Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Seminary: Highlight Worksheet
This year I am going to try something a little different. I am going to try to get the leadership of each of the wards to provide a highlight of one of the students (monthly) to share something great or special about each of the students. I hope to build a stronger bond between them and that means that they need to know more about each other. Especially since some of the students belong to different wards and go to different schools. If their relationship were strengthened then they would be more apt to participate in activies in class. Here is the link to the worksheet that I am using (download).
Seminary: Getting to Know You Worksheet
I was asked to teach a class that spanned multiple wards and as a result there were many student in my class that I did not know. In an effort to get to know them better and to help them get to know me I had each of them fill out this worksheet (download) and I filled it out for myslef and gave them each a copy. Try not to provide too many personal elements about yourself though help them get to know you so that they can trust you and believe in what you are teaching them.
Seminary: Giving a Devotional
An important element to helping seminary students to learn how to understand scripture is by giving them the opportunity to give devotionals. This is not meant to be an activity that should be hastily done the last minute. The student should take the time to think about the scripture or topic in which the devotional is going to be about. They should not just read the scripture or topic but should know the background and personal application for the scripture or topic.
Another element of doing devotionals is to help the students to be more prepared for opportunities to speak in Church as well as to be more prepared for life after graduation, mission, college, work... After graduation these students will have times where they will be asked and expected to stand up in front of others and express their ideas with confidence.
In my oppinion the student would be best served if their devotional is based upon a scripture that is part of the specific year's study (e.g. we are studying the Book of Mormon so the scripture should be a verse or verses from the Book of Mormon). If they are allowed to select any scripture or topic then they will just reuse devotionals from previous years and are not increasing their scope of understanding of the scriptures. Plus it can help to encourage more thought about the verses that they are reading in nightly study. If they are not doing nightly study then this might at least get them to have one night for evening reading or might even inspire additional reading. Lastly if they are preparing from the same scriptures that you are studing in class then they might be more prepared for your lessons and might make the lessons a little more proactive.
I have included a link to a document that could help assist the student in preparing their devotional (download). This document has a section for the student to write down the background for the scripture, the scripture itself and the personal application for the scripture. It should be encouraged to not use lengthy scriptures, and the overall devotional should only be about 5 minutes in length. Any less than that and the student will not get as much out of it. Any more and the audience will be lost (it is 6 am after all). Plus you do not want it to eat into your lesson plan too much.
Another element of doing devotionals is to help the students to be more prepared for opportunities to speak in Church as well as to be more prepared for life after graduation, mission, college, work... After graduation these students will have times where they will be asked and expected to stand up in front of others and express their ideas with confidence.
In my oppinion the student would be best served if their devotional is based upon a scripture that is part of the specific year's study (e.g. we are studying the Book of Mormon so the scripture should be a verse or verses from the Book of Mormon). If they are allowed to select any scripture or topic then they will just reuse devotionals from previous years and are not increasing their scope of understanding of the scriptures. Plus it can help to encourage more thought about the verses that they are reading in nightly study. If they are not doing nightly study then this might at least get them to have one night for evening reading or might even inspire additional reading. Lastly if they are preparing from the same scriptures that you are studing in class then they might be more prepared for your lessons and might make the lessons a little more proactive.
I have included a link to a document that could help assist the student in preparing their devotional (download). This document has a section for the student to write down the background for the scripture, the scripture itself and the personal application for the scripture. It should be encouraged to not use lengthy scriptures, and the overall devotional should only be about 5 minutes in length. Any less than that and the student will not get as much out of it. Any more and the audience will be lost (it is 6 am after all). Plus you do not want it to eat into your lesson plan too much.
Seminary: Book of Mormon Scripture Mastery Matching
Here is a Book of Mormon Scripture Mastery Matching worksheet (download) This document is a Microsoft Excel document. The first tab has the worksheet and the second tab has the answer key.
Seminary: Book of Mormon Scripture Mastery Crossword Puzzle
Here is a link to a Book of Mormon Scripture Mastery Crossword Puzzle (download). This document contains the worksheet (page 1) and the answer key (page 2).
