Gospel Teaching--Our Most Important Calling

My thoughts on Bro. Oswald's talk "Gospel Teaching--Our Most Important Calling"

I couldn't agree more with the title. I've learned over the years that the best way to learn something is to teach it.

I'm sorry to say that I believe that teaching has become a lost art. We don't have great teachers anymore and it is evident in the lack of knowledge our youth have of the gospel principles. It floors me to have conversations with the youth today and their lack of knowledge of the scriptures and the basic gospel principles contained. I will point the finger squarely at the parents and somewhat at their teachers. Maybe it is the fact that the teachers don't know themselves.

I love the story he starts out with--jumping rope. I can't jump rope to save my life so I can relate to the story. I guess I better learn the basic principles again. "It was a simple thing that all of them could do after learning a few basic principles and being shown how."

Our teens are lacking the "basic principles" and "being shown how." Our teachers today do not know how to teach. I watch it weekly in church and hear comments from my own children. How sad!

"Every position in the Church requires an effective teacher."

AMEN!

Brother Oswald talks about how to be an effective teacher.

"First, we need to understand these basic principles, and second we need to be shown how they are used by successful teachers."

I guess we need to students before we can become teachers. We must study the scriptures own our own (or with our Sunday School class--not just on Sunday) and learn what is found inside the covers. Pick up extra help from commentaries, scour the church's website, etc. to help us understand the doctrine. (D&C 88:77-80)

Then we need to seek out great teachers and learn to be a teacher ourselves. I love the book "Teaching, No Greater Call." Is is perfect for learning how to teach. (Note to self--reread the book.)

And of course our perfect teaching example is the Savior. He taught in so many ways and so effectively. We should look to him and learn.

"Notice the personal preparation of the sons of Mosiah as they prepared to teach the gospel:"
(Oh, I love this list!)
1. Waxed strong in knowledge of truth.
2. Were of a sound understanding
3. Searched the scriptures diligently
4. Knew the word of God.
5. Given themselves to much prayer and fasting
6. Had the spirit of prophesy & revelation
7. Taught by power and authority of God

Just sends chills up your spine when you think what kind of army our Father could have if we all did these things. What kind of teachers would be sitting and instructing our children if they all did this? WOW!

Brother Oswald gives us 3 principles of teaching.
1. Show love to those you teach and call them by name.
2. Teach from the scriptures.
3. Encourage the pondering of gospel truths.

I want to say duh to each of these but sometimes we get caught up in the program that we forget these are the basic principles of successful teaching--secular as well as gospel.

As I write this I'm teaching a lesson in Primary tomorrow on reverence. The primary president is so caught up in making sure that we follow the book that if I were to follow her ideas I would be scripted and not be able to teach from the scriptures the doctrine these children need to learn most of all--That reverence invites the spirit of revelation to enter the room and testify to them the truthfulness of the gospel. These children who are so precious to our Heavenly Father are very irreverent (and I know the causes--I can tell which teachers come prepared and ready). They need the lesson behind the reason we are reverent in church. Somehow I need to be prepared to teach it. Pray for me!