ABSG Questions for Discussion: Lesson 2 (Apr 3-9, 2021), Covenant Primer

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, 8 April 2021

Lesson 2 (Apr 3-9, 2021), Covenant Primer

Covenant Basics

If one party initiates a covenant can obligations be imposed on the other party?
Why do people seal some covenants with an oath? What is the significance of the oath?
What is the difference in covenants between equals and covenants between unequals?

Covenant with Noah

Though Noah seems to have not been given a choice by God, how can we sense that he did have a choice whether to obey or not?
How could Noah be called a righteous person when he got drunk and did something stupid?
Are rainbows today confirmation of the covenant with Noah?

The Covenant with Abram

In what ways have all people of the earth been blessed through Abraham?
To what extent did Abraham fulfill his duty of the covenant? Considering that Israel failed to do their part, did God err in selecting Abraham and his seed?
How could Abraham be called the father of those who have faith when his lies about Sarah revealed his lack of faith?

The Covenant with Moses

Are there more than one fulfillments of promises?
What kind of obedience from Israel did God expect since absolute obedience seems not possible?
Is Israel today still receiving residual blessings from God's covenant to Abraham?

The New Covenant

Why do we use the terms Old and New Covenant when the Bible does not use those terms?
In what sense is a covenant "old?"
Could Israelites of the Old Testament times live under the New Covenant?
How can people today be living under the old covenant?

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.