Becoming A Gospel Teacher: Lesson Preparation

Becoming A Gospel Teacher: Effective Gospel Teaching

Teaching By the Spirit

RESOURCES: Teaching no Greater Call p. 43

The following quotation from Gene R Cook in his book “Teaching by the Spirit”

“Testify frequently while you are teaching. This is probably as important-and in some cases more so-as what you are teaching. Testify in the name of the Lord that the things you are teaching are true. If you will do that, it will bring the Spirit of the Lord.

“We out to make it a regular practice to testify to one another. When things are not going well in your teaching, don’t hesitate to stop and say, “I feel impressed to bear my witness to the truthfulness of what I’ve been saying.” And I have found it helpful at times to stop my teaching and ask some in the audience to come up and bear testimony of what they’re feeling at that moment. I don’t do that to fill up time but because the work of the Lord is carried out by our testimonies. Don’t denigrate your own testimony. Bear it powerfully and frequently while you’re teaching. Humble testimonies are carried to the hearts of those listening and bring the Spirit of the Lord.  (2 Nephi 33:1)

“When we declare with faith the convictions we have about the gospel truths, the Holy Ghost will reveal the truth with power to those listening. They then use their agency to accept or reject that witness. Our obligation is to declare the truth by the Spirit, to declare testimony in the name of the Lord, to testify from our own life experiences, and then our testimonies will transmit with power.

“There is great power in bearing your testimony. Remember ‘when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men’ (2 Nephi 33:1) I bear testimony that that is exactly what happens.”

-          Gene R Cook

RESOURCES: Teaching No Greater Call p. 172-173

The following quotation from Gene R Cook in his book “Teaching by the Spirit”

“If you want to invite the Spirit into a teaching experience, sing a hymn. Throughout the history of the Church, singing hymns has been an important preparation to worship. Hymns are prayers of fait hand righteousness. Blessings from heaven come as a result of singing sacred hymns.

“Music has a great impact on the souls of men… It prepares our hearts so that we begin to think of the Lord; we begin to feel the Spirit – and then we pray.

“The hymns of the church will bring the Spirit of the Lord into a setting immediately. It would certainly not be inappropriate, if need be, to stop in the middle of your teaching and say, “Let’s sing a hymn together,” and then pick a hymn that relates to what you are teaching.

“The great spiritual influence of music was described by the Lord in a very personal statement about Himself. There are not very many passages where he speaks personally, but in D&C 25:12…

“I desire such a blessing upon my head, as do you. There is great power in sacred hymns. They are not just songs; they are prayers to God. Sing them that way and they will help you humble yourself, and they will help to bring the Spirit into you teaching.”

-          Gene R Cook

Becoming a Gospel Teacher: Assuring an Abundance of Participation

Assuring an Abundance of Participation

(More on this topic at http://mygospellearningplace.blogspot.ca/2013/05/discussion-in-classroom-setting.html)

“Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege” (D&C 88:122; emphasis added).

TALK LESS

“Never, and I mean never, give a lecture where there is no participation. A ‘talking head’ is the weakest form of class instruction…Assure that there is abundant participation because that use of agency by a student authorizes the Holy Ghost to instruct. It also helps the student retain your message. As students verbalize truths they are confirmed in their soul and strengthen their personal testimonies. (Richard G Scott, To Understand and Live Truth, CES, February 4, 2005)

“A teacher who takes up most of the class time speaking is likely talking too much. In many lessons, student participation can fill about half of the lesson time.” (John D Claybaugh and Amber Barlow Dahl, Increasing Participation in Lessons, Ensign, March 2001, 34)

“A gospel teacher does not focus on himself or herself. One who understands that principle will not look upon his or her calling as ‘giving or presenting a lesson,’ because that definition views teaching from the standpoint of the teacher, not the student.” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Gospel Teaching,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 79.)

