ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 12 (March 6-11, 2020), Waging Love

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.

Thursday, 11 March 2021

Lesson 12 (March 6-11, 2020), Waging Love

Buy Something Free

If no money is sought or given, how can a transaction be termed "buying?"
What are some ways in which people attempt to buy forgiveness?" How effective is it?
What was the price of our salvation? Who paid it and to whom was it paid?

High Thoughts and Ways

Why do you think God reminded Israel that His ways and thoughts are different (higher) than human ways and thoughts?
What are some things that are impossible for humans to grasp? Is the plan of salvation one of those things?
How can one explain God's love, forgiveness, redemption to unbelievers?

Fast Friends

What is the true purpose of "fasting?"
How would fasting urge God do something that He might not have otherwise?
For whose benefit is fasting? How does it benefit?

Fast Fight

Is fasting a necessary part of religion and how important is it for salvation?
Why does God say that providing food and shelter to the needy are better than fasting? How are those things demonstrations of true religion?
Is it all right to do social work on Sabbath or should that be done on a weekday?

A Time for Us

What are some things that might be termed "doing our own pleasure" on Sabbath? What are some things that might not be our own pleasure?
Why does Isaiah refer to the feet and not the hands with reference to breaking the Sabbath?
What are some "idle words" that we may utter on Sabbath?
Why is the connection between acts of benevolence and the true purpose of Sabbath and the Sabbatical year?

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.