Invite Diligent Learning

Invite Diligent Learning

December 2010 Edgemont Stake Sunday School Teaching Message

“A teacher’s responsibility is to awaken in others the desire to study, understand, and live the gospel. To fulfill this responsibility, you can focus on three things:

1. Awaken and hold the interest of those you teach. A key to doing this is your own enthusiasm for studying the gospel. Another is your use of teaching methods that make your lessons clear, interesting, and easy to remember. Awakening interest is especially important at the beginning of a lesson. As you plan your teaching, look for ways to invite the Spirit, get everyone’s attention with an interesting beginning, and focus on the doctrine or principle to be taught in the lesson.

2. Encourage participation. Plan ways to have everyone participate in your lessons. You might ask someone to read a quotation or scripture or to tell a story. You might invite them to respond to questions and freely discuss the lesson material. You might ask one or more individuals to sing a song or play an instrument. You might prayerfully select someone to bear testimony or share a personal experience that relates to the lesson topic. Sometimes it will be important to request this participation in advance so that those you ask can practice and feel comfortable participating.

The main idea of one teacher’s lesson was the importance of reading the Book of Mormon. He invited the youth in his class to think of a passage of scripture that had changed their lives. He then invited three or four volunteers to stand and share their scriptural passages with the class and to describe how the passages had changed their lives. As each person shared sweet feelings about the power of the Book of Mormon, class members gained an earnest desire to read and ponder the scriptures daily.

Some people are reluctant to participate. Do not ask individuals to read aloud or pray until you are sure they feel comfortable doing so. If you have any doubt about a person’s willingness to participate, ask for volunteers rather than calling on someone who might be reluctant. Most learners will gradually learn to feel comfortable participating if they see that those who participate are treated with respect and courtesy.

3. Help them apply what they learn. You also should help learners apply what is taught to the circumstances of their lives. This may include giving assignments and challenges that help class members have learning experiences with the truths that are taught. Remember that gospel learning is of no value unless it becomes gospel living”.