A wonderful article about effectively teaching the gospel. Bradley Kramer practices what he preaches, walks the walk and talks the talk! He remains an exceptional teacher and eternal student! Loved his book "BEHOLDING THE TREE OF LIFE: A Rabbinic Approach to The Book of Mormon," by Bradley J. Kramer, Greg Kofford Books, $21.95, 225 pages (nf). Highly recommend it as well. Thank you Meridian for supporting such a knowledgeable fellow!
GailOctober 21, 2015
I would love to be in your class! Very well-written and very important suggestions and insights into how to effectively teach and learn.
ColinOctober 21, 2015
I was just called five six weeks ago to teach the Gospel Doctrine class in our ward. I find it intimidating because, though I was raised in the Church and served a mission, I feel inadequate to think I have extensive knowledge to share when there are so many well versed members in the class. I also am following a long time professional teacher who was wonderful. I spend much time trying to study and gain understanding of the topic at hand, then feel I've failed because I need two hours to convey all I learned while asking relevant questions to promote thought among the class. I've been told, and understand, not to lecture and I'm relatively successful at that. I also don't want to start discussion groups. This, however, puts a new perspective on everything. Thank you for much to think about ... and hopefully apply.
Brian IOctober 21, 2015
This is a timely reminder for me. I, too, am leading a gospel doctrine class, and I fall too often into the trap of lecturing my "students."
We've been pouring over NT texts this year, and I find that any real discussion of the text limits the material covered to one or two key passages in the fifty minutes allotted. I like how you say it, Brad: it's not about getting through a reading, it's about getting into the text, hearing the voice of the Lord through our fellow travelers.
Great note. Lots to think about.
LynneOctober 21, 2015
Thank you for your wonderful insights and suggestions for teaching in general and Gospel Doctrine class specifically. Your juxtaposition of D&C 88 and rabbinical teaching was interesting and enlightening.
DarylOctober 21, 2015
How wonderful this would be! Some of the best teacher training in the world is available through our church. Yet so many of our Sunday School teachers have "missed the memo." Lectures interspersed with the occasional "Any comments or questions?" are still too common. It's a testament to our yearning that so many of us still show up every Sunday.
Val SmethurstOctober 21, 2015
I wonder if, instead of using class time to have people move around the room and then get settled again, the teacher could set up the room into numbered group areas and give all the class members a number as they enter and have them sit in that numbered area. Wouldn't that save valuable class time for discussion?
Once I sit down in a class, I hate getting up to move to a group area and then getting settled again.
TiffanyOctober 21, 2015
We use this teaching method in Primary Sharing time a lot. And I have found that the teaching styles I learn in primary tend to carry over well when I do, occasionally, have a calling teaching adults.
SharonOctober 21, 2015
Thank you so much for this article. I loved every bit of it. And I can see how it gently prompts us to share across our FB pages and blogs as well. Well done!
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DebOctober 21, 2015
A wonderful article about effectively teaching the gospel. Bradley Kramer practices what he preaches, walks the walk and talks the talk! He remains an exceptional teacher and eternal student! Loved his book "BEHOLDING THE TREE OF LIFE: A Rabbinic Approach to The Book of Mormon," by Bradley J. Kramer, Greg Kofford Books, $21.95, 225 pages (nf). Highly recommend it as well. Thank you Meridian for supporting such a knowledgeable fellow!
GailOctober 21, 2015
I would love to be in your class! Very well-written and very important suggestions and insights into how to effectively teach and learn.
ColinOctober 21, 2015
I was just called five six weeks ago to teach the Gospel Doctrine class in our ward. I find it intimidating because, though I was raised in the Church and served a mission, I feel inadequate to think I have extensive knowledge to share when there are so many well versed members in the class. I also am following a long time professional teacher who was wonderful. I spend much time trying to study and gain understanding of the topic at hand, then feel I've failed because I need two hours to convey all I learned while asking relevant questions to promote thought among the class. I've been told, and understand, not to lecture and I'm relatively successful at that. I also don't want to start discussion groups. This, however, puts a new perspective on everything. Thank you for much to think about ... and hopefully apply.
Brian IOctober 21, 2015
This is a timely reminder for me. I, too, am leading a gospel doctrine class, and I fall too often into the trap of lecturing my "students." We've been pouring over NT texts this year, and I find that any real discussion of the text limits the material covered to one or two key passages in the fifty minutes allotted. I like how you say it, Brad: it's not about getting through a reading, it's about getting into the text, hearing the voice of the Lord through our fellow travelers. Great note. Lots to think about.
LynneOctober 21, 2015
Thank you for your wonderful insights and suggestions for teaching in general and Gospel Doctrine class specifically. Your juxtaposition of D&C 88 and rabbinical teaching was interesting and enlightening.
DarylOctober 21, 2015
How wonderful this would be! Some of the best teacher training in the world is available through our church. Yet so many of our Sunday School teachers have "missed the memo." Lectures interspersed with the occasional "Any comments or questions?" are still too common. It's a testament to our yearning that so many of us still show up every Sunday.
Val SmethurstOctober 21, 2015
I wonder if, instead of using class time to have people move around the room and then get settled again, the teacher could set up the room into numbered group areas and give all the class members a number as they enter and have them sit in that numbered area. Wouldn't that save valuable class time for discussion? Once I sit down in a class, I hate getting up to move to a group area and then getting settled again.
TiffanyOctober 21, 2015
We use this teaching method in Primary Sharing time a lot. And I have found that the teaching styles I learn in primary tend to carry over well when I do, occasionally, have a calling teaching adults.
SharonOctober 21, 2015
Thank you so much for this article. I loved every bit of it. And I can see how it gently prompts us to share across our FB pages and blogs as well. Well done!
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