ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (Apr 4-10), The Origin and Nature

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.

Monday, 6 April 2020

Lesson 2 (Apr 4-10), The Origin and Nature

The Divine Revelation of the Bible

Why did God wait so long (till Moses) to give humans the Bible?
Apart from what the Bible says, how can we know that the Bible is from God?
What do we mean by men being "moved by the Holy Spirit?"

The Process of Inspiration

Is the Bible inspired or were the writers inspired? What difference does it make?
Why do we claim to believe in "thought" inspiration? How is it superior to "verbal" inspiration?
Was inspiration necessary even for Bible history, poetry, etc, or only for prophecy?
Has science made any part of the Bible unreliable?

The Written Word of God

What is the advantage of the written word over the spoken word?
What are the advantages of an alphabetic script over picture writing for communicating spiritual matters? What is picture writing best suited for?
What would be God's criteria in selecting persons to write the Bible?

The Parallel Between Christ and the Bible

Did Jesus have to take human nature as during his lifetime or the nature of unfallen Adam?
Why didn't God give us the Bible written with his own writing as in the Ten Commandments?
Is the physical Bible to be revered? What about e-Bibles?
How much of a disadvantage is it to read a translation?

Understanding the Bible in Faith

Is it necessary to pray before reading the Bible?
Is it possible to understand the Bible without the presence of the Holy Spirit?
Is there any difference in how a musician is inspired and a Bible writer is?
Does a sceptic have a disadvantage or advantage in approaching the Bible?

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.