ABSG Questions for Discussion: September 2026

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, 30 September 2026

Lesson 1, The Creator Speaks (For Discussion on Sabbath, Oct 3, 2026)

The Creator Speaks

1. How important is communication for relationships?

2. Why did God suspend face-to-face communication with humans after Eden?

3. Why is Bible study and prayer inadequate communication with God?

Hiding from God

1. Why didn't God program humans to make the right choices?

2. What difference might it have made if God had warned Adam and Eve about Satan?

3. Why did Adam and Even hide but apparently, not the serpent?

God Seeks Humanity

1. Why did God ask Adam and Eve "Where are you?" rather than "Why are you hiding?"

2. How and why did Satan take target relationships?

3. How much comfort is it to us that even Paul admitted that what he hated he did?

Expelled from the Garden

1. How was the curse on the land, work, and sweat, in a way, good for humans?

2. How can you describe how Adam and Eve felt expelled from God's presence?

3. Where does guilt and shame come from and where does it go?

God's Spokespeople

1. Why do you think Satan has not been allowed to spoil creation completely? How adequately does nature reveal God?

2. How can we know which words of a prophet are inspired and which are not?

3. What can we humans do to ensure we receive what God is communicating through the Holy Spirit?

Expelled From the GardenExpelled From the 1Garden

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.