ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 1 (June 27-July 3), Why Witness

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.

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Lesson 1 (June 27-July 3), Why Witness

Providing Opportunities for Salvation

Do people respond better to guidance and correction from other people compared with from the Holy Spirit?
What responsibility do I have (if any) to those who have the light but are not living up to it?
Does imparting the gospel to people who have not heard it before make them more accountable than before they heard it?

Making Jesus Glad

After receiving a stock answer of "fine thanks," what followup questions can one ask to find out how things are really going in a person's life?
How is it that some people are lost within the fold?
What makes God so excited when a person comes to Him?

Growing by Giving

Is not witnessing a sin?
Are there ways of witnessing for those who are anti-social?
Are good witnessers born or developed?

Faithfulness to Christ's Command

Is the gospel commission an invitation or a command?
Can God transform me into desiring to witness, and if so, can I wait till the desire begins?
Are there Christian churches that do not evangelize? How do they grow?

Motivated by Love

What motivated Paul to undertake so many missionary journeys?
Is the lack of witnessing indication of a lack of love for fellow humans?
What does appreciation for one's personal salvation feel like?

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.