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Talk: Daughters of God
Things My Mother Taught Me
My Mother taught me LOGIC…
“If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can’t go to the store with me.”
My Mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE…
“If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they’re going to freeze that way.”
My Mother taught me TO THINK AHEAD…
“If you don’t pass your spelling test, you’ll never get a good job!”
My Mother taught me ESP…
“Put your sweater on; don’t you think that I know when you are cold?”
My Mother taught me TO MEET A CHALLENGE…
“What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you… Don’t talk back to me!”
My Mother taught me HUMOR…
“When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”
My Mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT…
“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”
My Mother taught me ABOUT GENETICS…
“You’re just like your father!”
My Mother taught me ABOUT MY ROOTS…
“Do you think you were born in a barn?”
My Mother taught me ABOUT THE WISDOM OF AGE…
“When you get to be my age, you will understand!”
My Mother taught me ABOUT ANTICIPATION…
“Just wait until your father gets home!”
My Mother taught me ABOUT RECEIVING…
“You are going to get it when we get home!”
And my all time favorite thing, JUSTICE…
“One day you will have kids, and I hope that they turn out just like you. Then you’ll see what it’s like.”
Talk by M Russell Ballard from May Ensign 2008 – Daughters of God
While women live in homes under many different circumstances—married, single, widowed, or divorced, some with children and some without—all are beloved of God, and He has a plan for His righteous daughters to receive the highest blessings of eternity.
There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.
In the words of the proclamation on the family, “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children”
Story – I had the meanest mother in the world
We have enormous respect and gratitude to you mothers of young children. We want you to be happy and successful in your families and to have the validation and support you need and deserve. So today, let me ask and briefly answer four questions. While my answers may seem extremely simple, if the simple things are being tended to, a mother’s life can be most rewarding.
The first question: What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?
First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.
Second, don’t over schedule yourselves or your children. We live in a world that is filled with options. If we are not careful, we will find every minute jammed with social events, classes, exercise time, book clubs, scrapbooking, Church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows…. Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together.
Third, even as you try to cut out the extra commitments, sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them.
Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother.
The second question: What more can a husband do to support his wife, the mother of their children?
First, show extra appreciation and give more validation for what your wife does every day. Notice things and say thank you—often. Schedule some evenings together, just the two of you.
Second, have a regular time to talk with your wife about each child’s needs and what you can do to help.
Third, give your wife a “day away” now and then. Just take over the household and give your wife a break from her daily responsibilities. Taking over for a while will greatly enhance your appreciation of what your wife does.
Fourth, come home from work and take an active role with your family. Don’t put work, friends, or sports
ahead of listening to, playing with, and teaching your children.
The third question: What can children, even young children, do? Now, you children, please listen to me because there are some simple things you can do to help your mother.
First, you can pick up your toys when you are finished playing with them, and when you get a little older, you can make your bed, help with the dishes, and do other chores—without being asked.
Second, you can say thank you more often when you finish a nice meal, when a story is read to you at bedtime, or when clean clothes are put in your drawers.
Third, most of all, you can put your arms around your mother often and tell her you love her.
My Mother taught me LOGIC…
“If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can’t go to the store with me.”
My Mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE…
“If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they’re going to freeze that way.”
My Mother taught me TO THINK AHEAD…
“If you don’t pass your spelling test, you’ll never get a good job!”
My Mother taught me ESP…
“Put your sweater on; don’t you think that I know when you are cold?”
My Mother taught me TO MEET A CHALLENGE…
“What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you… Don’t talk back to me!”
My Mother taught me HUMOR…
“When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”
My Mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT…
“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”
My Mother taught me ABOUT GENETICS…
“You’re just like your father!”
My Mother taught me ABOUT MY ROOTS…
“Do you think you were born in a barn?”
My Mother taught me ABOUT THE WISDOM OF AGE…
“When you get to be my age, you will understand!”
