"First, we want the students to have confidence in the strength and truths of the scriptures, confidence that their Heavenly Father is really speaking to them through the scriptures, and confidence that they can turn to the scriptures and find answers to their problems and their prayers....
"We would hope none of your students would leave your classroom fearful or embarrassed or ashamed that they cannot find the help they need because they do not know the scriptures well enough to locate the proper passages" ("Eternal Investments," 2, cited in our Manual, p. 34).
The Gospel Teaching and Learning Manual states: "As individuals treasure up eternal truths in their minds and
hearts, the Holy Ghost will bring these truths to their remembrance in times of need and give them courage to act in faith" (p. 34).
Two questions to consider prior to our inservice, please consider your answers to both and come ready to discuss them:
1. In what ways have you experienced the blessings of having "confidence in the scriptures?"
2. What are you doing to help your students develop "confidence in the scriptures?"
Part 2. The second item I would like to spend time on in inservice is the principle of improvement. From the Gospel Teaching and Learning Manual we read, "When we begin to analyze ourselves and look to improve ourselves as teachers, what better model could we find? What finer study could we undertake than to analyze our ideas and goals and methods and compare them with those of Jesus Christ?" (Boyd K. Packer, Teach Ye Diligently, rev. ed. [1991], 22).
As you consider your teaching, cast you mind back across the previous semester, what did you do well? What do you feel you could have done better? I am happy if you can answer both questions with sincerity and honesty. This semester I would like to invite you to consider one or two items you will seek to improve. As you consider your items, please also consider the our emphases for this year:
The Gospel Teaching and Learning Manual states: "As individuals treasure up eternal truths in their minds and
Two questions to consider prior to our inservice, please consider your answers to both and come ready to discuss them:
1. In what ways have you experienced the blessings of having "confidence in the scriptures?"
2. What are you doing to help your students develop "confidence in the scriptures?"
As you consider your teaching, cast you mind back across the previous semester, what did you do well? What do you feel you could have done better? I am happy if you can answer both questions with sincerity and honesty. This semester I would like to invite you to consider one or two items you will seek to improve. As you consider your items, please also consider the our emphases for this year:
- Unity.
- Learn by the Spirit.
- Study the scriptures.
- Reach one more.
In addition to these, you may consider Brother Chad Webb's request from the August 2013 inservice to all
Church Educators: "My message today is for each of you, no matter what your current assignment may be. I would like to extend an invitation that, with the coming of a new school year, we each study again the Book of Mormon and prayerfully consider how we might encourage each youth and young adult within our circle of influence to have a meaningful personal experience studying the Book of Mormon."
Is there a little more you can do with any of these? Prayerfully consider what you will be seeking to improve this semester please. When I come to observe your class I would like to be looking for your efforts to improve or evidence of improvement in some way.
It would be ideal for us all to experience real growth this term as we seek to improve and become and teach a little more like the Savior. This is His work and He will bless and enhance our feeblest of efforts as we seek His help and prayerfully seek Him out. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday evening at 6:00!
