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Teach by the Spirit
Introduction
Illustrate
Gospel teaching and learning takes place through the power of the Holy Ghost. Teaching and learning by the Spirit occurs when the Holy Ghost is performing His role or functions with the teacher, with the student, or with both. Only through teaching and learning by the Spirit will students come to understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ in such a way that they may qualify for eternal life.
Only through the Holy Ghost can we accomplish the ultimate goal of gospel teaching—to build faith in Jesus Christ and help others become more like Him. The Holy Ghost bears witness of the truth, He testifies of Christ, and He changes hearts. No mortal teacher, no matter how skilled or experienced, can replace the Spirit. But we can be instruments in God’s hands to help His children learn by the Spirit. To do this, we invite the influence of the Spirit into our lives and encourage those we teach to do the same.
President Henry B. Eyring stressed the crucial role the Holy Ghost has in spiritual learning when he taught:
“Our students cannot know of God, and so love as they must love, unless they are taught by the Holy Spirit. Only by the Spirit can they know that God loved us enough to send His Son to be the propitiation for our sins and that Jesus is the Son of God and that Christ paid the price of their sins. Only by the Spirit can they know that Heavenly Father and His resurrected and glorified Son appeared to Joseph Smith. Only by the Spirit can they know that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God. And only by inspiration can they feel the love of the Father and the Son for them in giving us the ordinances necessary to receive eternal life. Only by obtaining those witnesses, placed deep into their hearts by the Holy Ghost, will they be rooted on a sure foundation to stand steady through the temptations and trials of their lives.”
(“To Know and to Love God” [an evening with President Henry B. Eyring, Feb. 26, 2010], 2)
Studying the scriptures is a wonderful vehicle - always taught by the prophets - for feeling the presence and influence of the Holy Ghost. Alma himself, in the well-known comparison he used between the word and the seed, gives some very inspiring indications:
"Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me."
(Alma 32:28)
In this video, teachers share their practices for bringing about the presence of the Spirit in their hearts and in the classroom.
Here are some ideas that can help promote teaching by the Spirit:
No precipitation. No need to run. The content is less important than the person. Elder Holland taught, "If you want the Spirit of the Lord to be present in your classroom, it is absolutely essential that there be no rush."
Enjoy what you teach. It is better to teach little content and that the experience remains pleasant, that it makes your students want to come back. Remember "he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together."
Teach with enthusiasm. Express your joy and love for the gospel.
Pray for help, to have the Spirit.
Seek peace instead of being upset and tense about other things.
Demonstrate a humble spirit of research.
Invitation to act
Try to analyze your current way of teaching by the Spirit as well as the way you invite your students to learn by the Spirit. From the suggestions above, decide which one(s) you would like to implement in your next lessons.
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