During
Gospel Instruction, Class, Lessons, & Music
“To
help others want to learn, our teaching must be
interesting.
To
help them understand, our teaching must be
clear.
To
help them retain and ponder what they learn, our teaching must be
memorable.”
( Teaching, No Greater Call)
The
gospel can be presented in a number of different ways. I always use
the potato as an example of a vegetable that can be prepared many
ways. If you served mashed potatoes each and every night you would
soon tire of it. No teacher should fall into a monotonous pattern of
presenting lessons the same way week after week. Use variety to help
learners understand and retain and also to help you feel excited
about your call. Take time to make sure that you are using different
and a variety of methods each and every week.
- In the case of young children, engage, engage, and engage the learners. There are many resources available. Practice using the methods before you teach them. There is an excellent chart on page 90 of Teaching No Greater Call. Look at this chart, make a copy of it and keep tabs of what you are doing on the chart. This book TNGC should go hand in hand with your manual whether it is a class, Sharing Time Gospel Instruction, or Music you are teaching. It will give you ideas and confidence in your calling. The Lord has provided this wonderful tool for you to be successful in teaching his little ones.
- In the month of August the outline for sharing time/gospel instruction helps uses storytelling; an object lesson; questions before you read so they can find the answer; stations where the children visit and read, listen and look; discussions; memorizing a scripture by using first letters; group activity of drawing and sharing their drawings; a scripture activity with the children engaged; and helps with adapting for the size of your primary. (A variety of 9 ideas!)
- In music first you need to know the song, practice practice, and practice. The suggested outline has you singing the song to the children, with something for them to listen and count; then the children clap the rhythm while you sing; display simple pictures with key words and engage them in an activity with the words and pictures; sing phrases; repeat activity; and sing the entire song several times. Testify of the importance of trying to be like Jesus. These are the helps given for the month. (A variety of 9 ideas here also)
- Be brave, have faith, try new ideas, plan ahead and use variety.by Jackie Bowen
