[Teachldsseminary] CHAT: Helping students learn to truly study thescriptures

[Kim]

Kim, 

We had a tri-stake activity a few weeks ago in which my CES coordinator
introduced our seminary lettering program to the youth.  He had a brochure
that he passed out to the kids with the requirements as well as a few ideas
and principles, etc. One of those ideas was a great list similar to what you
are trying to come up with.  This is all so new to my students (this is my
3rd year teaching, but my first in this part of the country).  I am trying
to introduce one of these concepts a week by trying to implement it in as
many lessons that week as it is applicable.  I then add it to an idea list
that I have on the wall.  Here is the list my coordinator came up with:  

1.  "I really like that verse because . . . "
2.  "Hey, Look! I found a cool principle . . ."
3.  "Here's a great power phrase, punch line, or kicker!  It's a great
sentence sermon!"
4.  "A-ha!  I just had an epiphany (a sudden realization of the meaning of
something)!"
5.  "Wait a minute.  I have a question about that."
6.  "I am not sure I understand.  Can you help me understand the meaning?"
7.  "I know a great cross-reference for that verse."
8.  "I know this verse is true because . . . "
9.  "This verse really helped me one time when . . . "
10.  "I think this verse is teaching us to . . ."
11.  "I know a scripture mastery verse that goes with that . . ."
12.  "I just found a really cool footnote!"
13.  "This verse makes me feel . . ."
14.  "I want to testify this verse of scripture is true!"
15.  "Wow, I just struck Gold!  Look at this principle!"

This is something that I think we all have to learn.  It has been slow in
coming with my class, but I am seeing progress in the right direction.  I am
hoping that by putting a specific question on the board for them to answer
while they read a block of scripture (tomorrow we are working on "I think
this verse is teaching us to . . .") and then having them posted in the room
as a reminder that my students will begin to grasp the concepts and applying
them to their own scripture reading.  Hopefully this list will give you some
ideas to help your class as well.  I would love to hear more ideas to add to
the list.  

~Kim Jenkins
 EMS - Savannah, GA 
"Joy is a soul quality and is untouched by outer circumstances."  Unknown

-----Original Message-----
From: teachldsseminary-bounces at latter-dayvillage.com
[mailto:teachldsseminary-bounces at latter-dayvillage.com] On Behalf Of Kim
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 12:46 AM
To: 'Free Email list for LDS Seminary Teachers'
Subject: [Teachldsseminary] CHAT: Helping students learn to truly study
thescriptures

We had a wonderful inservice meeting last week in which we saw a video of a
seminary teacher at work with her students.  She was absolutely
inspirational in the way she used the teaching emphasis with the students
and gave them guidelines for how we study the scriptures.  One of the great
things she did was to have a list of "statement starters" to help the kids
realize that they were being influenced by the Spirit as they read and to
help stimulate discussion about the scriptures within class.  I LOVE this
idea and am trying to come up with my own list of such statements based on
the teaching emphasis, but being a first year seminary teacher and learning
myself what it means to truly study the scriptures, I'm finding my attempts
to be rather pathetic.  The ideas I have had, so show you examples of what
I'm looking for are:

I can relate to this scripture because..... (encourages personal
application)

This reminds me of this other scripture...... (making connections between
different scriptures helps increase understanding of them)

I recognize this!  It's the principle/doctrine of.... (identifying
principles and doctrines)



Does anyone else have ideas I could add to this list?

Kim 
Plainfield, IL


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