ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 4 (Jan 18-24), From Furnace to Palace

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.

Friday, 24 January 2020

Lesson 4 (Jan 18-24), From Furnace to Palace

Would it have been better for the three Hebrews to have reported sick rather than go the place of testing?

The Golden Image

How can we know when a dream is from God?
On what basis do we claim that Nebuchadnezzar constructed the image fully of gold to counter the image of his dream which had only the head of gold?
Was the image of gold a result of the pride of Nebuchadnezzar?
Why would the king have wanted everyone to bow down before the image? What would that signify?

The Call to Worship

Why did the king make a provision for a furnace? Whom could he have had in mind?
Why were musical instruments involved in the call to worship?
What if any is the connection of the image to the number 666? Are we justified in associating Babylon with the number?

The Test of Fire

What could have been the objective of the whole exercise at the plain of Dura with the image?
Would it have been wrong for the three Hebrews to bow down in front of the image and pray to their God Yahweh privately?
Why couldn't the Hebrews explain their allegiance to the King despite not bowing before the image?

The Fourth Man

Why do you think God decided to join the Hebrews in the fire besides keeping them from getting burnt?
How could the king have felt that the fourth person looked like the son of God?
Why does God allow some martyrs to die while delivering others?

The Secret of Such a Faith

How do some develop such a strong faith while others fail?
Would God have forgiven anyone for bowing before the image to save their lives, if they repented afterwards?
Where was Daniel?

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.