How do we help students learn doctrine for themselves?

How do we help our students learn for themselves?
Transcript:
The Savior said, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me” (John 7:16). The Father’s doctrine consists of eternal truths that, when consistently applied, lead to exaltation . . . . The Savior has commanded us to “teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom” (D&C 88:77). As we do, the Holy Ghost bears witness of the truthfulness of the doctrine and inspires people to live it. Doctrine does not change—rather, it changes us, and it changes those we teach.

In order to understand how to teach doctrine we must first understand how it is learned.

"As we increase in learning about the Savior and His gospel, as we strive with ever greater consistency to act in His doctrine, ordinances, and covenants, then we are blessed with power through His Atonement to increasingly become like Him." Elder David A. Bednar, Power to Become

The gospel is not learned by attending class, it is learned by keeping covenants. It is not learned by participating in assessments but by partaking of the ordinances. Then why seminary?

Elder Clark,
“Deep learning ‘is an increase in the power... to Know, to Do, and to Become.’ It definitely means increased knowledge, but it also means increased understanding of the heart. It means increased skill and capacity to act. It means increased strength of character, including integrity, courage, and kindness.” Elder Kim B. Clark, Training Broadcast, August 2015, Encircled About by Fire

before we can act we must know how to act. To know how to act requires a knowledge of the Savior, His life, and His teachings.

Learning can be defined in many ways. For the purpose our training we will define learning as a positive change in knowledge, behavior, and becoming.

I know a lot, but I have yet to learn the things I know because I lack the positive change in behavior. I have yet to become what I know.

To help our students deepen their conversion to Jesus Christ our lessons and preparation must be learner focused. It’s important to also note as we talk about being “learner focused,” we are not saying “student-centered.” Our teaching needs to be Christ-centered and learner focused.

Being learner focused is allowing the learner’s current understanding to be the starting point of guiding him/her through the learning process.
Being learner focused is recognizing the learner’s ability to actively learn and contribute to the learning of others.
A simple and direct way to be learn focused is to ask open ended questions.

Open-ended search questions invite students to discover and understand truths in the scriptures for themselves rather than leading them to a predetermined or specific response. This approach can make a student’s study of the scriptures more relevant and can allow the Lord to teach and inspire them personally. These questions (1) include an invitation for students to consider what stands out to them personally, (2) eliminate the need for students to look for something specific that the teacher has in mind, and (3) can allow students to ponder how truths identified and understood can be applied in their personal lives. These questions could be used when inviting students to search verses to identify truths and in seeking to further understand truths they’ve identified. Open-ended questions often use words like truths, principles, messages, insights, etc. Asking why is also allows students freedom to respond.

Every child of God is diverse in their understanding and experience. Open ended questions challenge the experienced sage and the seedling Saint all the same. Such questions allows the Spirit to teach each child within their understanding. As students share what they are learning the class is able to glean the fruits of the Spirit and “all are edified of all.”

Over the easter weekend I read 3 Nephi 27:13-15 with my Children. I asked the following questions:
While on the cross Christ asked, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Using these verses how would you answer Jesus' question?

Man lifted up Christ upon the cross. How you do imagine God lifting up each of us?

In the lesson this week on Priesthood keys there is an open ended question.

Like the Savior, you can help those you teach recognize and understand truth. The scriptures, for example, are filled with gospel truths, but sometimes it takes conscious effort to find them. As you are learning together from the scriptures, stop and ask those you teach what gospel truths they notice. Help them see how these truths relate to Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.

As you prepare your lessons this week, create two to three open-ended search questions that help learners discover gospel doctrine and principles for themselves and that do not lead students to a specific response. Write them down and try asking each one with a family member, a friend, or by yourself. Identify one to ask in the classroom, and use it in your lesson.

Видео How do we help students learn doctrine for themselves? канала Matthew Mackay