Sunday, June 22, 2008
In over my head
On Monday night I got a phone call from a member of the Relief Society of my ward. She asked me to substitute for the teacher on Sunday. My lesson was based on three talks: Concern for the One by Elder Wirthlin, Opening Our Hearts by Bro. Lund, and And Who Is My Neighbor? by Bishop Burton. I, of course, didn't get through all of the talks. I especially liked Brother Lund's talk and his analogy of the fences. Right before I taught, a counselor of the bishopric pulled me aside and asked me to teach on a permanent basis. To say I feel overwhelmed and inadequate is an understatment. I can't say I'm particularly spiritual and I have been known to say more than one inappropriate thing in church. I can only hope that my unique persepective on life can assist in my teaching instead in hindering it. I have never had a teaching position so I would welcome any suggestions.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I teach RS too, and I've found it's helpful to think of myself as a discussion leader rather than a teacher, per se. Just think of a bunch of questions you can ask--at least a couple of them will catch on. The time will fly by!
Congrats! I remember when I was called to teach in relief society. I was 22 and felt like I had no business giving lessons to the women in my ward, most of them older than me. But, I know you'll do great! One suggestion of what NOT to do...read from the manual. Try to be familiar enough with each lesson that you can paraphrase each point. I personally respond to teachers a lot more if they aren't reading directly out of the book. Also, try to stick to the manual (or conference talks as the case may be). While other resources are good and can be spiritually uplifting, we've been counseled to stick to the material we're given.
Sorry for the long comment...I'm just so excited for you!
I loved that calling! My two cents is not to over present. Prepare yes, but when it comes time to teach, let the Spirit lead the way.
I would read through the lesson several times and put post-it notes with questions right in the manual. My dad bought me one of the over-sized ones from the Distribution Center, which was great because my post-its didn't cover the entire page and I could easily read quotes that I'd marked.
Lots of questions will usually encourage lots of discussion.
I'm sure you'll do great. I have no advice. I taught one-on-one in people's own homes for two years, in addition to being surprised as being guest speaker in sacrament meetings over and over, and my nerves were just as bad on the last day as the first.
You will do great. This was my favorite calling(although I do enjoy what I am doing now). Read the lesson, follow the counsel to use only the sources given to you, as there is plenty of material there. Ask for the support of the RS prew. in reading the lessons to help with discussion and bring the lesson back on track if someone sidetracks you. Most of all, let the Spirit guide you as you study and teach. If you are having a great discussion, don't cut it off to cover all the material. The sisters can all read.....
KC is right. Ask lots of questions and try not to talk too much. But most of all, bring CHOCOLATE. No joke. I survived 3 years of RS teaching that way.
Post a Comment