[Teachldsseminary] QUES: First day and week of teaching seminary
Francisca
fmmvanroosmalen at hetnet.nl
Sat Jul 1 02:38:30 MDT 2006
I love these quotes! When I use quotes during the lesson I always make sure that I have them either on a glue in, or just printed on a handout, so that they can read along (and it is funny to hear years later from them that they used that glue in, or hand out, during a question in Sunday School or while preparing a talk :).
Teaching seminary can feel like an overwhelming task, but I always try to remember that it is important to let the Spirit teach the spirit of the children. The Spirit will know what they all personally need to hear at that moment. Reading Scriptures together, having them tell the class what their thoughts are about what they have read, using the manuals that are given to you and giving your testimony, will be great ingredients for a good lesson!
I only teach once a week, but a great way of starting a lesson is to ask each of them personally (I have 5 students) what it was that has touched them last week, while reading the assignment. They all get a turn, so they think about it during the week. It is interesting to see what they come up with!
There has also been times that I assigned each student a part of the reading assignment, and ask them to come up with as many as questions as they can think of about that assignment. During the lesson each will get a turn to share them their questions, and we (the class) will come up with the answers. I always have some quotes, or some back ground information from both manuals in the back of my mind (or on a paper, handout of glue in) that we can use during the time that we discuss our answers that are given. Those are the most meaningful lessons, because they really have to think about what they have read, they have found their own answer, and then we can talk about what we all feel about our own answers, and see what our church leaders say about that topic.
I once read a great idea to say the following, before reading a quote: Let's turn to DC ...., and see what the Lord has said about this subject'. Or "Let's read the following quote to hear what the prophet (apostle, president...) has said about this topic'.
I wish you all the best while preparing yourself for the first lesson and first week. You can do it! The Lord will help you when you turn to Him for help. I've discovered myself that sometimes I just try to rely too much on my own abilities, while I also could rely on His help when needed. It might be also a good idea to read some talk, given to seminary teachers, that you can find at www.ldsces.org
Francisca, in the Netherlands
----- Original Message -----
From: debra storm
To: Free Email list for LDS Seminary Teachers
Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2006 6:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Teachldsseminary] QUES: First day and week of teaching seminary
Years back when the Church held CES symposiums, I took a class by an
instructor who always gave the first week's lesson ideas. I cannot remember
his name, but he was fabulous. His goal was to make the first few days fun
and exciting for the students so that they will want to come back. I do not
have his outline for the DC first week but based upon his ideas I have come
up with a rough draft of the first day's lesson for DC year:
*First Day D&C Four P's: Picture, Prophets, People and a Promise*
*READINESS*:
- have on the table a small jar with 136 pieces of various candy (do
not let anyone know the number). Have small pieces of paper at each table
with pencils.
- have each student's name misspelled on a 3X5 card and place it on a
chair . As each student comes into the room, have them find their name tag
and sit in that chair
- make a transparency of front cover of institute manual "Church
History in the Fullness of Times"
*OPENING*: Welcome class. Introduce yourself. Welcome the bishop.
Sing opening song / have prayer
Invite Bishop to share his favorite scripture from the DC and / or share his
favorite church history story (about 5 minutes)
*PICTURE*: Show picture (backside of Joseph walking out of the sacred
grove)
"This is not the typical picture we see when we learn about the First
Vision, but this is one of my favorite pictures."
Have a student describe what he sees.
- What do you think Joseph knows now, that he didn't know when he went
into the grove?
List responses on the board: *( questions will get answers, truth about the
Godhead, Satan is real, God delivers, no church on the earth was fully
true, the worth of a soul – God knew Joseph by name, etc)*
* *
- When you think of the Joseph's experience, what do you think of?
(accept all answers, but the one I am looking for is the feeling that this
is a once-in-the-history-of –the-earth experience. Joseph was beyond
exceptional to have this experience)
The expanse of the vision may be unique, but the experience of receiving
revelation in many ways is ordinary.
*Quote*: Bruce R. McConkie said, *"Every investigator, in due course, stands
exactly where Joseph Smith stood. He hears the cry, 'Lo, here is Christ,'
and 'Lo, there'. He must decide for himself which of all the churches is
right and which he should join. At his peril, he must find where the truth
lies. And so, learning of the doctrine, and hearing the testimony, the
obligation rests with him to do what the ancients did, to ask god for
wisdom."* (Era, Dec. 1962)
Not only does every investigator of the Church find themselves at the point
where they have to choose, I think each of us will find our self standing at
crossroads with our testimonies, not sure where to go, or what path to
choose. We, too, have to come to know for ourselves what is truth. Each of
us will need to have our own 'Sacred Grove' experience that will forever
change us.
