Principles of Christlike Teaching: Teach by the Spirit

Help learners seek, recognize, and act on personal revelation.

Skill

Before responding to a student’s question or comment, pause and think, “What can I ask them?” or “What can I invite them to do?”

Define

When a student makes a comment or asks a question, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “Instead of thinking, ‘What am I going to tell them?’ the focus should be, ‘What would I ask them?’ And not only ‘What would I ask them?’ but also ‘What would I invite them to do?’” (“An Evening with Elder David A. Bednar” [evening with a General Authority, Feb. 7, 2020], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). When a teacher asks the question “What can I ask them?” the teacher can be guided by the Holy Ghost to either gain more information to see the learner more clearly or to know how to help him or her seek for and act on personal revelation.

When a teacher asks the question “What would I invite them to do?” the teacher can connect with the Holy Ghost to know what invitation to extend, and the student can better consider how to act on personal revelation.

Model

Look for how the teacher thinks before responding:

• After class, Maria waits to ask how she can tell the difference between her own thoughts and the promptings of the Spirit.

• Before I respond, I pause and think, “What can I ask that would invite her to seek her own answer through personal revelation?” and “What can I invite her to do so she can learn the answer for herself?”

Click here to see a video of this model.

Practice

• In class, Jafari asks the following question: “How can I use the Atonement of Jesus Christ to help me with things other than forgiveness?”

  Before formulating your response, pause and think, “What can I …”

Note: The practice is not asking the question or invitation. It is asking you to pause and think, “What can I ask him or invite him to do so that he can connect with the Holy Ghost and learn the answer for himself?”

• Annie says, “I’m never getting married. Too many members of my family are already divorced, so it’s not worth it.”

  Before formulating your response, pause and think, “What can I …”

• Nick asks, “What is the best thing I can do to prepare for a mission?”

  Before formulating your response, pause and think, “What can I …”

Discuss or Ponder

• What is your typical response after someone asks you a question?

• What have you learned about guiding learners to seek and act on personal revelation?

Incorporate

• Each day this week, imagine a student asking you a question. Before you respond, silently say to yourself, “What can I ask or invite them to do that will connect them with the Holy Ghost to learn the answer for themselves?” Then, throughout the week, when a student asks you a question or makes a comment, pause and think about what question or invitation you can ask them rather than what you will tell them.

Want more?

• David A. Bednar, “An Evening with Elder David A. Bednar” (evening with a General Authority, Feb. 7, 2020), broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Skill

Share statements that help students recognize when the Holy Ghost is performing His role or function.

Define

“Living in a world that is so often oblivious to spiritual things, we all need help recognizing the voice of the Spirit. We may have felt the Spirit without realizing it. … One of the greatest gifts you can give as a teacher is to help those you teach progress in this lifelong pursuit of personal revelation” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2022], Gospel Library). When the Holy Ghost is performing one of His roles or functions, a teacher can state that role or function and testify of how He is performing it. This is very useful after a student has shared something, but it can also happen any time throughout the class. Doing this can help students recognize when the Holy Ghost is present in class and throughout their lives.

Different roles and functions of the Holy Ghost can be found in:

• “Teach and Learn by the Spirit,” in “Classroom Management,” Additional Helps for Teachers

• “Seek and Rely on the Spirit,” Preach My Gospel (2019), 101–111

Model

• Student: “This scripture reminds me of that one general conference talk from President Nelson when He invited us to let God prevail.”

• Teacher: “Rosa, thanks for sharing that this scripture reminded you of President Nelson’s quote. A role of the Holy Ghost is to bring all things to our remembrance. The Holy Ghost was part of the process of you remembering that quote.”

• After students shared experiences of a truth they learned in class, Sister Lopez states, “Class, the Holy Ghost testifies of truth, and I am grateful for the truths He has testified of today through your experiences.”

Click here to see a video of this model.

Practice

Use the role or function of the Holy Ghost and the student comment in the table below to practice what you might say to recognize the role or function.

Role or Function of the Holy Ghost	Student Comment	Teacher Statement
Role or Function of the Holy Ghost He bears witness of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:3; Ether 12:41).	Student Comment “In these verses, I learned that Jesus Christ heals those who reach out to Him.”	Teacher Statement
Role or Function of the Holy Ghost He edifies (lifts or builds spiritually) both the teacher and the student (see 1 Corinthians 14:12; Doctrine and Covenants 50:22–23).	Student Comment “I really liked what Jorge said about the temple and would like to add that …”	Teacher Statement
Role or Function of the Holy Ghost He bestows the “fruit of the Spirit,” which includes such things as joy, love, peace, patience, and gentleness (Galatians 5:22–23).	Student Comment “I have been trying to be nicer to my sister.”	Teacher Statement

Discuss or Ponder

• What are you learning as you practice each statement?

• How can these simple statements help our students understand and recognize how the Holy Ghost speaks to them?

Incorporate

• How will you continue to learn and state the roles and functions of the Holy Ghost as they are present in the classroom?

Want More?

• Gary E. Stevenson, “How does the Holy Ghost Help You?,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 117–120