ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (Jan 2-8, 2020), Crisis of Leadership

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, 5 January 2021

Lesson 2 (Jan 2-8, 2020), Crisis of Leadership

The King is Dead

How likely is it that Uzziah repented of his sin? Would God have restored the king from his leprosy if requested? How could a leprous king continue to rule?
Why does the Bible record take pains to mention a king's mother?
What are the advantages of overlapping reigns of fathers and sons?

Holy, Holy, Holy

Why do you think angels with six wings are not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible? What could be the significance of covering faces and covering feet?
How would Isaiah have known that it was the Lord whom he saw in a vision? How could the train of his robe fill the temple? What could that mean?
What could be the purpose of God revealing Himself to a prophet in such majesty and power that the prophet felt poor and unclean?

New Personality

Why did Isaiah confess to being himself and also belonging to a people all of "unclean lips?" What could that mean?
How good does a person need to be in order to be called as a prophet?
How could a live coal take away the sin of Isaiah?

Royal Commission

Why do you think Isaiah gets his commission in chapter 6 rather than in chapter 1?
How much difference does it make whether one gets a vision in public such as the temple/church or at in private at home?
Why do you think priests were not usually called to be prophets?

Appalling Appeal

What could prevent a people who heard from understanding what they heard?
Why did Jesus teach in parables? Why did prophets often speak in parables, such as Nathan to David?
How much is a pastor expected to condemn the sins of his congregation?

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.