ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (Oct 5-11), Nehemiah

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, 5 October 2019

Lesson 2 (Oct 5-11), Nehemiah

Nehemiah Receives Bad News

Why would God have allowed the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem to have suffered when He himself had decreed their return?
Why would some of the exiles have stayed back in Babylon when the 70 years were up and the captivity over?
What business of it was Nehemiah's for him to get so disturbed about the news of the state of Jerusalem?

Nehemiah's Prayer

Why is it important for us to begin with praise and adoration when we pray?
Is it necessary to confess sins before making a petition from God?
Does God need to be reminded of the promises He has made which need to be fulfilled? Why is Nehemiah trying to persuade Him to help?

Nehemiah Speaks Out

How do you think one becomes a cup-bearer for a king? What qualities does such a person have to demonstrate in order to get a job like that? Should the cup bearer have also been responsible for tasting the food of the king before he ate it too?
Why do some people fast when they have a petition to make? Does it help in getting the prayer answered?
How important is it to use the right words when making a request?

Nehemiah Sent

Why would Israel's neighbors not want her to be restored properly?
From Israel's past record were they justified in being concerned?
How significant is it to have a Hebrew name? Why didn't that guarantee sympathy from Tobiah?

Nehemiah Prepares for His Task

What do you think convinced the people, the priests, the nobles, and the officials to cooperate with Nehemiah?
What qualities of Nehemiah qualified him for the task to be done? Which of his characteristics was the most important?
Why did God keep Nehemiah waiting for four months before creating the opportunity to speak his heart to the king?

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.