ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 4 (July 18-24), Prayer Power

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.

Wednesday, 22 July 2020

Lesson 4 (July 18-24), Prayer Power

A Cosmic Struggle

How important is any one individual in the battle between good and evil that is going on in the universe?
What can one do to ensure he/she is on the right side of the battle going on?
How does it help if one prays for an unbelieving relative or friend?

Jesus-The Mighty Intercessor

Did Jesus spend most of His time praying for himself or for others?
How much difference does it make whether I am good or bad, when I pray on behalf of other people? Will God listen to my prayer more readily if I am a good person?
Why might praying on behalf of others every day be more effective than doing it off and on?

Paul's Intercessory Prayers

Why did Paul pray for people he had helped convert? Why should a pastor pray for people already in his church?
How might it help if we tell a person we are praying for him/her?
What kind of prayer should one pray for a person he/she does not like?

Unseen Powers at Work

Did Daniel's prayer help bring about the end of the Babylonian captivity? How did it help for Daniel to pray about that?
Why would Satan have wanted the Jews to remain in Babylon?
Was Daniel interested in the fulfilment of God's purposes for the salvation of mankind or just for his people to go back to their homeland?

Prayer Focus

Is it a sin to not pray for others?
Is it possible that someone might be lost because we did not pray for them?
How does it help if I agree to pray for someone because they have an exam or interview coming, or for their new home, or when they are starting out on a journey?

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.