Classroom Management

Skill: Asking the class or someone in class to share a scripture thought in a devotional in a careful versus casual way.

Introduction

“For most of us a devotional might include music, prayer, and a spiritual thought—often in that order” (Henry B. Eyring, “‘The Lord Will Multiply the Harvest’ An Evening with Elder Henry B. Eyring,” Feb. 6, 1998).

What is my initial understanding or ability? (Assessment)

Write down an invitation you might give to have a student share a scripture thought for the devotional.

What is it and why is it important? (Define):

Asking the class or someone in the class to share a scripture is an invitation for a student to act in faith. President Henry B. Eyring said, “The Lord has also prepared a way to multiply the efforts of a student we ask to give a spiritual thought. We will each do it in our own way, but we could invite a student to give the spiritual thought with words something like this: ‘I know that you have been touched by something you have read in the scriptures. Could you read that scripture to us and tell us what you felt?’

“When that invitation is given early enough, a powerful sequence will begin. The student will listen more carefully for those quiet whisperings of the Spirit as he or she reads. Then, students in the classroom will hear more than the words of the scripture and will feel more than the emotion of the student giving the scriptural thought that day. They will have been taught by the Spirit before we begin to teach the curriculum.”

Who or what provides a good illustration of this? (Model for Scripture):

“Ashton, I believe you have been touched by a scripture as you have been reading the blocks associated with Come Follow Me. Would you be willing to read that scripture to the class tomorrow as part of the devotional and share how it has touched you?”

How can I practice using this skill or applying this principle? (Practice)

1. Write down how you would invite Clair a pleasant but shy student, to share a scripture for a devotional.

2. Think of the next student in your class you will be inviting to share a scripture thought for a devotional, write down how you will invite them to do so.

Ponder or discuss:

• What difference do you think it will make to the student giving the devotional to be asked to share a scripture thought in this way?

• What difference do you think it will make for the class?

How and when will I incorporate this?

Apply what you have learned the next time you invite a student to share scripture thought for devotional.

Decide how you will continue to incorporate this skill as you ask students to share a scripture thought for the devotional.

Want More?

Henry B. Eyring, “’The Lord Will Multiply the Harvest’ An Evening with Elder Henry B. Eyring,” 6 February 1998.

Classroom Management Micro-training: Asking someone in class to say the opening prayer in a devotional in a careful versus casual way.

Classroom Management Micro-training: Asking the class or someone in the class to identify a hymn to sing in a devotional in a careful versus casual way.