As we study the DC this year, we will learn, among many other truths, how to
receive our own revelations.
*PEOPLE*: I have here a count-me-jar. Inside are pieces of candy numbering
how many names are mentioned in the Doctrine of Covenants. Often times in
the scriptures, names of people are not specifically mentioned, but you can
tell by the number of pieces of candy in this jar that there are quite a
few. Write your guesses as to how many people are mentioned by name—the
closest person wins the jar. (Answer: 136)
- How did you feel when you noticed your name on the chair misspelled?
How would you feel if when you got your mission call, the wrong name
appeared on your papers? or on your patriarchal blessing or when you are
sealed to your eternal companion or on your baptismal certificate? What is
required on these special documents? Why do you have to have your full name
on them? Are names important?
This year we will study the lives of these individuals as we study the
doctrines in the Doctrine & Covenants and the history of the Church,
including all of our latter-day prophets. I will be passing out to you
throughout the year *People/Place*
cards<http://www.latter-dayvillage.com/content/article.php?id=4320>,
which you will collect and keep on a large ring. By the end of the year, you
will have a greater understanding of many of the famous, and infamous people
who's choices have changes the course of history not only for their
immediate families, but often, for generations to come.
Pass out first blank card and have each student write his name on front,
leaving space for their school picture. Have them write one thing about
themselves.
*PROPHETS*
- What do you really know about this set of scriptures known as the
Doctrine & Covenants? (as a students answers, toss out a piece of small
candy to him)
*Quote*: Joseph Fielding Smith said of the DC: *"In my judgment there is no
book on earth yet come to man as important as the book known as the Doctrine
and Covenants…[it] stands in a peculiar position above them all (the BoM,
Bible, and Pof GP). I am going to tell you why…the Bible is a history
containing the doctrine and commandments given to the people anciently. That
applies also to the Book of Mormon. It is the doctrine and the history and
the commandments of the people who dwelt upon this continent anciently. But
this Doctrine And Covenants contains the word of God to those who dwell here
now. It is our book. It belongs to the Latter-day Saints. More precious than
gold, the Prophet says we should treasure it more than the riches of the
whole earth. I wonder if we do?..." (Doc. of Salv. 3:198-99)*
Have class open their scriptures to DC 1:17. Have a student stand and read
this verse.
Have him read this verse again, *substituting his name for Joseph's*.
Have a few more students stand and read this verse, *substituting their
names for Joseph's*.
- What commandments did the Lord give to Joseph? To each of us?
Read verse 18-23
- Can you identify the commandment? (verse 18- that we should proclaim
these things-
- What are "*these things*"? (the revealed doctrines and the restored
covenants- to the world)
- Whoa- a bit scary! What does the Lord expect will happen when we
proclaim these things? (vv 19-22)
*PROMISE*: There is an apostolic promise given to each of us who chooses to
read and study this sacred work.
*Quote*: President Joseph Fielding Smith promised us this: *"If we will put
them (the doctrines taught) into practice, if we will keep the commandments
of the Lord, we will know the truth, and there shall be no weapon formed
against us that shall prosper (see DC 71:9-11). There shall be no false
doctrines, no teachings of men that will deceive us. There are many cults
and many false faiths, there are many strange ideas in the world, but if we
will search these revelations then we will be fortified against errors and
we will be made strong." (CR, Oct, 1931, p. 17)*
Challenge and testify
Hope this idea helps!
Debra
On 7/1/06, Debbie <debbie57 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I hope I did the subject right.........I have a question. This might
> seem odd, but I'm a first year teacher and I'm excited, but SO nervous!
> I'm not sure why. I keep reading and reading material and my
> scriptures, but yet I have this nervous feeling about my first day and
> week! I'm in a brand new branch. I don't know the students and they
> don't know me. I"m sure that's part of the nervousness.
>
> My question: How do you experienced teachers plan on
> "teaching"/"conducting" your first day and week. I think I'm just
> having trouble getting past that initial first day and week.
>
> Thank you SO much!
>
>
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