“Sometimes there is a tendency for teachers to assume they must give all of the answers, that they must convey the total material in the manual to class members, that they must draw in additional resources beyond the scriptures in order to teach. Now we want teachers to more fully center on the Spirit and on the actual present needs of class members. It also helps teachers to search for the means to help class members apply gospel principles in their individual lives. Hopefully, these class experiences will turn us more toward the Lord, allow us to be touched more frequently by the Spirit, and thus make successful our individual efforts to repent and change our lives.” (Gene R Cook, Teaching By the Spirit, Ensign, Jan 1989)

“The skilled teacher does not want students who leave the class talking about how magnificent and unusual the teacher is. This teacher wants students who leave talking about how magnificent the gospel is!” (Virginia H Pearce, The Ordinary Classroom—a Powerful Place for Steady and Continued Growth, Ensign, Nov. 1996, 12).

“One sure way to transform a dull lecture into a lively, Spirit-filled lesson is by asking effective questions.” (The Worth of a Teacher, Ensign, April 2010, 35)

PROMOTE PARTICIPATION

“When you encourage students to raise their hand to respond to a question, they signify to the Holy Ghost their willingness to learn. That use of moral agency will allow the Spirit to motivate and give them more powerful guidance during your time together. Participation allows individuals to experience being led by the spirit. They learn to recognize what spiritual guidance is.” (Richard G Scott, Helping Others to be Spiritually Led, CES Symposium, August 11, 1998)

“As you consider questions to use in a lesson, ask yourself, ‘Will they help those I teach understand the main ideas of the lesson? Will these questions help those I teach apply the gospel principles being taught?” (Teaching No Greater Call p. 68)

“With the focus of helping students participate and feel the Spirit, much of your lesson preparation should be devoted to developing inspired questions that will help your students discover gospel principles for themselves. Using carefully worded questions, you can guide your students through a discovery experience, which will have far greater effects than a lecture experience, in which a teacher dumps information on students. When you do this students will move from being idle listeners to active participants as they search their hearts for answers to prayerfully prepared questions. This will allow the Spirit to have a greater influence on each person.” (Brian Gudmondson, Questions, the Heart of Learning and Teaching, Ensign, January 2008, 26-29)

“In your lesson preparation, plan questions to ask throughout the lesson. Consider the questions suggested in the manual. Think of others that might be helpful to your class. Seek the Spirit not help you choose several questions for each main idea you want to teach.” (The Worth of a Teacher, Ensign, April 2010, 35)

“Questions should be clear and motivate discussion. They should not manipulate or put words into the mouth of a student. Discussions that invoke a yes or no answer are weak and do little to stimulate insight. They are, however, appropriate when inviting commitment.” (Richard G Scott, To Understand and Live Truth, CES, February 4, 2005)

PROVIDE POSITIVE FEEDBACK

“Teachers should help class members feel comfortable sharing their testimonies, insights, experiences, questions, and ideas” (“Gospel Teaching and Leadership,” in Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leader [1998], 303).

Teachers “can help those [they] teach feel more confident about their ability to participate in a discussion if [the teacher] responds positively to each sincere comment” (Teaching, No Greater Call, 64). Teachers should not ridicule or criticize any questions, comments, expression of feelings, experiences, or testimonies. Teachers should show courtesy and love and do their best to encourage helpful participation. Teachers can help students feel that their contributions are valued and that their participation is important, even if sometimes they must kindly clarify doctrinal misunderstandings. Teachers should keep in mind that students are taking emotional and spiritual risks when sharing personal insights. They will hesitate to share again if they do not receive positive feedback.

It is important to end discussions at the right time. Much of the spirit of an uplifting discussion is lost when it lasts too long.

Becoming a Gospel Teacher: Facilitation Revelation in the Classroom

Gospel Teaching:  Facilitating Revelation

“In order to more effectively teach the things pertaining to righteousness, it is important to understand that in addition to imparting information, we must facilitate revelation. This way the person being taught can feel the desire to know these principles for himself or herself… Leaders and teachers can watch over and nourish the members under their care, diligently teaching them all things pertaining to righteousness. This can be achieved more effectively if revelation is facilitated during the teaching process, thus creating in the people the desire to be enlightened by the Spirit of God.” ~Francisco J Vinãs, Ensign, May 2010

2 Nephi 6:3 - For I have exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words of my father; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written, from the creation of the world.

“That is a formula by which the gospel has always been taught, a process used to this day – personal testimony, the teachings of the living prophets and the written record of the scriptures.” ~Jeffrey R Holland

Inspiration comes through the Spirit. To do this we strongly encourage you to emulate the Spirit in your teaching methods and incorporate the following 4 techniques into your lessons.

