ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 6 (Nov 2-8), The Reading of the Word

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.

Sunday, 3 November 2019

Lesson 6 (Nov 2-8), The Reading of the Word

What were the advantages in Nehemiah appointing his own brother as governor of Jerusalem? What were the disadvantages?

The People Gather

What benefits are there from a public reading of God's word over a private reading? How necessary is it to hear the actual words when the audience is the whole city and the meeting outdoors?
What contribution to faith does a festival make? How can one ensure that faith endures during festivities?
What does it mean for "all the people to assemble as one person?" How does that happen?

Reading and Hearing the Law

What is so interesting about the "law" that the people would listen for half a day?
What other parts of the Old Testament would have existed at that time and why would the law be preferred for reading that day?
How often does one need to hear the law? How would hearing in those days compare with hearing today?

Reading and Interpreting the Word

How much can the Bible be understood by plain reading? What are necessary tools for understanding the Bible better?
What advantages does the printed Word have over the digital versions? What advantages do the digital Bibles have over the printed ones? Why do we use the word "scroll" with smart screens?
How much can we trust preachers today to give the correct interpretation of the Bible?

The People's Response

Why did the people mourn and weep as the law was being read? Why did the leaders tell the people not to mourn?
How responsible were the people for their failure to have observed the law in their personal lives, and for the nation?
What makes Christianity arguably the happiest of all religions?

The Joy of the Lord

What is different in the strength that comes from joy and the strength that comes from fear?
What is suggested by the fact that the heads of families assembled again with the leaders to hear the Word once more the next day?
Considering that the people were almost wholly younger people who were not the ones taken into exile, or who had needed to be punished, what could have been their attitude to God's law?

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.