ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (Mar 14-20), From North and South to the

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, 20 March 2020

Lesson 12 (Mar 14-20), From North and South to the

Prophecies About Persia and Greece

What could be God's purpose in giving such detailed prophecies about kings of one part of the world? What does it matter to us what those kings did?
How do these prophecies relate to the freedom of choice of these kings?
What evidence is there that God is in control of the affairs of the earth these days?

Prophecies of Syria and Egypt

Are the King of the North and King of the South literal kings or symbolic?
How successful are marriages for political benefit?
What would we lose if Dan 11 were not in the Bible?

Rome and the Prince of the Covenant

Why is it so difficult to understand Dan 11? Why does no angel appear to help interpret this prophecy?
Can there be more than one fulfilment of these prophecies?
What are the clues that connect this prophecy with the Roman empire and what takes us beyond that?

The Next Power

What are clues connect the next power with religion which is absent from the prophecy thus far?
Can the Pope sue the Adventist church for defamation of character?
Can there be more than one antichrist?

Final Events

When does/did the time of the end begin?
What does "north" and "south" stand for in the Bible and how might that be significant here?
What assurance do we have that God and His people will be victorious at the end?

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.