SPiRiT – Search, Ponder insights, Record inspiration, Testify

·         Search – In each lesson ensure that you not only read from the scriptures, but allow the class members to PONDER on those words and give their own insights and thoughts. This will help you as a teacher know what needs to be discussed during the class to meet the needs of those you teach

·         Ponder insights – Encourage class members to share their insights and feelings about the scriptures and/or quotations they have read using quizzical questions from the next page

·         Record inspiration – Ensure that there is a small time allotment at any time during the class for class members to record their feelings, thoughts and inspiration in their Sunday Journals. This can be done at the end of the lesson after the conclusion, or at any time during the lesson.

·         Testify – Your testimony of the principles you teach should be given as often throughout the lesson as possible. Each principle you powerfully testify of will draw the spirit more strongly into the teaching process and facilitate personal revelation for not only the class members, but also you as the teacher. It will help you in both your personal life as well as in your teaching methods.

To teach with the SPiRiT (Search, Ponder insights, Record inspiration, Testify): READ from the scriptures, allow class members to PONDER and share their insights, give everyone an opportunity to RECORD their thoughts and inspiration and always be sure to TESTIFY strongly of the principles you have taught.

QUIZZICAL QUESTIONS

Questions that Encourage Feasting & Pondering Upon the Word

·         What do these verses mean to you?

·         How can you apply this in your life today?

·         What is the definition of that word?

·         What do these verses have to do with Jesus?

·         How do these verses strengthen your faith in Christ?

·         What things do you need to change in your life to live …?

·         How will doing … make a difference in your life?

·         What did the Lord teach in verses … about …?

·         What Gospel principles do you see in these verses?

·         How does … help you understand …?

·         What important things do you see in verse …?

·         What is another way to say …?

·         What should you underline or mark in these verses? Why?

·         How could you say this in your own words?

·         If you had to summarize this, what would you say? (Can someone summarize what these verses say?)

·         What are some conclusions you can draw from these verses?

·         How do you feel about what we have been reading? (What comments or feelings do you have about these verses?)

·         Would anyone like to tell about an experience they have had that illustrates this principle?

·         Do any of you have a testimony or experience of … that you would be willing to share?

·         How can you get a testimony of this principle?

October 2011 General Conference

Teaching after the Manner of the Spirit

Matthew O. Richardson

Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency

While we are all teachers, we must fully realize that it is the Holy Ghost who is the teacher and witness of all truth.

Many years ago I was with my companion at the missionary training center when I heard the voice of a child say, “Grandma, are those real missionaries?” I turned to see a young girl holding her grandmother’s hand and pointing at me and my companion. I smiled, extended my hand, looked her square in the eye, and said, “Hello, I am Elder Richardson, and we are real missionaries.” Her face beamed as she looked at me, thrilled that she was in the company of genuine missionaries.

I walked away from that experience with renewed dedication. I wanted to be the type of missionary that the Savior, my family, and this young girl expected me to be. For the next two years, I worked hard to look like, think like, act like, and especially to teach like a real missionary.

Upon my return home, it became increasingly apparent that even though I had left my mission, my mission didn’t leave me. In fact, even after all these years, I still feel that my mission was the best two years for my life. One unexpected carryover from my mission was that young girl’s voice. Only now I was hearing in my mind, “Grandma, is that a real priesthood holder?” “Grandma, is that a real husband or a real father?” or “Grandma, is that a real member of the Church?”

I have learned that a key to becoming real in every aspect of our lives is our ability to teach in a way that does not restrict learning. You see, a real life requires real learning, which depends on real teaching. “The responsibility to teach [effectively] is not limited to those who have formal callings as teachers.”¹ In fact, every family member, Church leader, and Church member (including the youth and children) has a responsibility to teach.

While we are all teachers, we must fully realize that it is the Holy Ghost who is the real teacher and witness of all truth. Those who do not fully understand this either try to take over for the Holy Ghost and do everything themselves, politely invite the Spirit to be with them but only in a supporting role, or believe they are turning all their teaching over to the Spirit when, in truth, they are actually just “winging it.” All parents, leaders, and teachers have the responsibility to teach “by the Spirit.”² They should not teach “in front of the Spirit” or “behind the Spirit” but “by the Spirit” so the Spirit can teach the truth unrestrained.

