ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 8 (Feb 13-19, 2021), Comfort My People

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.

Monday, 15 February 2021

Lesson 8 (Feb 13-19, 2021), Comfort My People

Comfort for the Future

Does God himself punish his people or does he just withdraw his protection and allow Satan to afflict them?
Was Hezekiah really to blame for showing his wealth to his visitors? What was wrong about displaying God's blessings?
What could Hezekiah have shown his visitors that might have been better?

Presence, Word, and Roadwork

Why are roads repaired when a head of state visits?
How is the way actually to be prepared for the messiah?
How successful was John the Baptist in preparing the world for Jesus?

The Birth of Evangelism

What do we mean by "shout it from the mountain tops?" Of what value is that?
What advantages might women have over men in the work of evangelism?
Why were the majority of Adventist pioneer missionaries to India women?

Merciful Creator

How is a display of the power of God a comfort to his people? Why weren't the Israelites at Sinai comforted by the display of God's power?
What did God accomplish by making Job feel so humble by showing his power in nature?
What comfort is there in the fact that God is creator?

The Problem With Idolatry

Why do certain religions encourage images for worship?
Why did God prohibit Israel from making an image to represent him?
What are the similarities in idolatry and adultery?
How easy or difficult is it to talk to someone you cannot see?

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.