"Lesson 1: The Importance of
Gospel Teaching in God’s Plan," Part G: The Teaching the Gospel Course,
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Purpose
To help class members increase their
desire to assist in the Lord’s work by teaching His gospel.
Note to the
Teacher
In His loving-kindness, our Father in
Heaven has provided teachers to help His children learn what they must do to
receive eternal life. Each of us is a beneficiary of gospel teaching, and each
of us has been commanded to teach the gospel to others. Your efforts in
teaching this course are part of this great work.
The following statements by President
Gordon B. Hinckley reflect a message that you should communicate to class
members throughout this course:
“We must strengthen ourselves and our
people to get our teachers to speak out of their hearts rather than out of
their books, to communicate their love for the Lord and this precious work, and
somehow it will catch fire in the hearts of those they teach” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 619–20).
“We have work to do, you and I, so
very much of it. Let us roll up our sleeves and get at it, with a new
commitment, putting our trust in the Lord. … We can do it, if we will be
prayerful and faithful. We can do better than we have ever done before” (in
Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 117; or Ensign, May
1995, 88).
With this message as its focus, this
lesson sets the tone for the entire Teaching the Gospel course.
Preparation
1. 1.
Prayerfully
study the scripture passages in this lesson. Seek to apply them to the purpose
of the lesson.
2. 2.
Study the section of this book titled “The
Importance of Gospel Teaching in God’s Plan”(pages 2–10).
3. 3.
Encourage
class members to come to class with their scriptures and a notebook. If
necessary, meet with a member of the bishopric to make arrangements to provide
notebooks for class members.
4. 4.
Obtain enough copies of Teaching, No Greater Call to give to class members who have not
yet received it.
Suggested Lesson
Development
Welcome class members to the course.
If you do not know them or if they do not know each other, invite them to
briefly introduce themselves.
Ensure that each class member has a
notebook to use during the lesson. Explain that the purpose of the notebooks is
to record notes, impressions, plans, experiences, and progress related to the
Teaching the Gospel course.
Teachers of the
gospel influence the lives of many people.
Story
Share the following story told by
President Thomas S. Monson:
“There was a Sunday School
teacher—never to be forgotten, ever to be remembered. We met for the first time
on a Sunday morning. She accompanied the Sunday School president into the
classroom and was presented to us as a teacher who actually requested the
opportunity to teach us. We learned that she had been a missionary and loved
young people. Her name was Lucy Gertsch. She was beautiful, soft-spoken, and
interested in us. She asked each class member to introduce himself or herself,
and then she asked questions that gave her an understanding and an insight into
the background of each boy, each girl. She told us of her childhood. … She
never raised her voice. Somehow rudeness and boisterousness were incompatible
with the beauty of her lessons. … She made the scriptures actually come to
life. We became personally acquainted with Samuel, David, Jacob, Nephi, and the
Lord Jesus Christ. Our gospel scholarship grew. Our deportment improved. Our
love for Lucy Gertsch knew no bounds. …
“The years have flown. … The boys and
girls who learned, who laughed, who grew under the direction of that inspired
teacher of truth have never forgotten her love or her lessons” (in Conference
Report, Apr. 1992, 81–82; or Ensign, May
1992, 59–60).
Testify to class members that their
efforts to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ can likewise touch the lives of
many people. Express your feelings about the importance of the call to teach.
Quotation
Have a class member read the
following statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:
“For each of us to ‘come unto
Christ,’ to keep His commandments and follow His example back to the Father, is
surely the highest and holiest purpose of human existence. To help others do
that as well—to teach, persuade, and prayerfully lead them to walk that path of
redemption also—surely that must be the second most significant task in our
lives” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 31; or Ensign, May 1998, 25).
Gospel teaching
plays an essential role in Heavenly Father’s plan.
Scripture
Discussion
Point out that teaching has always
played an important role in God’s plan of redemption. Have class members read
the scripture passages listed below. It may be helpful for you to explain the
background of each passage (for example, you could explain that Doctrine and Covenants
138 contains an
account of President Joseph F. Smith’s vision of the spirit world). Ask class
members to share insights they gain from these passages about the role that
teaching plays in Heavenly Father’s plan.
1. a.
Doctrine and Covenants
138:56. (We “received [our] first lessons in the world of spirits.”)
2. b.
Alma 12:27–32.
(After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, God helped them learn
of the plan of redemption. He sent angels to teach them, and He answered their prayers.
