ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 13 (Dec 19-25, 2020), Heaven, Education, and Eternal Learning

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.

Tuesday, 22 December 2020

Lesson 13 (Dec 19-25, 2020), Heaven, Education, and Eternal Learning

The Fate of the Dead

What evidence or logic is there if any, that there is life after death?
Why would God want to allow humans to live forever?
If there is no life after death, is it worth being "good?"

A New Existence

Why will there be a new heaven along with a new earth?
Why are tears wiped away only in the New Earth and not in Heaven?
How easy is it to have assurance of being in the New Earth?

Then Shall We Know

Will we ever run out of new things to learn in the earth made new?
Will we remember everything we learn in the New Earth?
How will we learn in the New Earth?

The School in the Hereafter

How might it be possible to learn things without a microscope or telescope?
Why does Rev 21:1, 2 say there will there be no sea in the New Earth?
Will we need a teacher in the hereafter?

The Great Teacher

What qualified a person to use the term "Rabbi?"
What qualities does a teacher need to have to be successful?
What did Satan mean when he told Eve she could be like God if she ate the fruit of the forbidden tree? Was it a lie?
Does one learn better inside a classroom or outside?

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.