ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 1 (Sept 26-Oct 2, 2020), Education in the Garden of Eden

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, 30 September 2020

Lesson 1 (Sept 26-Oct 2, 2020), Education in the Garden of Eden

The First School

What would be advantages in holding classes outdoors? What are the disadvantages?
Why did God ask Adam and Eve to look after the garden? What did that involve in a sinless world? What would have happened if they failed to do that properly?
If one had to live in a forest or island today what would be deemed essentials?

Intrusion

Would the tree to test the couple have been God's idea or Satan's?
Would the presence of the tree have been enough of a test without the tempting serpent?
Was Eve created after the instruction to Adam not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?

Missing the Message

How possible is it that Adam didn't convey the prohibition as strongly as God?
Did Satan say anything that was false? Why do we call him a liar?
What makes us think that Adam was not with Eve when she bit the fruit?

Regaining What Was Lost

Why do teachers send disobedient students out of the classroom? What does that accomplish? Can the same objective be achieved in another way?
Could the Tree of Life have been removed from the garden? Why did Adam and Eve have to be expelled from Eden?
What is the difference between "education" and "knowledge"?

The Despisers of Authority

What makes one a good student? Are good students born or made?
Do some students have an unfair disadvantage in a class? Is there any disadvantages when it comes to learning about God and salvation?
How does respect for authority erode?

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.