Lesson 6

Practice Teaching

Helps for Teaching Lessons from Chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel

Sister Missionaries in Thailand talking to people, teaching people and praying.

Providing class members with repeated teaching opportunities can increase their confidence and ability to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It can also strengthen their testimony of the Savior and His doctrine.

How to use this lesson

Discussion leader: This lesson provides ideas to help learners study and teach truths from chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel. As you determine how and when to use the ideas in this lesson, consider the following:

Frequency: Class members will benefit from repeated teaching opportunities throughout the course.
Examples: Before inviting class members to teach, show them examples of what they are being asked to do. For instance, you could (1) demonstrate how to teach a truth, or (2) use the short sample lessons from “Teach When You Find” (Preach My Gospel, 175-76).
Environment: Be sure each person has someone to teach. Ensure that they face their partner or group and that everyone can hear each other. Encourage learners to respect their peers who are teaching them.
Repetition: Try to give learners opportunities to teach the same truth multiple times in a class session. This will help them adjust and improve. You could assign them to teach different people each time.
Adaptation: Over time, you could help learners focus on more refined teaching skills, such as teaching with a companion, extending effective invitations, or asking good questions. For ideas of additional skills you could incorporate, see the skill practices at the end of this manual.

Ideas to help class members practice teaching

Discussion leader: The following teaching guides are designed to help learners take the beginning steps to becoming effective teachers.

Brief summary

Discussion leader: This is the quickest and simplest option. Learners can prepare and teach a brief summary of a gospel topic in just a few minutes. They could occasionally do this at the beginning of class, before you begin your scheduled lesson.

To help class members prepare a brief summary, display the following instructions:

Locate the section titled “Doctrinal Foundation” in lesson 1, 2, or 3 from chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel (pages 33–44, 50–60, 64–74).
Choose one of the topics in this section that you want to study. Take a few minutes to study and understand this topic.
Share a one-to-two-minute summary of your topic with a partner or small group.

Simple lesson outline

Discussion leader: This option gives learners an opportunity to add additional components into their teaching. These components include sharing a related scripture, extending invitations, and sharing their testimony.

Locate the section titled “Doctrinal Foundation” in lesson 1, 2, or 3 from chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel (pages 33–44, 50–60, 64–74).
Choose one of the topics in this section that you want to study. Increase your understanding of this topic by (1) reading the subsection and highlighting what you find most important and (2) studying some of the scriptures in the “Scripture Study” box.
Create a simple outline that contains:
- A short summary of what you learned.
- A related scripture to share.
- An invitation you could extend.
- Your testimony.
- Use your outline to teach a partner about the topic you studied.

Teach two or more truths

Guide for Preparing and Teaching a Short Lesson

Which of the following lessons from chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel will you teach from? (Select one.)

____ Lesson 1: The Message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
____ Lesson 2: Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation
____ Lesson 3: The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Go to the “Doctrinal Foundation” section of the lesson you chose. Look over the bolded headings. Select at least two of these topics that you want to practice teaching. Which headings did you choose?

To help you prepare, think of someone you know who might be blessed by the truths you want to teach. Write down a question, concern, or need this person has that your lesson can address.

Organize and summarize what you will teach. Prepare a lesson that you could teach in five to seven minutes. Consider doing the following: (1) Identify at least one scripture you will share. (2) Record at least one question you will ask. (3) Think of an experience or example you could share. (4) Consider when you might bear your testimony. (5) Record an invitation you could extend.

Prepare your outline using the space below and the back of this page. When you teach, don’t worry about covering everything. Teach from your heart, using your own words.

Reflect

Discussion leader: After class members have practiced teaching, consider discussing their experience. You could ask questions like the following:

What did you learn from the process of preparing and teaching?
What did you study and teach about that meant the most to you? Why?
How do you want to improve as a teacher?

Set a goal

Discussion leader: Give class members time to reflect on what they have learned today and to set goals. You could display the following to help them:

Set a goal that relates to what you have studied. Use ideas like the following, or think of your own.

Teach the truths you prepared and taught today to someone outside of class.
Choose one or more of the lessons in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel to study further.

My goal

I will … (action you will take).
I will accomplish my goal by … (a simple plan).

Discussion leader: If learners have a group to share their goals with, give them time to share how they will support or remind each other before the next class.

Next Time

Discussion leader: If you are ready to study lesson 7 next time, consider inviting learners to study “The Invitation to Be Baptized and Confirmed” from chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel (pages 28–29) in preparation. You might also want to send them a reminder.

Guide for Preparing and Teaching a Short Lesson