ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 5 (Jan 25-31), From Pride to Humility

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.

Thursday, 30 January 2020

Lesson 5 (Jan 25-31), From Pride to Humility

Why is pride so abhorrent to God?

Is Not This Babylon the Great

Since the king related his dream of the great tree, why couldn't the wise men conjure up an interpretation?
Knowing the dream what interpretation would you have given?
Seeing that the wise men were helpless with his previous dream, why did Nechadnezzar bother to consult the wise men again?

Warned by the Prophet

What gave Daniel enough courage to warn the king? What were the chances that the king would punish Daniel for presuming to warn him?
What was the connection between the great tree of the dream and the poor and the needy of the country?
How could aiding the poor and need address the matter of the king's pride? Could such activity solve the problem of pride in a person today?

The Most High Rules

What significance, if any, is there in the twelve months that passes between the dream and its fulfilment?
Was the fulfilment of the dream inevitable or could it have been averted?
How could the king have survived in the wild for seven years?

Lifting Eyes Toward Heaven

Was the lifting of the eyes to heaven literal or figurative?
Why do you think God interfered with Nebuchadnezzar so much? Does He do that with other kings too?
Did seven years have to pass before the king's restoration or could it have been earlier or later?

Humble and Grateful

Is a person born with humility or does one have to cultivate it?
How can one cultivate humility?
Are there things one can boast about without falling into pride?

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.