1. There is no one "best" method for all teachers.
2. Best teaching method is one-on-one. Good for parents/children talks.
3. Best method for classes is teaching from the scriptures. Keep reading BOM.
4. Isaiah chapters are difficult, but keep reading them. You will be inspired and learn.
5. Teach by the Spirit. Constantly pray for teaching ability. Seek and Serve. Teaching ability is earned.
6. Live worthily. The Spirit will guide. Pray for the ability to know when, what, how to teach.
7. Teach by examples as Savior the did. That makes it easier for listeners to understand. Speak at class level. Use examples that the students can relate to.
8. Prayer is basic preparation for teaching by the Spirit. Pray for the Spirit to guide your thoughts.
9. All people in the Church should speak in the name of the Lord. All are teachers.
10. Obedience is the first law of heaven. Teach obedience to students.
11. How do you have the Spirit in the classroom? Love your class members. Use words the class understands.
12. Teacher preparation is vital. Children are eager to learn. Keep the class engaged. Use scriptural examples.
13. Don’t hold a preaching service. Engage students. Ask "what do you think" type questions.
Elder Holland.
1. Gospel spread most effectively thru teaching. Christ’s message: Go ye into all the world and teach my gospel to every creature.
2. Nourish your students by teaching the "Good word of God."Use the scriptures.
4. Teachers start preparing a week before class. A "rushed" atmosphere does not give the Spirit time to even enter. Un-rushed atmosphere allows the Spirit to guide.
5. Don’t try to teach everything in the manual. (But USE the Manual) Don’t overload time. Summarize at end of class.
Class Demonstration. Elder Holland conducting.
1. Ask, Seek, Knock----(Spiritually). " For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." (Luke12:12) "Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.(Exodus4:12).
Be ready to Receive, Find and have Opened.
2. Teach from the scriptures. "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God." (Alma31:5).
"Now, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, according to the responsibility which I am under to God, to magnify mine office with soberness, and that I might rid my garments of your sins, I come up into the temple this day that I might declare unto you the word of God." (Jacob2:2).
3. Teach by the Spirit. "Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit; And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power,...".(D&C, 43:15 - 16). We are to teach the principles of the gospel to class members. The Holy Ghost will confirm to the hearts of the students that what has been taught to them is true. This is how teachers change lives. When the Spirit touches them, they will be reminded of what they were taught that week or even years into the future.
"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth." (D&C. 50:13-14).
"Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? And if it be by some other way it is not of God." (D&C. 50:17 - 18).
Use maps, paintings,video clips. These are to spice up the lesson. Use sparingly. Do not make a whole meal of spice. (Don't use an entire video for class) Save time for the lesson.
Testify. We must warm the students with the heat of our personal testimony. Never let your faith be difficult to detect. Be positive with the energy of the soul. Summarize and bear testimony to the truths taught in the lesson.
President Monson:
1. More blessed to give than receive. Become prepared to GIVE.
2. Have children memorize the Articles of Faith and be able to explain what each one means.
3. "Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;..." (D&C. 88:78)
Lesson heard. Heart gladened. :0)
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no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing... the truth of God will go forth till it has penetrated every website, sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done
We did laugh a little thoughthat Elder Holland said not to do anything grandiose and then had the man he confirmed in Bosnia during the war there in his class. :0)
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no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing... the truth of God will go forth till it has penetrated every website, sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done
You missed my husband's favorite part...no more official teacher development calling/regular classes...which gets him out of teaching after Church next week.
I just love when this sort of practical and inspired information trickles down! It is always so good, and builds me up probably more than those I am called to teach, which of course then means they get more truth via testimony and the Spirit.
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
If there's no more Teacher Developement calling, how will new teachers or people who are called as teachers who are stiff and boring learn how to be an effective teacher? Not everyone is a natural teacher, especially when it comes to teaching the gospel. And not every teacher will put forth the effort to learn to teach more effectively on their own.
When I was in the Sunday School presidency a couple years ago, teachers are still supposed to be getting training at the ward level. It is kind of the responsibility of the Bishop, delegated to the Sunday School presidency, to make sure that all teachers and instructors in a ward, not just Sunday School, are receiving the practical knowledge and tools they need in order to be effective at teaching the gospel. That also includes conducting a teacher development course of study when necessary. I think that optional course has been modified from years ago though.
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
RS presidencies should be training RS teachers. Primary presidencies should be training primary teachers. Sunday School, YM, YW, etc....
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no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing... the truth of God will go forth till it has penetrated every website, sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done
crazymom5 wrote: If there's no more Teacher Developement calling, how will new teachers or people who are called as teachers who are stiff and boring learn how to be an effective teacher? Not everyone is a natural teacher, especially when it comes to teaching the gospel. And not every teacher will put forth the effort to learn to teach more effectively on their own.
I hate to say this but many of those boring, stiff teachers weren't any better after training anyway. I can't seem to figure out how to take a boring stiff person and turn them into a speaking dynamo. It is against their nature.
Mahonri wrote: RS presidencies should be training RS teachers. Primary presidencies should be training primary teachers. Sunday School, YM, YW, etc....
That sounds right. I thought it had changed somewhat shortly after I was in the Sunday School presidency. The operative word in what you said is "should". It is kind of left up to the auxillary leaders to determine what sort of training to give. Question is, are the "trainers" any good at doing the "training"?
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
