ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 1 (Dec 28-Jan 3), From Reading To

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, 28 December 2019

Lesson 1 (Dec 28-Jan 3), From Reading To

Why do portions of the Bible need explanation? What about those who have no one to help them understand? What might they lose for not understanding these portions correctly?

Christ: The Center of Daniel

What was God's purpose in giving humans His word through scripture?
Is there any book of the Bible that does not teach something about Jesus?
Why was Daniel used by God more than his three Hebrew companions in Babylon?
How can meditating about Christ daily help us through the day?

The Structure of Daniel

Why would portions of any literary work be in two languages?
What do we lose by not understanding the structure of a literary work? In today's world where do writers place their most important points?
Does God still install and remove leaders of countries?

Apocalyptic Prophecies in Daniel

Why would God want to reveal the future through apocalyptic prophecies with strange symbolism rather than straightforward foretelling?
Which books of the Bible if any contain both classical and apocalyptic prophecy?
While apocalyptic prophecy is not conditional on human response, can fulfillments or interpretation change?

God's Timescale

When using a map if no scale for distance is provided how can one determine the scale?
Is the use of symbolic time in the Bible restricted to apocalyptic prophecies?
How do we know when a prophecy is using the year-day principle and when it is not?

Contemporary Relevance of Daniel

How has each generation interpreted the Bible to understand that their generation was the last? Was it possible?
Were Daniel and his three companions special or can we today have the same results in similar situations?
Why do governments interfere with the way people want to believe in God and practice their religion? Is there any country that will be a safe place to practice one's personal beliefs?

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.