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Sunday Lessons: Teaching Something “New”
By Rebecca | March 22, 2008
“I feel like I just can’t come up with anything “new” to teach and that we teach the same concept with not much “material” for 4 weeks straight.
I don’t want to sound like a Laman and Lemual, but can someone help me out here? What do you do to teach the same topic every week and sound different?”
The principles of the gospel have been the same since before the “foundation of the world.” This means that, by definition, teaching the gospel requires teaching the same principles over and over again. Knowing this, however, doesn’t exactly make it easier trying keep the attention of a room full of distracted Young Women.
Class participation and discussion are effective ways to promote a learning environment. Not only does it make each girl feel important but it allows them to ponder the principles being taught–opening them to the promptings of the Spirit.
The instructor for our Stake Institute Class has a very effective teaching technique that I have often tried to imitate. (I must say that it has never worked quite as well for me as for him but I like to think it’s because he has had more practice. Still, it seems to work better for me than other things I have tried.)
It starts with something to read and a question. Usually he has verses of scriptures or a passage from a talk that he asks us to read during the class. Before we begin, he asks a question and has us look for the answer in the reading. Sometimes he even asks us to take notes about our thoughts or impressions while we read.
After reading, he will ask us to split into small groups or pairs and share our thoughts with each other. This allows every member of the class to talk about what they have read and to teach one another. It is also easier for some people to participate when they don’t have to first comment in front of the entire class.
After the small group discussions, the class as a whole discusses the question and what was learned from the reading. This is where the preparation of the instructor comes into play. He often punctuates the discussion with scriptures, quotes or comments of his own.
It has been my experience that this type of exercise allows multiple opportunities to learn through the Spirit. First, there is a chance to search the words of the prophets with purpose and, perhaps, to record promptings. Second, students are able to speak and listen. Third, they are able to select those things that in the experience that are of most value and share them with the class.
Often during these classes, the most memorable teachings come from other students rather than from the instructor. And, of course, the ultimate teacher, the Holy Ghost will testify to the truth of the gospel no matter who is teaching it. No matter what teaching method is used, if the Holy Ghost is present, teacher and students will be instructed and uplifted.
Topics: Advice, Attitude, Scriptures, Teaching, Testimony, Young Women |
