ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 7 (Nov 7-13, 2020), Worship in Education

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, 8 November 2020

Lesson 7 (Nov 7-13, 2020), Worship in Education

We All Worship Something

How accurate is the above heading? Is it possibly to not worship anything?
Did God create humans to worship Him? If that were true how good is it?
What would have been wrong for the three Hebrew boys to boy down before the golden image and say their own prayers to their own God--in order to save their lives?

And Declare Them to Their children

Why do we sing during worship? How is that better than speaking?
If singing is an important part of worship why do we always do that at the beginning when most people have not arrived yet?
How does singing help to reinforce the message?

In Spirit and in Truth

What is meant by worshiping in "Spirit?" What other ways are there to worship?
What is meant by worshiping in "truth?" What does it involve? Why did Jesus speak like this to the Samaritan woman?
What does this mean for us today? Do we need to go to church every week?

The Beauty of Holiness

How does the beauty of holiness differ from the holiness of beauty?
Are grand cathedrals more conducive for worship than simple chapels?
Are Adventists reverent enough in church? What can be done to inspire more reverence in church?

Idolatry in Education

How religious were Israel's neighbors compared to them? Why were Israelites so attracted to Canaanite worship?
What are some idols in current worship practices?
Does religion need to be scientifically viable and verifiable?

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.