ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 5 (Oct 24-30, 2020), Jesus as the Master Teacher

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, 25 October 2020

Lesson 5 (Oct 24-30, 2020), Jesus as the Master Teacher

Revealing the Father

How did Jesus reveal the Father in new ways which had not been done before by prophets?
What did the apostle John mean when he said Jesus brought light into a dark world? What was that light?
Do you human beings wish to see God or not?
What did Jesus mean when he said "If you have seen me you have seen the Father?" Did he mean he and the Father were similar physically, or spiritually or both?
What did Bible characters such as Hagar and Jacob mean when they declared that they had seen God and were still alive?
How can we reveal God to others?

Reading the Teacher's Mind

Why is it so difficult for us humans to be humble?
What were the risks that Jesus took in coming to this world as a human? What made him take those risks?
Why did Paul write to the church to help bring two women members/workers together? Is it easier to settle quarrels between men or women?

The Master Teacher and Reconciliation

Why do we need "go-betweens" and reconciliation processes? How does it help?
What are the risks in trying to reconcile quarreling people?
What keeps people from reconciling?
How did Jesus go about reconciling humans and God? What did he do?

The Master Teacher's First Pupils

Why did God choose shepherds to be the first witnesses of Jesus birth? Who were other options, and why do you think they were not chosen?
Why do you think God chose wise men from far away to visit Jesus, and not local rich men?
What convinced these visits that Jesus was the Son of God? How much did these visits affirm to Joseph and Mary that Jesus was God's son? Did they need this confirmation?

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.