ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 7 (Nov 9-15), Our Forgiving God

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, 12 November 2019

Lesson 7 (Nov 9-15), Our Forgiving God

Fasting and Worship

How responsible are children for the sins of their fathers? Why did the Israelites need to repent for their ancestors' sins?
To what extent were children rewarded or punished for the actions of their parents in the history of Israel?
How does the Holy Spirit help those who read the Bible?

Beginning of the Prayer

How should prayers begin and why?
What makes Abraham father of those who have faith when he failed to trust God to protect him and his wife?
Why is the doctrine of creation so important to our faith?

Lessons from the Past

Why is confession of sin important? How does conceding the sin of long past ancestors help?
What comes first, confession or repentance?
What lessons does one learn from past experiences of confession?

The Law and the Prophets

Why do people forget God during periods of plenty?
Why does God give gifts that make people fat?
In what ways is it a blessing to have and know God's law?
Is the law enough for salvation? How necessary is it to have prophets?

Praise and Petition

How important is it to plan a prayer? Are prayers especially those to be said in public in church better read or delivered from the heart spontaneously?
Is it better to be a servant or a slave of God?
Why do people place their petition at the end of a prayer instead of getting straight to the point?

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.