ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 11 (June 6-12), The Bible and ProphecyHis

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.

Thursday, 11 June 2020

Lesson 11 (June 6-12), The Bible and ProphecyHis

Historicism and Prophecy

What are the marks of the end of one kingdom and the beginning of the next? Are such dates always so distinct? Do they have to be?
In what ways were the kingdoms of Daniel getting inferior subsequently?
Why are there no apocalyptic prophecies before the time of Daniel?
Is there a delay in the final fulfilment of Dan 2?

The Year-Day Principle

Why is it necessary to have such a thing as a scale, whether for maps or for time charts?
What makes us think that unrelated texts for local events can provide the time-scale for apocalyptic prophecies?
How do we know when any prophecy is using symbolic time?

Identifying the Little Horn

Why is it important to identify the Little Horn precisely?
Can there be more than one fulfilment of the Little Horn?
Can it be an individual? Can it be me?

The Investigative Judgement

Are Adventist scholars the best on Daniel and Revelation?
Why does it matter when the judgement is?
Why was the book of Daniel not interpreted properly earlier?

Typology As Prophecy

If only Bible writers can identify antitypes, how can we interpret prophecies not fulfilled in their lifetime?
Can there be more than one antitype?
How did the Israelites miss the typology of the sanctuary, or did they not?

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.