“Introduction to Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material (Religion 250),” Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material (2023)
“Introduction,” Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material
Introduction to Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material (Religion 250)
Welcome to Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel! President Russell M. Nelson declared, “There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul” (“Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 6). This course will provide your students an extraordinary opportunity to increase their faith in Jesus Christ, deepen their understanding of His everlasting gospel, and increase their confidence to access His power and Atonement in their individual lives.
What are the objectives of this course?
The Objective of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion “is to help youth and young adults understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven” (Gospel Teaching and Learning: A Handbook for Teachers and Leaders in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion [2012], x).
This course is designed to help you and your students fulfill this objective by
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engaging in learning experiences that increase faith in Jesus Christ and His power to strengthen, cleanse, and perfect you through His Atonement;
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increasing your capacity to receive revelation;
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identifying, explaining, and testifying of divine roles Jesus Christ fulfills in Heavenly Father’s plan of redemption;
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strengthening commitment to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ by keeping His commandments and honoring your covenant relationship with Him; and
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deepening your love for the Savior and looking for ways to show gratitude for Him and your Heavenly Father.
How is this course structured?
This course is divided into six units, with 28 lessons. Each unit covers an important aspect of the Lord’s premortal, mortal, or postmortal mission.
Each lesson is designed for a 50-minute class period. For classes that meet once a week for 90 minutes, teachers can combine two lessons, since the lessons within each unit are closely connected by topic.
Each lesson is composed of class preparation material and teacher material. These lessons are designed to invite thoughtful preparation, encourage students to engage in deeper learning, and bring about actions that help students become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
As you study the curriculum, pray for the Lord’s help so you know how to best meet your students’ needs. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Stay open—stay open to the Spirit, especially. Leave some wiggle room in your lesson plan. If you need to shorten a lesson a little in order to bear your testimony and stimulate a discussion on a contemporary issue, please do so when the Spirit prompts and dictates that it is appropriate. …
… Remember that a student is not a container to be filled; a student is a fire to be ignited. (“Angels and Astonishment” [address given at Seminaries and Institutes of Religion training broadcast, June 12, 2019], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
Class Preparation Material
The class preparation material is intended to be studied by both you and your students in preparation for class. It includes teachings from the scriptures and Church leaders, videos, and a “Want More?” section that provides additional resources related to the lesson topic.
The class preparation material also contains questions and activities that encourage students to deepen their learning and prepare to contribute to class discussions. For example, in the class preparation material for lesson 4, “Finding Purpose and Joy in the Lord’s Creations,” students are invited to do the following activity:
Using the preparation material will help students to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118). Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Learning by faith requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception. …
… A student must exercise faith and act in order to obtain the knowledge for himself or herself. (“Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, Sept. 2007, 64)
You might look for opportunities to reinforce to students the Lord’s promise that those who earnestly seek spiritual learning will receive it (see Matthew 7:7; Doctrine and Covenants 42:61; 88:63).
Teacher Material
In the introduction of the teacher material for each lesson, you will find a description of the intended learner outcomes. This introduction is followed by suggested teaching ideas that provide lesson structure, teachings from the scriptures and Church leaders, truths to emphasize, discussion helps, and application ideas.
As you study the teacher material, pay attention to how it draws on the students’ preparation. Consistently relying on students’ preparation will help them feel the importance of preparing for every class. (Note: Keep in mind that if you introduce additional content during class, the time spent doing so can keep students from sharing what they learned and felt as they studied the preparation material.)
The first question below, from lesson 4, is an example of how the teacher material draws on students’ preparation:
Ponder in Preparation to Teach This Course
Similar to what your students will do before class, take time to ponder as you prepare to teach this course. First, look through a lesson or two to become familiar with the class preparation and teacher materials. Notice how these materials are designed to be used together as you prepare to teach. Then consider the following questions:
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What attitudes or approaches might you adopt to use these materials effectively with your students?
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What are some ways you might encourage students to prepare so they can have a richer experience in class?
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What can you do to include students who may not have studied the preparation material?
How can I effectively prepare to teach?
Heavenly Father will assist you as you prepare and teach His children. Your efforts to diligently study the scriptures and live the gospel will help you qualify for the guidance of the Spirit (see Doctrine and Covenants 11:21).
You may find it helpful to ask one or more of the following questions as you prepare to learn with and teach your students:
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Have I prayed to receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost and to understand my students’ needs? How can I discern what might be most relevant to them?
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Do I feel sufficiently grounded in the scriptures, class preparation material, and teacher material? Is there anything I need to adapt to meet the needs of my students?
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How can I help my students focus on the Savior and learn from the Holy Ghost in this lesson?
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How can I help each of my students fully engage? How can I make sure they have the time they need during class to make personal plans to apply what they are learning?
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How can I create a learning environment where students feel valued, accepted, and safe to share and learn from one another? (See Doctrine and Covenants 88:78, 122.)
How can I adapt lessons for those with disabilities?
As you prepare to teach, be mindful of students who have particular needs. Adjust activities and expectations to include these students and help them succeed. For more information, consult the resources on the Disabilities page at disabilities.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
What is expected of students to receive credit?
To receive credit toward institute graduation, students are required to
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study the preparation material for at least 75 percent of the lessons,
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attend 75 percent of classes, and
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complete one of the following learning experiences: keep a study journal; write responses to three essay questions; design and complete a learning project (with teacher approval) of their own that is related to the content of the course; or record responses to all of the questions and activities in the preparation material. (Note: Students do not need to submit their responses to you; at the end of the semester; they simply need to show you what they completed.) Find more details on the Institute Elevate Learning Experiences page.
Record Your Thoughts
Consider the type of learning experience you hope your students will have in this course. List a few of your thoughts about how you plan to help students have a meaningful learning experience.