Lesson 1: Importance of Gospel Teaching in God’s Plan

You can explore the actual lesson outlined in Teaching, No Greater Call here.  Below is a summary outline of the discussion held in class.  If you have any questions, email Marshall Snedaker at sne00005@gmail.com.

Lesson 1 PDF Outline
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Since I had the opportunity to teach, I wanted to share some of the things that I learned from the lesson.

1.  I realized that not only are we all teachers in various aspects of our lives, but we have a responsibility to speak up and influence those around us.  In fact if we don't speak up and take advantage of opportunities to teach - we are often more worried about ourselves.  We discussed a great story by President Monson about a Sunday School teacher that influenced him and we all thought about people in our own lives that have been influential.  Those people cared enough to make a difference - and the influencers in our lives could be anyone: our soccer coach, our mom, a sunday school teacher, a webelos leader, etc.  So the question in response to this was:  What can I do to be a teacher that becomes a major influence that impacts lives?

2.  We pointed out the idea that "nourishing souls" would imply a consistent approach to teaching.   As we know most FHE doesn't always turn out picture perfect, but the consistency is key.  Although our kids may not enjoy it while they grow up or whatever - one day they will remember and appreciate.  the consistency of teaching builds trust and if we regularly take advantage of opportunities to teach - those around us will know that we will always respond in a consistent, influential way.  As we build trust, people will be more likely to respond.

3.  A thought that initially sprang from my study is this:  In a way our efforts as teachers basically "trains" those whom we teach to effectilvey use their free agency.  The idea of charging our batteries at church for the next week carries with it the idea of arming ourselves w the spiritual strength to combat trials and temptations.  In other words, as we attend church regularly and consistently we empower ourselves with a greater ability to leverage our free agency.  Another aspect as parents we need to understand is that we are training our kids to one day rely on their own testimony and responsibly make decisions.  We are raising our kids and training them to face the world on their own one day.  In this light teaching becomes a way of "leading" rather than managing.  We inspire those whom we teach with truth so they can decide for themselves how they will respond to life's challenges.  As we teach we should keep this in mind: so we don't necessarily spoon feed answers, but rather challenge those whom we teach to user their agency and inspiration from the Holy Ghost to find answers.  If we teach correctly, we empower those around us to be more self-reliant.

- Marshall

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Question:  What role(s) does teaching play in your life?

We All Teach

When the resurrected Savior taught the Nephites, He said: “Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do” (3 Nephi 18:24).  In this instruction the Lord made no distinction among those who heard His voice. All are commanded to teach. We teach as…

• -     Parent
• -     Son
• -     Daughter
• -     Husband
• -     Wife
• -     Brother
• -     Sister
• -     Church Leader
• -     Classroom Teacher
• -     Home Teacher
• -     Visiting Teacher
• -     Coworker
• -     Neighbor
• -     Friend

There Are Always Opportunities

Boyd K. Packer has observed that when a person in a position to correct (teach) another fails to do so, he is thinking of himself.  – Elder D Todd Christofferson

Question:  How does our consistency in teaching others develop trust?

Opportunity to Nourish the Soul

“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).” - Gordon B. Hinckley

Our Second Task in Life

“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. Perhaps that is why President David O. McKay once said, ‘No greater responsibility can rest upon any man [or woman], than to be a teacher of God’s children’” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 30–31; or Ensign, May 1998, 25).” - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Intelligent Use of Agency

“I have heard a few parents state that they don’t want to impose the gospel on their children but want them to make up their own minds about what they will believe and follow. They think that in this way they are allowing children to exercise their agency. What they forget is that the intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of the truth, of things as they really are (see D&C 93:24). Without that, young people can hardly be expected to understand and evaluate the alternatives that come before them.”

- Elder D Todd Christofferson

Question:  As teachers, how are we training others to apply and exercise their agency?

Your Influence Can Impact Lives

“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) – Thomas S. Monson

 The Role Teachers Play in Heavenly Father’s Plan 

• Doctrine and Covenants 138:56 (We “received [our] first lessons in the world of spirits.” Joseph F Smith’s vision of sprit world.)
• 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.)
• Moses 6:57–58 (The Lord commanded Adam and Eve to teach the gospel freely to their children.)
• Romans 10:13–15, 17 and 2 Nephi 2:8

We Can Do Better Than We Have Ever Done Before

“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). – Gordon B. Hinckley

Course Outline

Lesson 1, “The Importance of Gospel Teaching in God’s Plan,” sets the tone for the entire Teaching the Gospel course. It focuses on the Lord’s grand design to teach us the plan of redemption. The lesson teaches that we can assist in this sacred work.

Lessons 2, 3, and 4 present three fundamental principles of gospel teaching: “Love Those You Teach,” “Teach by the Spirit,” and “Teach the Doctrine.”

Lesson 5, “Invite Diligent Learning,” focuses on helping individuals take responsibility for learning the gospel. Lessons 6 and 7, both titled “Create a Learning Atmosphere,” show how to prevent and solve problems that can arise in teaching situations. In lessons 8 and 9, both titled “Use Effective Methods,” you will teach and discuss the effective use of a variety of teaching methods. Lesson 10, “Prepare Every Needful Thing,” shows how to plan lessons.

In lessons 11 and 12 you will help class members apply everything that they have learned in the first 10 lessons. Lesson 11, “Improve upon Your Talents,” helps class members make a personal plan for improvement and shows how the many resources available in the ward can help them carry out this plan successfully. Lesson 12, “Go Forth and Teach,” gives class members the opportunity to teach one another by sharing what they have learned during the course.