ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (Mar 13-19, 2021), Desire of Nations

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, 17 March 2021

Lesson 12 (Mar 13-19, 2021), Desire of Nations

The Effects of Sin

How do wrong acts affect relationships in families or among friends? Who is more reluctant to meet up, the one committing the wrong or the one wronged?
Why do people not answer phone calls? For what reasons, if any, might God not want to hear a person's prayer?
Why did Adam and Eve hide from God?

Who is Forgiven

At what age do humans become accountable for sin? What makes one accountable? Does one need forgiveness for sins we are not aware of?
What are the requirements in order to be forgiven? Could a person who asks for forgiveness be refused by God?
What made the rich young ruler believe he had kept the law? What evidence is there whether he had kept it or had not?

Universal Appeal

Why is salvation described in terms of "light?"
What is meant by the phrase "Arise shine?"
How well are kings and political leaders responding to the gospel?

The Year of the Lord's Favour

What does "anointed" mean? Who in the OT were in anointed, and for what? What is Jesus anointed for?
How is what Jesus brings similar to what the purpose of the Jubilee year was for?
How well is the Adventist church proclaiming or assisting in the "Lord's favour?"

The Day of Vengeance of Our God

How is the word "vengeance" related to the word "revenge?" On whom will God take revenge?
How can a God of love cause people to suffer in hell?
For whose benefit is God's vengeance?

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.