ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 5 (July 25-31), Spirit Empowered

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, 29 July 2020

Lesson 5 (July 25-31), Spirit Empowered

Jesus and the Promise of the Holy Spirit

Why should we use the pronoun "He" for the Holy Spirit when the term in Hebrew is feminine in form? Why don't we use the neuter "it?"

Why did Jesus tell the disciples that it was to their advantage for Him to go to heaven and for the Holy Spirit to be with them?
Would the disciples have preferred to have Jesus stay with them?
Wasn't the Holy Spirit on earth all along? What would be different now?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in witnessing?

An Empowered Church

What would the apostolic period have been like without the Holy Spirit?
Is it possible for us to have that same experience today or was that special?
Is there any difference or similarity in the thousands who were baptized in a single day in the time of the apostles compared with the thousands who are baptized in one day nowadays?

The Holy Spirit and Witnessing

How did the Holy Spirit help Stephen when he was being stoned?
How can the Holy Spirit guide the church to people(s) that are specifically searching for truth
What is holding back the Holy Spirit from uniting the church?

The Holy Spirit, The Word, and Witnessing

Should all sermons be Biblical?
Can a non-Adventist have the Holy Spirit and can such be invited to preach in our churches?
What is the evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work?

The Life-transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

How did the Holy Spirit overcome cultural barriers in the early church?
Does the Holy Spirit use women to witness in Bible times and today?
Is it possible for a low-class person to reach the higher classes or does it require a high-class person to witness to them?

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.