ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 8 (Aug 15-21, 2020), Ministering Like Jesus

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.

Sunday, 16 August 2020

Lesson 8 (Aug 15-21, 2020), Ministering Like Jesus

Jesus' Attitude toward People

Why was Jesus not concerned about his reputation, associating with the rejects of society? Do we need to be concerned about our reputation more than Jesus needed to be?
Why did the Pharisees and Sadducees avoid certain classes of people?
As "salt of the earth" is it possible to make things too salty? If so, how?

Jesus' Treatment of People

Why are people not complimented enough? Do compliments cost anything?
What makes people unconcerned about the feelings of others?
Are the qualities of grace and kindness inherited or cultivted?

Jesus Healing Ministry --1

Did Jesus discern people's needs through His divinity? How easy is it for us to sense people's emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual needs?
How easily do people reveal their needs? How can they be encouraged to do so?
Is it possible to meet needs in others that are not fulfilled in our own lives?
Why did Jesus heal individuals and not crowds of sick in mass healing services?
How did Jesus decide whom to heal and whom to leave unhealed?
Among the three teaching, preaching, and healing, what was the priority of Jesus?
What is the relationship to healing and preaching? Why do several evangelists and churches engage in both?

What Matters to Jesus

Does the parable of the separation of the sheep and goats teach that doctrines are unimportant if we have love and compassion?
In real life what is it that the five foolish virgins do not have enough of?
How safe/risky is it to be kind to strangers?

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.