What I want from Gospel Doctrine Class

[Stargazer]

So - What is it that you want from Gospel Doctrine Class (or would want if you were not serving in the primary)?

Do you want:

*To be entertained, i.e. make it interesting enough to give me a reason to come - games, pictures, stories, chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies

*More understanding of the scriptural passages, i.e. the olive tree represents . . .

*Personal Application, i.e. Enos gives a perfect example of building a relationship with Heavenly Father . . .

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

[Stargazer]

Maybe you'd want something additional or entirely different. What would it be?

[bookworm]

I take it you're teaching GD now? Good for you! My Dad's taught GD for ages and is awesome.

If I could tailor the class the way I want, we would use the scriptures A LOT and really delve into the meanings- really use the lesson materials. I get very tired of teachers who share personal stories (we hear many, many, many personal stories) instead of using the lesson materials. I grow frustrated at the lack of manual and scripture use in my classes. I am weary of hearing the teacher's personal history (and if I have to hear, "now this is just the gospel according to Fred" one more time... I don't WANT Fred's version of the gospel!!!)

Yes, that's a dramatic response, but it's really how I feel.

I don't want to be entertained, but I also don't want to fall asleep from boredom. If the lesson is truly taught by the Spirit, I won't be bored. I love when our GD teacher uses the Institute BOM manual along with the lesson manual, because sometimes there are fascinating things in there that really bring the scriptures to life. I love when a discussion is encouraged, rather than a lecture by the teacher. It isn't a show for the teacher to put on, it's supposed to be a discussion by a group of faithful church-goers, right? Break down the material and let's feast!

I think teachers need to be very careful to NOT get caught up in the lesson being some kind of "performance" but really, truly listen to the guidance of the Spirit as they prepare.

My dad says he will often start with a short (key word- SHORT) anecdote or chuckle to get everyone's attention, but then it's over and they dive into the lesson. Some wards are more vocal than others, too- we have a handful of people who will respond in GD, but most don't.

As far as treats go, I personally don't think it's necessary in GD- now no one get your shorts in a wad or bite my head off, it's just my personal opinion that in Sunday School it isn't needed. Although, I do enjoy the occasional treat in RS... as long as it isn't too distracting. I liked your Hershey Kiss lessons, SG.

Good luck, I would LOVE a teaching calling. I would trade it TODAY for my current pair of callings. I guess that's why I have them. I suppose I need some testing and some growing...

[Dia Minha]

I would have to agree with Bookworm. We had a teacher in our first ward that would stand up and perform or lecture the entire time. If you raised your hand with a comment she would actually get irratated. Class participation is a must.

I don't think that the gospel needs to be entertaining. Sometimes I find myself trying so hard to entertain my 3 and 4 year olds that I forget what it is that I'm supposed to be doing. I have found that by sticking to the lesson and using church approved materials my lessons are more successful and the children are interested enough to learn and remember.

I haven't attended a GD class in about 6 years, but if I remember right or because of other times I have been in an adult class outside of Sunday our ward is very vocal. It seems to me SG that you would just have to start the conversation and redirect when needed and the class would teach the lesson. Of course this is coming from a person that can not teach adults. They terrify me.

I think direction toward how to personally apply the scriptures into my life would be wonderful. I love the video series "Liken the Scriptures". They are geared toward children, but they take a scripture story and intertwine it with an in the present story. I think this is something that just happens, however, when the class members are given an opportunity to share their experiences of the gospel principle being taught.

[Erudite]

I want "more understanding of the scriptural passages" and "Personal Application" AND I want to be challenged to think outside what I already know about the scriptures so that I can find my own applications. So often the teacher's preparation is more of a conduit to understanding something in a new way so that it can be applied on a personal level. Many times this isn't even something the class needs to understand because it is individual. You know how you get something out of General Conference and you're so impressed by a particular speaker's talk and then you go back and read it and wonder how you got that out of it, because it doesn't even mention it? ....hmmm I guess that's not on the head of the GD teacher though because that's a personal being "in tune" thing. For the GD teacher to accomplish that, she/he needs to have prepared by the Spirit and then ask questions that help people to really think (and don't forget to give them time to think). SG, I know you do that!

