ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 13 (Sept 19-25, 2020), A Step in Faith

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, 20 September 2020

Lesson 13 (Sept 19-25, 2020), A Step in Faith

Self-Sacrificing Love

Why would anyone think that Jesus was less God than the Father? What was Jesus before he was the Son?
Why do you think it was Jesus who volunteered to redeem humans rather than the Father or the Holy Spirit? What motivated Him to do so?
What are reasons that humans are reluctant to work for the salvation of others?

Commitment's Call

Why do you think Peter's response to the miraculously huge catch of fish at Jesus' instruction to lower the net was to confess that he was a sinful man?
In what ways is evangelism like fishing? Why did Peter and John have to give up fishing to follow Jesus? Is it possible to witness part-time?
What did Matthew have to give up to follow Jesus? Would it have been hard or easy? Why was he ready to follow?

Paul, God's Chosen Vessel

Is it possible to have an encounter with God today as Paul had? What did God see in Paul that He called him?
Should young people be sought out and called to be pastors or is it better for them to make the decision on their own?
How can one tell who will make a good pastor-evangelist?

The Demands of Love

How can we tell if we have enough love for people?
How can we develop love for people, if we don't have it?
Did the disciples have love for people to begin for Jesus to develop or did He have to put it in them?
What is the difference between feeding sheep and lambs? Why do you think Jesus change the instruction?

Love's Commitment

What changed Peter from a denier to champion for Christ?
What enables people to become martyrs?
What evidence is there that Paul, Peter and John demonstrated love for people?

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.