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Lesson 66—Doctrine and Covenants 50, Part 2: Teach and Learn by the Spirit

“Lesson 66—Doctrine and Covenants 50, Part 2: Teach and Learn by the Spirit,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“Doctrine and Covenants 50, Part 2,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Lesson 66: Doctrine and Covenants 49–50

Doctrine and Covenants 50, Part 2

Teach and Learn by the Spirit

classroom learning

In Doctrine and Covenants 50, the Savior taught that the Saints must teach and learn the gospel by the Spirit of Truth. As the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ was the perfect example of teaching by the Spirit. All members of the Savior’s Church will have opportunities to teach and learn by the Spirit throughout their lives. This lesson can give students the opportunity to practice teaching and learning by the Spirit of Truth.

Possible Learning Activities

Jesus is the perfect gospel teacher

To begin class, consider helping students think about the kind of teacher the Savior was. One way you could do this is by writing the title Attributes for Successful Teaching and Learning on the board. Underneath the title, create three columns with the first labeled Jesus Christ.

Invite the students to discuss what qualities made Jesus Christ the perfect gospel teacher, and list them on the board. The video “Teaching in the Savior’s Way with Elder Uchtdorf” (53:34) from time code 19:01 to 20:06 can help students think about the importance of teaching like the Savior.

53:34

Invite students to apply the qualities of Christlike gospel teaching and learning as they practice teaching and learning today.

Read the following statement by the First Presidency, looking for what gospel teaching opportunities you will have now and in the future.

What a glorious opportunity you have to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ! Whether or not you have a specific calling to teach, you are a teacher. As a disciple of the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ, you have opportunities to share His light wherever you go—in the home, at church, as you minister to others, and among your friends. To teach the gospel is a sacred trust. It is an essential part of the Lord’s work, and it works best when we do it in His way. (Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2022], 1)

  • Why might teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ be seen as a “sacred trust”?

  • How do you feel about teaching the gospel?

We teach and learn by the Spirit

Jesus teaching the Saints

If you created three columns on the board, label the next two Teachers and Learners. Invite students to add attributes of teachers or learners they discover in the following verses.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 50:13–14, 17–22, looking for how the Savior desires His gospel to be taught.

  • What do you think it means to teach and learn by the Spirit?

  • What are some of the blessings we receive when we teach and learn by the Spirit?

Help students identify a principle such as when we teach and learn by the Spirit, we understand one another and are edified and rejoice together. You might remind students that to be edified means to be lifted or built up.

To help students understand what it means to teach and learn by the Spirit, you might provide a few scripture references such as Alma 31:5; Doctrine and Covenants 42:14; 88:118, 122; and 130:18–19. Invite students to work with partners or in small groups to identify how we teach and learn by the Spirit. Add these ideas to the “Teachers” and “Learners” columns on the board.

To help students feel the importance of this principle, you could show the video “Come, Follow Me: Rejoice Together” (1:20) on ChurchofJesusChrist.org or discuss as a class the following questions. Students may appreciate hearing you share how you have been blessed by listening to and learning from them in seminary.

1:20

  • When have you experienced these blessings as a gospel teacher or learner?

  • What can we do in our seminary class to make sure everyone can receive these blessings?

We can teach in the Savior’s way

Invite students to prepare a brief gospel lesson to teach. Students could prepare individually or with a partner. Invite students to prayerfully consider the needs of their classmates and to identify a message or topic that could address those needs.

Some of the lesson options may include:

handout iconThe handout below could help students prepare their lesson. As they prepare to teach, you could remind students of the characteristics of gospel teachers and learners they listed on the board. You could invite them to seek to be good gospel learners as classmates share their lessons. Once they have had adequate preparation time, invite students to teach their message to a partner or in a small group. As appropriate, you could invite a few willing students to teach their message to the class.

Teaching the Savior’s Way

Create a short gospel lesson to help others learn about Jesus Christ. Seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost as you prepare and teach your lesson. The following lesson outline can help you prepare to teach.

  • Lesson topic and/or scripture references:

  • The key truth or principle I will teach:

  • How I will focus this lesson on Jesus Christ:

  • Question(s) I will ask:

  • How I have felt the power of this truth in my life (testimony):

  • What I will invite the learners to do:

We learn gospel truths by the Spirit

After the activity, invite students to evaluate the teaching and learning experience. You might refer to the lists on the board and discuss how students tried to apply these attributes. They could answer the following questions in their study journals.

  • What did you observe about teaching in the Savior’s way during this activity? What did you notice about learning by the Spirit?

  • After this activity, how do you feel about your ability to teach by the Spirit?

Praise the students in their efforts to teach and learn by the Spirit. You could invite students to continue to practice what they have learned as they teach and study the gospel.