ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (Oct 3-9, 2020), The Family

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, 4 October 2020

Lesson 2 (Oct 3-9, 2020), The Family

The First Family

How old are children when they know the difference between right and wrong?
What do you think led Cain to take up gardening and Abel to take up animal husbandry?
How would you rate Adam and Eve's success as parents as far as teaching their children about religion?

The Childhood of Jesus

Was Jesus allowed to choose which family he wanted to be born into? If so, what qualities would he have wanted in his mother, and what in his father?
Why were Zachariah and Elizabeth given more instructions on how to bring up John the Baptist than Joseph and Mary were given about how to bring up Jesus?
How much does God guide parents who seek His assistance?

Communication

How long should a couple wait before having children, and why?
Are good communicators born or developed?
What are significant differences between training an animal and training a child?

The Role of Parents

Why does the memory verse in Proverbs 1:8 refer to what the father says as "instruction," and to what the mother says as "law?" Is the difference in authority or content? Or is there no difference?
What is involved in being "head of the family?" Why is it necessary to have a head? To what extent can roles be exchanged?
Why is God depicted as "Father" and not "Mother?"

Lest We Forget

How successful were the Israelites in carrying out the command to teach their children their history?
To what extent is it the fault of parents or teachers if children are not interested in learning?
What is the best time of the day to teach children?

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.