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Contributor: Kay Brown

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What happens in our ward is this. The first teacher (she was a sub) mostly spoke of her testimony concerning something else, not the doctrines in the book. She did introduce the life of JFS for which I was grateful but then went into her own personal stuff the rest of the time. This would not have been a bad thing but that it took the entire time with no references to the lesson material beyond the lesson title.

The second teacher took 1/2 the time explaining the format of the books, how she looks at things, etc. Again this was great for those who need to walk through the format of the book but again took 1/2 the time. Finally she read a quote from the book at the end. During both sessions, we the presidency had passed out the books and encouraged the sisters to be prepared, and to be able to participate in the lesson. We were never given the chance to participate or go into the book.

The usual teacher for the 2nd Sunday was almost never quoting BY last year and using all her own material with no relation to the wonderful doctrines in the manuals. We did finally make it clear that she is to use the book. We weren't saying you can never ENHANCE the text with music, personal stories or examples, other general authorities quotes, pictures, etc. Her mannerisms are also sharp and she only comes to teach the lesson most of the time so does not KNOW the sisters she teaches and has made some embarrassing remarks.

The spirit is lacking on both Sundays and we miss it dearly. We decided a year ago to keep working with this sister because she is growing in the gospel. She does discuss the lesson with her husband and this is good.  It is the rest of the sisters we worry about. Both teachers present their lessons in  mostly lecture format with some questions sprinkled in. Our goal this year is to help them to see that a variety is needed, a softening of mannerisms, and to somehow encourage discussions but unsure because both teachers are set in their ways.

Approach one-

1. There is an objective listed-print it out or write on chalkboard as a focus of lesson

2. There are several subheadings-use these to introduce each section of your lesson

3. Pick one or two quotes that support the subheadings-have someone read them or post on board

4. Choose a question or make up your own-discuss, allow the sisters to talk about the principle and help them apply it to their own lives.

5. Sum up what JFS testimony is, what the sisters conclude, and with your own testimony. Give a challenge such as "I would like to challenge you to know that Christ lives through the Holy Ghost by praying about it and asking for an answer. I testify he will." depending on what the spirit has inspired you to challenge the sisters with.
 

Approach two-

1. Objective on board as well subheadings

2. Have someone play an instrument or sing a song that's appropriate to the subject or even from the life of JFS or have a picture. (can use with any approach)

3. Ask a couple of sisters before hand to be ready to share the testimony of the subject or their experiences with the subject.

4. Discuss some of the quotes

5. Sum up what JFS testimony is, what the sisters conclude , and with your own testimony. Give a challenge such as "I would like to challenge you to know that Christ lives through the Holy Ghost by praying about it and asking for an answer. I testify he will." depending on what the spirit has inspired you to challenge the sisters with.
 

Approach three-

1. Objective on board as well subheadings

2. Divide up the room into the number of subheadings-give one subheading group to each group. Have them discuss one of the questions.

3. Report to entire group

4. Sum up what JFS testimony is, what the sisters conclude , and with your own testimony. Give a challenge such as "I would like to challenge you to know that Christ lives through the Holy Ghost by praying about it and asking for an answer. I testify he will." depending on what the spirit has inspired you to challenge the sisters with.
 

Approach four-

1. Objective on board as well subheadings

2. Invite quest speaker making sure they use JFS book as source

3. Sum up what JFS testimony is, what the sisters conclude , and with your own testimony. Give a challenge such as "I would like to challenge you to know that Christ lives through the Holy Ghost by praying about it and asking for an answer. I testify he will." depending on what the spirit has inspired you to challenge the sisters with.
 

Approach five-

1. Objective on board as well subheadings

2. Panel discussions using the JFS book-have sisters ask the panel questions such as what did JFS think of.... or some other appropriate question

3. Sum up what JFS testimony is, what the sisters conclude , and with your own testimony. Give a challenge such as "I would like to challenge you to know that Christ lives through the Holy Ghost by praying about it and asking for an answer. I testify he will." depending on what the spirit has inspired you to challenge the sisters with.
 

Approach Six-

1. Objective on board as well subheadings

2. Pick out specific quotes, have sisters read them one by one, right after each other.

3. Discuss-you could break it up into the subheadings, have the sisters read, then discuss. Do the next subheading, have sisters read, discuss, etc.

4. Sum up what JFS testimony is, what the sisters conclude , and with your own testimony. Give a challenge such as "I would like to challenge you to know that Christ lives through the Holy Ghost by praying about it and asking for an answer. I testify he will." depending on what the spirit has inspired you to challenge the sisters with.
 

Approach seven-

1. Objective on board as well subheadings

2. Introduce the lesson and have a silent reading time with you specifying which quotes to read. A good way to help the sister locate is to say, "page 6, 4th paragraph from top"

3. Have one or two questions to discuss

4. Write answers or thoughts on board

5, Sum up what JFS testimony is, what the sisters conclude , and with your own testimony. Give a challenge such as "I would like to challenge you to know that Christ lives through the Holy Ghost by praying about it and asking for an answer. I testify he will." depending on what the spirit has inspired you to challenge the sisters with.
 

Approach eight-

Same as above but with two sisters talking to each other and discussing questions given them or they could choose one from the list at the end of the lesson.
 

Approach nine-

Any format-use an object lesson that is only 1-2 minutes that illustrates the main point of the lesson.
 

Thanks for letting me write all this down. I think we may use this as an idea sheet for the teachers to spring forth from if they so choose. Another thing I was thinking of was helping the discussion get going by bringing up a point in the book somehow so we can discuss it. Not sure how to do this but I love this book. I have a testimony that if we can read and study these doctrines, we will grow. I wonder if a stumbling block is that "we have heard it all before." I will have to see. Thanks. Please let me know if you have ideas to share.