Teaching, No Greater Call

Teaching, No Greater Call: A Resource Guide for Gospel Teaching

Part A: Your Call to Teach—The Importance of Gospel Teaching in God’s Plan

Lesson 1: No Greater Call pg 4

The Lord said, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). As you think of the role of gospel teaching in the salvation and exaltation of God’s children, can you imagine a duty more noble or sacred? It calls for your diligent efforts to increase your understanding and improve your skills, knowing that the Lord will magnify you as you teach in the way He has commanded. It is a labor of love—an opportunity to help others exercise their agency righteously, come unto Christ, and receive the blessings of eternal life.

Lesson 2: Nourishing the Soul pg 5 & 10

Some people may not seem interested in hearing the principles of the gospel. You should prayerfully search for a way to teach them those principles anyway. You should always remember the goal to help others be “nourished by the good word of God” (Moroni 6:4).

…our efforts to help our children establish a heritage of rich spiritual memories are never wasted. Sometimes the seeds we plant may not bear fruit for years, but we may take comfort in the hope that someday the children we teach will remember how they have ‘received and heard’ the things of the Spirit. They will remember what they know and what they have felt. They will remember their identity as children of Heavenly Father, who sent them here with a divine purpose” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 109; or Ensign, May 1996, 79).

We are appointed:

1. To teach the principles of the gospel

2. Out of the standard works

3. By the power of the Holy Ghost,

4. Always applying the teachings to our needs, and

5. To testify that what we have taught is true.

Part A: Your Call to Teach—Prepare Yourself Spiritually

Lesson 4: Seeking the Gift of Charity pg. 12

Pray to be filled with love.

Lesson 5: Seeking the Spirit pg. 13

Part A: Your Call to Teach—Improve upon Your Talents

Lesson 10: Looking for Lessons Everywhere pg. 22

Developing a Teacher’s Eyes and Ears pg. 22 & 23

·         Study lessons well in advance

·         Pray every day for help in your preparations

Keeping Track of impressions That Come pg. 23

Part B: Basic Principles of Gospel Teaching—Love Those You Teach

 Lesson 1: Love Softens Hearts pg. 31

The Power of a Teacher’s Love

As we show love for those we teach, they become more receptive to the Spirit. They become more enthusiastic about learning and more open to us and others in the group. Often, they awaken to a renewed sense of their eternal worth and a greater desire for righteousness.

How Christlike Love Affects Our Teaching

If we want to influence learners for good, we should not merely love to teach; we should love each person we teach. We should measure our success by the progress of those we teach, not by the excellence of our performance.

Lesson 2: Understanding Those You Teach pg. 33

….try to teach gospel principles in a way that will relate to their understanding and experience.

Getting to Know Each Person You Teach

Lesson 3: Reaching Out To The One pg. 35

Reaching Out to Individuals When You Meet Together

Even when you teach many people at the same time, you can reach out to individuals. 

Lesson 7: Teaching With Testimony pg. 43 

Lesson 8: Inviting The Spirit As You Teach pg. 45

Part B: Basic Principles of Gospel Teaching—Invite Diligent Learning

Lesson 18: How to Tell if They Are Learning pg. 73

How to Determine If Learners Understand

Elder Boyd K. Packer taught: “The eyes of the alert teacher move constantly back and forth across the class, taking in each movement, recording each expression, responding quickly to disinterest or confusion. They read immediately a puzzled expression or sense at once when learning has taken place” (Teach Ye Diligently, rev. ed. [1991], 164–65).

·         Restate principles

·         Illustrate the principles you are teaching

·         Ask questions that require learners to express their understanding of principles being taught.

Part B: Basic Principles of Gospel Teaching—Create a Learning Atmosphere

Lesson 22: How Teachers Can Contribute to a Learning Atmosphere pg. 79

Part B: Basic Principles of Gospel Teaching—Use Effective Methods

Lesson 25: Teaching With Variety pg. 89

Lesson 26: Choosing Appropriate Methods pg. 91

·         Will the method invite the Spirit?

·         Does the method match the sacredness of the principles I am teaching?

·         Will the method edify and strengthen those I teach?

·         Is the material Church –approved?

·         Have I followed correct procedures in preparation to use the method?

Lesson 27: Choosing Effective Methods pg. 92

Effective teaching methods make lessons clear, interesting, and memorable.

Lesson 28: Beginning The Lesson pg. 93

·         Using an Object Lesson

·         Writing Questions on the Chalkboard

·         Sharing a Story

Part C: Teaching Different Age-Groups

Lesson 1: Teaching Children pg. 108

As you teach children, you will find that you receive special blessings. Children will bring joy to your soul and prompt you to be a good example.

Guidelines for Understanding and Teaching Children

·         Children are believing.

·         Children can recognize the influence of the Spirit.

·         Children take things literally.

·         Children are curious and eager to learn. They enjoy learning through varied and new experiences. They want to move about, use all their senses, explore, and try new things. Older children like the challenge of answering questions and solving problems. The children in your class will be more attentive and excited about learning when you use a variety of teaching methods and activities to teach gospel principles (see “Teaching with Variety,” pages 89–90).

Lesson 3: Teaching Children In Mixed Age-Groups pg. 117

These activities should be enjoyable and at the same time teach gospel principles. Elder M. Russell Ballard said: “Creative, innovative sharing times and [other] activities can be stimulating and fun, but they don’t mean much if the children … come away having been entertained but not really enlightened, taught the gospel, or lifted spiritually. … Every lesson, every meeting, and every activity should be focused on bringing these little ones to Christ” (“Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children,” Ensign, Apr.