ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 6 (Feb 1-7), From Arrogance 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.

Wednesday, 5 February 2020

Lesson 6 (Feb 1-7), From Arrogance to

Belshazzer's Feast

Why do you think Belshazzer desired to drink from the temple vessels?
Why do you think God permitted those vessels to be looted from the temple in Jerusalem?
What made Babylon a symbol of opposition to God's people when they were surrounded by other enemies?

An Uninvited Guest

Why did God prefer to communicate through riddles and codes to the King rather than writing clearly?
How could no Babylonian attempt to interpret the writing on the wall?
What made the king believe the interpretation that Daniel gave?

Enter the Queen

Why was Daniel not called in the first place? Why was he absent from the party?
Do prophets ever retire from prophesying?
Why didn't the king and all the people not realize that God was punishing them for defiling sacred vessels?

Weighed and Found Wanting

Since the words written were easy to read and understand, why couldn't people guess what it meant?
Why was it important to God to inform Belshazzer of impending doom?
Does God always punish those who defile sacred things?

The Fall of Babylon

What made the fall of Babylon of greater import than the fall of Assyria, Syria, Edom and other nations?
Why did Daniel accept the rewards for his interpreting?
Does God always send warnings before punishing a person?

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.