ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 6 (Oct 31-Nov 6. 2020), More Lessons from the Master

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, 1 November 2020

Lesson 6 (Oct 31-Nov 6. 2020), More Lessons from the Master

Instead of Hiding

What were other questions God could have asked Adam and Eve instead of "Where are you?"
What else could Adam and Eve have done instead of hiding that could have been better?
Why must all humans suffer for what Adam and Eve did?

On the Run

How might Jacob have received the blessings he coveted without having to cheat his brother and his father?
What indications are there that Esau was not interested in what Jacob wanted?
Was the ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending a dream or a vision?

Rabbi Jesus

What is basis for claiming that Jesus of the New Testament is Yahweh of the Old Testament?
Was John the Baptist a prophet? How can his success be measured?
What is the evidence that Jesus was the greatest teacher ever?

A Woman Talks Back

What indications are there that Esau was not interested in what Jacob wanted?
How much did Jesus know about who would find him where, and ask for something? Did he sometimes want to avoid meeting anyone?
How could Jesus cast out a demon from the daughter of the Syro-phonecian without seeing the child?

A Student Who Gets It

Why did Herod feel threatened by John the Baptist and by Jesus? Were they a threat to him?
Why were the disciples of Jesus hard for him to teach?
How does a teacher penetrate the understanding of a pupil best and get the light turned on?

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.