ABSG Questions for Discussion: Creation:Genesis as Foundation -- Part 2

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, 25 May 2020

Creation:Genesis as Foundation -- Part 2

A Flat Earth

What did the Bible author really mean and how should we understand the term, "four corners of the earth?"
What would have been the harm in God inspiring the Bible writer to indicate the earth was a sphere?
Does "circle of the earth" in the book of Job refer to a globe or a disc?

Creation in Ancient Literature

If the Egyptian creation story is older than the Bible and there are similarities does it mean that Moses borrowed from that story?
What is more important in comparisons, similarities or differences?
How can one tell if a creation story is imagined or inspired?

Genesis Versus Paganism

Why do primitive people often end up worshipping the sun and the moon?
What might they think the God who made the firmament was like when they experience hurricanes and drought?
How does the creation of Eve not seem like an aferthought?
Why would primitive accounts of creation place a low view of humans?

Creation and Time

Are the chronogenealogies of Genesis comprehensive or representative?
Is it more than coincidence that patriarchs are listed in tens?
What is the effect of reading the genealogies of Genesis, that they intend to be taken literally or not?
Does it affect the veracity of the Bible if the earth is older than 6000 years?

Creation in Scripture

Is there any text in the Bible that casts doubt on the reliability of the creation account? Was there any other account that was left out from the Canon of scripture because it disagreed with the Genesis account of creation?
How can we account for all other references to creation in the Bible following the same order of creation?
What evidence is there that Jesus believed in the creation story?

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.