Moroni helps us understand how we can teach by the Spirit without replacing, diluting, or dismissing the Holy Ghost as the real teacher. Moroni said the Saints conducted their experiences “after the manner of the workings of the Spirit.”³ This requires more than just having the Spirit with us. To conduct ourselves “after the manner” of the Holy Ghost means that we may need to change our way of teaching to emulate the way the Holy Ghost teaches. As we align our manner with the Holy Ghost’s manner, then the Holy Ghost can teach and testify without restraint. This important alignment may be illustrated by the following example.

Many years ago my children and I hiked to the top of South Sister, a 10,358-foot (3,157 m) mountain in Oregon. After several hours we encountered a long 45-degree slope of tiny volcanic pebbles. With the summit in sight, we pressed on only to find that with every step, our feet would sink in the pebbles, causing us to slide backward several inches. My 12-year-old son forged ahead as I stayed with my 8-year-old daughter. Fatigue and discouragement soon set in, and she was heartbroken, thinking that she might not join her brother at the top. My first impulse was to carry her. My spirit was willing, but sadly my flesh was weak. We sat down on the rocks, assessed our situation, and devised a new plan. I told her to put her hands in my back pants pockets, hold on tight, and—most important—as soon as I lifted my foot to take a step, she should quickly put her foot in its place. She mirrored my every move and relied on the lift that came from hanging on to my pockets. After what seemed like an eternity, we made it to the top of the mountain. Her expression of triumph and satisfaction was priceless. And yes, she and her brother were, in my estimation, real hikers.

My daughter’s success was a result of her diligent effort and how well she hiked after the manner that I hiked. As she synchronized her movement with mine, we achieved a rhythm together, allowing me to utilize my full energy. Such is the case when we teach “after the manner of the workings of the Spirit.” As we align the manner of our teaching to match that of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit strengthens us and, at the same time, is not constrained. With this in mind, please consider two fundamental “workings of the Spirit” worthy of our emulation.

First, the Holy Ghost teaches individuals in a very personal way. This makes it possible for us to intimately know truth for ourselves. Because of our different needs, circumstances, and progression, the Holy Ghost teaches what we must know and do so we may become what we must be. Please note that while the Holy Ghost teaches “the truth of all things,”⁴ He does not teach all truth all at once. The Spirit teaches truth “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little.”⁵

Those who teach after the manner of the Spirit understand they teach people, not lessons. As such, they overcome the urge to cover everything in a manual or teach all they have learned on the subject and focus instead on those things that their family or class members need to know and do. Parents, leaders, and teachers who mirror how the Spirit teaches, quickly learn that real teaching involves much more than just talking and telling. As a result, they intentionally pause to listen, carefully observe, and then discern what to do next.⁶ When they do this, the Holy Ghost is in a position to teach both learners and teachers what they should do and say.⁷

Second, the Holy Ghost teaches by inviting, prompting, encouraging, and inspiring us to act. Christ assured us that we come to the truth when we live doctrine and act accordingly.⁸ The Spirit leads, guides, and shows us what to do.⁹ He will not, however, do for us what only we can do for ourselves. You see, the Holy Ghost cannot learn for us, feel for us, or act for us because this would be contrary to the doctrine of agency. He can facilitate opportunities and invite us to learn, feel, and act.

Those who teach after this manner of the Spirit help others by inviting, encouraging, and providing them opportunities to use their agency. Parents, leaders, and teachers realize they cannot feel for, learn for, or even repent for their family, congregation, or class members. Rather than asking, “What can I do for my children, class members, or others?” they ask, “How do I invite and help those around me to learn for themselves?” Parents who mirror the workings of the Holy Ghost create homes where families learn to value rather than just learn about values. In like manner, rather than just talking about doctrines, teachers help learners understand and live gospel doctrines. The Holy Ghost is unrestrained as individuals exercise their agency appropriately.

