ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 13 (June 20-26), Living by the Word of God

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, 22 June 2020

Lesson 13 (June 20-26), Living by the Word of God

The Living Word of God and the Holy Spirit

If God works in humans both to will and to do, what do WE need to do to "work out our own salvation?"
If the Holy Spirit is desirous for us to understand the Bible correctly, why do we need to pray for His guidance?
How does one "hold fast to the Word of God?"

Learning from Jesus

Why does quoting Scripture help one to resist temptation?
How well does Satan know the Bible?
If there were no Bible is there any way humans could have identified Jesus as the Messiah?

Jesus Versus Scripture

If we use Scriptures to identify Jesus are we place the Bible above Jesus?
Did Jesus reject or minimize portions of Scripture by saying "ye have heard it said . . . but I say unto you?
What doctrines of the church would suffer if we rejected the entire Old Testament?

Quiet Times with the Word of God

What factors cause one to neglect Bible study and prayer?
What is the solution to "problems" that crowd out Bible study?
When is the best time to study the Bible and why?

Memory and Song

Why is memorizing Bible passages better than carrying a Bible around?
Which version should one memorize from and why?
How does music help in memorizing words?

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.