ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (Sept 12-18, 2020), A Message Worth Sharing

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.

Tuesday, 15 September 2020

Lesson 12 (Sept 12-18, 2020), A Message Worth Sharing

Peter's Present-Truth Message

Is truth universal and timeless? If so what is meant by present-truth?
Could Jesus have come before 1844?
Why has every generation believed theirs to be the last?

Revelation's End-Time Focus

Percentage-wise, how much of the Bible would you estimate is devoted to (a) the first coming of Jesus, (b) the second coming of Jesus, and (c) the third coming of Jesus (after the millennium)? What would you say is responsible for those priorities?
How much did the Old Testament prophets distinguish between these comings?
How can you account for the difference in the book of Revelation compared to the rest of the New Testament?

Revelation's End-Time Message

Why is Jesus at the second coming depicted with a crown and a sickle? What do these symbolize?
How can one tell when the harvest of this world is really ready?
When are seasons of sowing and harvest in the history of the church?

Understanding God's Message More Fully

What does "Fear God" mean? Could they give the wrong impression? Why does the Bible use those words?
Why does God have to ask us to give Him Glory? How is it different from human beings asking for praise?
What tells us that the first angel's message of "Fear God, give glory, worship" is connected to the Sabbath?

God's Final Appeal

Since when has Babylon represented enemies of God?
Was the early Adventist church justified in believing that all church organizations were Babylon?
Did the Adventists have to organize into a denomination or could they have remained a movement? Would that have been better or worse?

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.