Teaching with the Spirit – Assuring an Abundance of Participation

March 2010                                                            Relief Society Teachers Newsletter

The purpose of this newsletter is to bring to mind ways in which we can teach effectively with the Spirit. This month the focus is abundant participation. We pray that you will use this newsletter as a resource and set goals in your teaching.

TEACHING RESOURCES

• Scriptures
• Church Magazines
• Gospel Principles p. 1-3
• Family Guidebook
• A Parents Guide
• Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting Booklets
• “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”
• “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles”
• Family Home Evening Resource Book
• Teaching, No Greater Call
• Providing in the Lords Way
• LDS.org
• ProvidentLiving.org

SCRIPTURES

“Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of Truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth? Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:21-22)

“For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will – yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, not yet entered into the heart of man.” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:10)

RECOMMENDED READING:

To Understand and Live Truth (Richard G Scott, CES, February 4, 2005)

Leading Class Discussions (Robb Jones, Ensign, Jun 2009, 24-25)

Teaching No Greater Call Chapters 13-19

Chapter 13: Helping Individuals Take Responsibility for Gospel Learning

Chapter 14: Conducting Discussions

Chapter 15: Listening

Chapter 16: Teaching with Questions

Chapter 17: Helping Learners Be Attentive

Chapter 18: How to Tell if they are Learning

Chapter 19: Helping Others Live What they Learn

ASSURING AN ABUNDANCE OF PARTICIPATION

“Assure that there is abundant participation because that use of agency by a student authorizes the Holy Ghost to instruct.” (Richard G Scott, To Understand and Live Truth, 3)

“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)

“Creating an atmosphere of participation enhances the probability that the Spirit will teach more important lessons than you can communicate. That participation will bring into their lives the direction of the spirit. When you encourage students to raise their hands to respond to a question, while they may not realize it, they signify to the Holy Ghost their willingness to learn.“ (Boyd K Packer)

“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)

“The learning has to be done by the pupil. Therefore it is the pupil who has to be put into action. When a teacher takes the spotlight, becomes the star or the show, does all the talking, and otherwise takes over all of the activity, it is almost certain that he is interfering with the learning of the class members.” Teaching the Gospel, A Handbook for CES Teachers and Leaders)

“It is the teachers’ responsibility to introduce the lesson and help lay the groundwork. The middle part belongs to the students where they participate and work toward understanding and application. Then the teacher must watch the time, because she owns the last few minutes of class. She has a responsibility to clarify and summarize the doctrine taught so that learners will not leave confused about the message. Then she can bear personal testimony of the principle under discussion.” (Virginia H Pearce, Ensign, Nov 1996, 11)

“To learn by faith, students need opportunities to take action… It is in that moment that the Spirit teaches.” (Kim B Clark, BYU-Idaho, Oct 11, 2005)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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

Why is the Holy Ghost considered the true teacher?

How can I as the teacher assist the class to learn by faith?

• Posted in: Teaching with the Spirit