Micro-Training # 01

Illustrate

A primary purpose of gospel principles, commandments, and the holy scriptures is to help all people come unto Christ (see Jarom 1:11). The Holy Ghost can help you learn to recognize truths about the Savior and His redeeming power in each principle, commandment, and prophetic teaching (see Jacob 7:10–11).

Teaching gospel principles provides a powerful opportunity to ask what we learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. For example, when learning about principles of prayer, you can take time to ponder together Heavenly Father’s generosity and His desires to pour out blessings on His children (see Malachi 3:10).

When teaching a commandment, consider the impact of going beyond learning about the law to also learning about the Good Shepherd. What do His commandments teach us about Him? Commandments help us understand the Lord’s desires to bless and guide us, as well as the depth and completeness of His love for us individually. His love motivates us to keep His commandments.

Gospel principles point us to Jesus Christ. Living them helps us access the Savior’s power, mercy, and influence. When learning about gospel principles, focus on how they help us become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Teachers may unintentionally spend so much time describing details connected to the truths being taught that they miss opportunities to help learners come to know and love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ more fully.

Another way to place Jesus Christ at the center of teaching and learning is to emphasize how He is the perfect example of all gospel principles. As teachers and students focus on the Savior’s perfect example, the Holy Ghost will testify of Him and inspire them to be more like Him.

At times, Jesus Christ’s example is referred to directly in the scriptures. We can help our students draw closer to Jesus Christ as we invite them to consider what they are learning from and about Him, especially His character and attributes. Even when the Savior’s example is not directly referred to in a scripture passage, we can help our learners make connections between what we are learning in the scriptural account and the Savior’s example.

Learning from Jesus Christ’s example will increase our ability to act with faith in Him. It will inspire a desire within us to experience His power in our own lives. As we learn to follow the example of Jesus Christ and connect our efforts to live the gospel to our love for Him, we will find joy in being His disciples.

As students learn of Jesus Christ, follow His teachings and example, and seek the blessings of His Atonement in their lives, they can gain strength and experience forgiveness, healing, and conversion.

Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following:

Invitation to act

Meditate on what you have just read and think about how you could put a little more emphasis on the example of Jesus Christ during your teaching, how you could help your students know our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ better. Try to apply what you have learned in your next lessons and share your experience with other teachers.

To practice your skills on this subject, you can do the following exercises:

• Skill: Help students connect what they are learning with how Christ exemplifies the principle.

• Skill: Use pictures and videos of Jesus Christ to illustrate a gospel principle.