He gave them commandments after they
had been taught the plan of redemption.)
3. c.
Moses 6:57–58.
(The Lord commanded Adam and Eve to teach the gospel freely to their children.)
Summarize the discussion by reading Romans 10:13–15, 17 and 2 Nephi 2:8.
Bear your testimony of the role of gospel teaching in Heavenly Father’s plan.
We have many
opportunities to learn the gospel and teach it to others.
Quotations
Point out that Church members teach
the gospel in many different roles. Then ask five different class members to
read the statements below. Note that each statement is directed to a specific
group of people.
Teacher
Presentation
Suggest that class members consider
the different teachers described in the statements that have been read:
parents, priesthood and auxiliary leaders, teachers in Church classrooms, home
teachers, visiting teachers, and those who teach by example. Invite each class
member to briefly tell about someone who, in one or more of these roles, has
helped him or her gain a better understanding of the gospel and a greater
desire to live according to its principles.
Testimony
Speak briefly about the blessings
that come to us because of our many opportunities to learn and teach the
gospel—in our homes, in the Church, and in our everyday associations. Express
your gratitude for these opportunities. Emphasize that the Lord provides these
opportunities to help us resist the evil teachings and influences that surround
us. Share the following statement by President Gordon B. Hinckley:
“There is hunger in the land, and a
genuine thirst—a great hunger for the word of the Lord and an unsatisfied
thirst for things of the Spirit. … The world is starved for spiritual food.
Ours is the obligation and the opportunity to nourish the soul” (“Feed the
Spirit, Nourish the Soul,” Ensign, Oct.
1998, 2).
The purpose of
the Teaching the Gospel course is to help us improve as teachers.
Teacher
Presentation
Read the statements by President
Gordon B. Hinckley included in “Note to the Teacher” on page 189.
After reading President Hinckley’s
statements, point out that the purpose of the Teaching the Gospel course is to
help us teach the gospel of Jesus Christ “better than we have ever done
before.”
Explain that resources for the course
are the scriptures,Teaching, No Greater Call, and the “Gospel Teaching and
Leadership” section of the Church Handbook of Instructions.
Give copies of Teaching, No Greater Call to class members who have not yet
received it. Tell class members that this book contains materials that relate
to the lessons in the course. They will benefit from reading these materials
before and after each lesson.
Explain that this course builds a
foundation for gospel teaching. It focuses on principles and teaching methods
that apply to all age-groups and cultures. There are 12 lessons in the course.
The titles of the upcoming 11 lessons show what class members can expect from
the course. Have class members turn to page vi of this book to see the titles
of the lessons.
Offer to help class members as they
strive to apply the principles taught in the course. In addition, encourage
each class member to:
1. a.
Study the scriptures; Teaching, No Greater Call; and the “Gospel Teaching and
Leadership” section of theChurch Handbook of Instructions.
2. b.
Bring the
scriptures to class each week.
3. c.
Bring their
notebooks to class each week.
4. d.
Come to class
each week prepared to participate in the lessons and contribute to the learning
of others in the class.
5. e.
Ponder and
pray about opportunities to teach.
6. f.
Begin to
develop and implement a personal plan for improving as a teacher.
Conclusion
Quotation
Invite a class member to read the
following statement by Elder Boyd K. Packer:
“It has been said that the
responsibility of Church members is divided into three main categories: to
provide for the salvation of the living members of the Church, to accomplish
the necessary work for our kindred dead, and to preach the gospel to all the
world. All of these responsibilities require learning, and all that is learned
must somehow be taught. We are among those who must teach it” (Teach Ye Diligently, rev.
ed. [1991], 7).
Summary
Summarize the principles you have
discussed.
Testimony
Share your testimony as prompted by
the Spirit.
Assignments
Encourage class members to:
1. 1.
Write in their
notebooks about teaching and learning opportunities that come as they participate
in the course.
2. 2.
Seek the guidance of the Spirit (the Holy Ghost) in connection
with an upcoming family home evening lesson, Church assignment, or other
opportunity to teach. Remember the Lord’s words: “The Spirit shall be given
unto you by the prayer of faith” (D&C 42:14).
Write in their notebooks about their experiences with this assignment. (As part
of lesson 3, some class members will be asked to report on these experiences.)
3. 3.
Review the principles taught in this lesson by studying the
section of this book titled “The
Importance of Gospel Teaching in God’s Plan”(pages 2–10).
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