ABSG Questions for Discussion: Old Testament Prophets (For Discussion on October 17)

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, 15 October 2026

Old Testament Prophets (For Discussion on October 17)

The Humanity of Prophets

1. What do you imagine Ahab's emotions were as he reported the events of the day on Carmel to Jezebel? Had he been converted or not?

2. How do you reconcile Elijah's fleeing from Jezebel to save his life on the one hand, with his request to God to "take my life," on the other hand?

3. Even though Elijah had a nature like ours, what characteristics of Elijah, do you think made him special?

Identifying True Prophets

1. How much do you think (false) prophets believed in themselves and their prophecies?

2. How would the king of Israel have known that the four hundred were not prophets of the Lord, and that Micaiah was? Were their claims enough?

3. Can a true prophet have sin in his or her life?

Functions of Prophets

1. Why did God ask some prophets to anoint kings? How much good did it do for the king's faithfulness to God?

2. Why do you think God generally didn't call kings or priests to be prophets?

3. Why were kings permitted by God to persecute prophets?

Women Prophets

1. While we know that certain women (or even men) are referred to in the Bible as prophets, how would the people of their day know that they were prophets, since the Bible was not written yet?

2. Why do you think that God would call women to be prophets but not as kings or priests?

3. Are women in general closer to God than men? Give reasons for your answer.

False Prophets

1. Can some false prophets seem genuine? How much can people be faulted for sincerely believing a false prophet ?

2. What can make a false prophet believe they are a true prophet?

3. Why are there more false prophets than true prophets?

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.