With only a one-page outline for Gospel Doctrine classes, how can the teacher prepare enough material for each Sunday?

Tom G. Rose, manager of Church Curriculum Planning and Development. Shortly after the Church was organized, the Lord gave the Saints a commandment to “teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.” (D&C 88:77.) He also explained how we are to teach one another. He told the Saints to “appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time, and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege.” (D&C 88:122.)

As an international church, we need to more closely follow the teaching model provided in the eighty-eighth section of the Doctrine and Covenants. In order to ensure that “every man may have an equal privilege,” for example, the teacher should not plan to take most of the class time with a pre-planned lesson. Class members should be encouraged to participate; many will likely have had experiences related to the scriptures being discussed: the teacher can prepare not to do most of the talking by prayerfully studying the assigned scripture references, writing down discussion questions, and noting key references that might be discussed. In striving to meet the needs of the class members, the teacher may also want to forgo usual approaches like spending all of the time reviewing historical events in the scriptures or supplying interesting background information. More of our class time should focus on modern-day applications of scriptural teachings and principles and on helping members of the class feel the impact of direction from the Spirit.

Class members, too, must alter their expectations and participation level if the renewed emphasis on teaching and learning by the Spirit is to succeed. Instead of expecting the teacher, often acknowledged to be one of the more knowledgeable members of the ward, to inform and inspire them, class members need to study the assigned scripture references and come to class prepared to share feelings, insights, experiences, and testimonies, so that “all may be edified of all.”

Finally, the teacher and class members should feel an equal responsibility to invite the Spirit into the discussion. Both should pray for the Spirit to be present during the discussion.

The emphasis of the Sunday School Gospel Doctrine outline is on following the Spirit, not on preparing a forty-minute lesson. As we “seek … diligently and teach one another words of wisdom,” we can anticipate an increase in the outpouring of the Spirit in our classes. (D&C 88:118.)