With the current conditions of the world, we desperately need real learning and teaching in our homes, meetings, and gospel classes. I know that your quest to improve may seem overwhelming at times. Please do not become discouraged with your progress. I think back on my experience hiking with my children. We agreed that every time we stopped to catch our breath, rather than focusing exclusively on how much farther we needed to go, we would immediately turn around and look down the mountain. We would take in the scenery and say to each other, “Look how far we’ve come.” Then we would take a deep breath, quickly turn, face uphill, and start climbing again one step at a time. Brothers and sisters, you can parent, lead, and teach after the manner of the workings of the Spirit. I know you can do this. I testify you can do this, and lives will change.

My life has been blessed by real teachers, who have taught with the Spirit and especially by the Spirit. I invite you to align the manner of your teaching after the manner of the Holy Ghost in all you do. I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that His gospel is restored. Because of this we must be real parents, real leaders, real teachers, and real learners. I testify God will help you in your efforts, in the sacred name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

1.  Teaching, No Greater Call: A Resource Guide for Gospel Teaching (1999), 3.

2.  Doctrine and Covenants 50:14.

3.  Moroni 6:9.

4.  Moroni 10:5; see also Doctrine and Covenants 50:14; True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference (2004), 82.

5.  2 Nephi 28:30.

6. See David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith,” Liahona, Sept. 2007, 16–24; Ensign, Sept. 2007, 60–68.

7. See Luke 12:12.

8. See John 7:17.

9. See 2 Nephi 32:1–5.

Becoming a Gospel Teacher: Go Team!!!

Go Team

Teaming up with the Spirit to Teach

ROOM SETUP: Display cheerleader poster, have as resource handouts lesson planning outline, discussion handouts, and evaluation sheets

1.     Opening Prayer

2.    Introduction of the topic and theme for this meeting

What is the purpose of cheerleaders? (To involve the spectators in the game and get them excited about it.)

What techniques do they use to get the crowd involved? (Lots of enthusiasm, cheers, leading the crowd to participate)

What would a group of cheerleaders look like who are not synchronized? (Like they skipped practice, were unprepared, and not as likely to involve the crowd.)

What tools do cheerleaders use to energize the crowds?

Do cheerleaders enhance how much spectators enjoy the game?

How are cheerleaders like teachers when they teach by the Spirit?

What tools do you use as a teacher to bring the energy of the Spirit into the classroom?

What is the purpose of teaching by the Spirit? Why is it important?

How does synchronizing your teaching techniques with the Spirit enhance class participation and learning?

What techniques can you use to get the class members involved?

How much will teaching by the Spirit enhance the learning and growth of class members?

Summarize: As teachers we are here to facilitate the Spirit by allowing that energy to teach and instruct in our classrooms. As we do so, we will find that the calling to teach is actually a calling to lead a class in which all participants are energized and feel a deepened desire to learn and live the gospel more fully. Class participants and teachers work together as a team to learn the gospel and live it.

3.    ASSIGNMENTS – Allow each sister to share what she has learned this week about teaching by the Spirit.

4.    DISCUSSION

a.     Handout One – Brainstorm and Share

·         How many different things were learned from this one quote and scripture?

·         Is this normal? Why?

·         If this were a portion of your lesson, how would allowing more discussion enhance your lesson?

·         What is the impact of the Spirit in this type of teaching?

b.    Teaching No Greater Call p. 60

·         Whose responsibility is it to ensure learning?

·         What are we as gospel teachers to do to encourage learning?

·         How do you show others how to live the truths you teach?

c.    Bookmark Handout – Questions that facilitate gospel learning.

·         Why do we learn more about a subject when we teach it?

·         Why is the Holy Ghost considered the true teacher?

·         How is the principle of agency linked to learning by the Holy Ghost?

5.    TESTIFY

a.    Handout Two – Learning from the Scriptures about teaching

·         Share insights and discuss the need for pure testimony when we teach.

·         Go over quotes

6.    SUMMARIZE

As we seek to involve everyone in the room, gospel teaching will become a joint experience where we all together are edified by the Spirit. As we participate in a lesson, we actually work together with a team, the Spirit acting as one who speaks to our hearts and inspires the words we speak and share. I KNOW that teaching by the Spirit will make the lessons we present more powerful and will reach not only into our own lives as teachers, but also into the lives of ALL those we teach.