ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 10 (Nov 28-Dec 4, 2020), Education in Arts and Sciences

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.

Wednesday, 2 December 2020

Lesson 10 (Nov 28-Dec 4, 2020), Education in Arts and Sciences

The Lord Alone

What can a person learn about from God purely from nature?
How has sin corrupted in nature so that some may get a distorted view of God?
What makes something/anything beautiful? To what extent is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

The Beauty of Holiness

What is the difference in the phrases "beauty of holiness," and holiness of beauty?" Are they both true?
Should Christian homes and campuses be more beautiful that non-Christian ones? How can surroundings be beautified without undue expense?
Is there any beauty that is not holy?

Experts in Error

Why do some people still believe in a flat earth? How so we know that the earth is really spherical?
When we use terms like "sunrise" and "sunset" are we implying the sun goes around the earth?
Why do we use the term "four corners of the earth?" What does it really mean?

Foolishness and Wisdom

Should Adventist schools teach evolution? In case it has to be done how should it be handled?
Can an Adventist believe in continental drift and the ice age etc?
How far can Adventist go in understanding the age of the earth, since we just advocate a "short chronology?"

The Lord Answered Job

Why did God give Job a long lecture on nature?
What was Job's problem and how did that lecture on nature help him, so that he recanted at the end?
Why did God speak twice to Job? Would one have not been enough?
Why didn't Jesus teach humans about science and the universe?

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.