturbed the priests in the temple when Jesus said he was the one Isaiah had written about?
How well were the Jews taking care of the poor and needy at the time of Jesus?
How well did the disciples of Jesus fulfil His mission to the poor?

Jesus Heals

Did Jesus purposely heal the sick on Sabbath or was it a coincidence?
Why did Jesus instruct those he had healed to not tell others about it?
Did Jesus heal all those who came to him or did he select only those who exhibited the right attitude?

Clearing the Temple

Why did the priests wish to do away with Jesus? What threat did He pose?
Why couldn't the priests learn from Jesus?
How well did priests and prophets get along in Bible times?

The Cross of Christ

What types of terrible suffering did Jesus undergo? What types if any did He not face?
What examples are there of Jesus ministering to the rich and more powerful? Why are there so few of those who responded to Jesus?
What keeps us from responding to the needs of the poor more than we are?

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.