In our ward, we have an AWESOME GD teacher right now who does all those things, but we've been stuck in the marriage and family class for the last 4 months. We can't wait to go back to GD because of this awesome, awesome teacher.

One more thought for you SG...why are you asking these questions? We don't have the answers for your situation...except those who sit in the room maybe. The Spirit knows what the class needs and will help you prepare the lesson that is needed. That may one day include chocolate fountains for you all you know, because entertainment is needed in order to get the point of the lesson across. It's all in what is supposed to be taught and who is in the room to learn...the Spirit knows what should be taught and how to teach it. You, my friend, have long been prepared to meet that challenge, first by being an excellent teacher already, and second, by the loving spirit you are, who knows so many of the needs in the room and is open to finding answers for them...even if that means baton twirling...

[5ft Diva]

E read my thoughts. I particularly like application then and there. I find we are asked reflective questions all the time, but imagine if we were given a piece of paper and each walked through the "repentance" process as it is explained in the scriptures on our own every once in a while. No one would need to see it but us. This may be a bit confusing, if it doesn't make sense, ask me on Thursday night and I'll give you an example of what I'm talking about to bring more understanding to my thoughts.

I personally like a personal touch added to the lessons, especially when other members of the class are invited to share their personal stories. I think it's a good way to teach application of the scriptures. I do think that if there were too much of this it would detract from the principles of the lesson. However, lessons are not therapy for the teacher, they are opportunities for everyone, including the teacher, to learn.

[Stargazer]

I'm asking the question simply because I'm curious.
I was in a place in my early marriage where I didn't feel welcome in my wards and so I didn't necessarily enjoy going to church, especially when it was boring. I was at a point where I wanted to be entertained - give me a reason to put my rear-end in the seat, then invite the spirit so strongly that it bashes me over the head and I feel it. Maybe engaging is a better word than entertaining.

Of course any of you who have seen me teach know that I tend to include "entertainment" in my lessons to try to draw people's attention in. I figure that if I needed it, that there are likely people in our class today that need it too. I figure there is a wide spectrum of needs sitting in each class. I think some have a limited understanding of the scriptures and enjoy understanding what they mean. I personally am in a place where I want to know why things were included. What was so important that they were included and what does that mean to me? Application. I really do prepare with prayer and try to follow the spirit.

But really I just wanted other's insight. I can draw inspiration for different teaching methods (which I really like to vary) from other's thoughts and ideas. I was curious.

[Dia Minha]

Stargazer, I think engaging is a much better word. When I think of entertaining, I think of a teacher that spends more time, coloring and cutting and pasting and trying to be creative, than actually study the material for the lesson. The lessons that are simply prepared using church approved materials always have such a gentle spirit to them. Sometimes the teacher puts so much time and effort into doing things that he/she doesn't always put in the neccessary time into studying the lesson and it shows.

[Mamallama]

What you mentioned SG about application I think is the key. I think most people are looking for ‘how does this apply to me, and how can I apply this in my life.’

In Gospel Doctrine and RS classes, I love when a topic or scripture passage is introduced and a good class discussion follows. I love hearing different points of view of how to live gospel principles and people’s personal experiences of living, struggling, and learning those principles.

In Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society I want to feel safe to share my own experience or point of view without the fear that I am going to be told that my answer is “wrong”.
I like when teachers simply respond to remarks----(even if the remarks are off-base)----with comments like “interesting point of view” or “thanks for sharing that experience or thought”-----instead of “ No that’s not right, you’ve got it all wrong……this is how it really is…..”

It makes me feel safe to share my thoughts and feelings when I know the instructor isn’t going to negate my thoughts……
Don’t put ME on the debate team!

SG, you’re doing a great job….I hear nothing but good about GD classes these days. Wish I could be in Primary AND Gospel Doctrine!
......and Dia I think 'engaging' is a great word describing SG's wonderful form of teaching.