My Mother taught me ABOUT ANTICIPATION…
“Just wait until your father gets home!”
My Mother taught me ABOUT RECEIVING…
“You are going to get it when we get home!”
And my all time favorite thing, JUSTICE…
“One day you will have kids, and I hope that they turn out just like you. Then you’ll see what it’s like.”
Talk by M Russell Ballard from May Ensign 2008 – Daughters of God
While women live in homes under many different circumstances—married, single, widowed, or divorced, some with children and some without—all are beloved of God, and He has a plan for His righteous daughters to receive the highest blessings of eternity.
There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.
In the words of the proclamation on the family, “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children”
Story – I had the meanest mother in the world
We have enormous respect and gratitude to you mothers of young children. We want you to be happy and successful in your families and to have the validation and support you need and deserve. So today, let me ask and briefly answer four questions. While my answers may seem extremely simple, if the simple things are being tended to, a mother’s life can be most rewarding.
The first question: What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?
First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.
Second, don’t over schedule yourselves or your children. We live in a world that is filled with options. If we are not careful, we will find every minute jammed with social events, classes, exercise time, book clubs, scrapbooking, Church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows…. Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together.
Third, even as you try to cut out the extra commitments, sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them.
Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother.
The second question: What more can a husband do to support his wife, the mother of their children?
First, show extra appreciation and give more validation for what your wife does every day. Notice things and say thank you—often. Schedule some evenings together, just the two of you.
Second, have a regular time to talk with your wife about each child’s needs and what you can do to help.
Third, give your wife a “day away” now and then. Just take over the household and give your wife a break from her daily responsibilities. Taking over for a while will greatly enhance your appreciation of what your wife does.
Fourth, come home from work and take an active role with your family. Don’t put work, friends, or sports
ahead of listening to, playing with, and teaching your children.
The third question: What can children, even young children, do? Now, you children, please listen to me because there are some simple things you can do to help your mother.
First, you can pick up your toys when you are finished playing with them, and when you get a little older, you can make your bed, help with the dishes, and do other chores—without being asked.
Second, you can say thank you more often when you finish a nice meal, when a story is read to you at bedtime, or when clean clothes are put in your drawers.
Third, most of all, you can put your arms around your mother often and tell her you love her.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Testimony
I am not the smartest or most learned person in the world. There are many things that I do not know and only so much that I know I can comprehend. With that being said I have come to a knowledge that truth is absolute. Our perceptions of what is true may change at times but truth is eternal. I can convenience someone that an event did not happen or sway an audience to think that I am someone that I am not but that does not change what is true, just their perception of what is true.
As I mentioned earlier, I do not know all things, though some would say that I pretend to. There are many things that I hope for, things that I believe in and a very few things that I truly know. I know that the source of our ability to discern truth from fiction stems from our maker. He has promised us that he will send his spirit to those seeking truth to confirm what is true and what is false. The scriptures tell us that the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). Only the spirit of God can promote such feelings. It is by these these feelings that we can understand truth, though do not be deceived since Satan can generate similar but different feelings.
It is through this medium that I have come to know of the love of our God, and that he desire for us to be happy and to return to him again. All he has done, is doing and will be doing is for this purpose. I know that our Saviour lives and that he loves each one of us. I know that the Lord has a Prophet on the earth today to help guide us in his path. There are many more things that I believe and hope of which there are too many things for me to note in this message.
As I mentioned earlier, I do not know all things, though some would say that I pretend to. There are many things that I hope for, things that I believe in and a very few things that I truly know. I know that the source of our ability to discern truth from fiction stems from our maker. He has promised us that he will send his spirit to those seeking truth to confirm what is true and what is false. The scriptures tell us that the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). Only the spirit of God can promote such feelings. It is by these these feelings that we can understand truth, though do not be deceived since Satan can generate similar but different feelings.
It is through this medium that I have come to know of the love of our God, and that he desire for us to be happy and to return to him again. All he has done, is doing and will be doing is for this purpose. I know that our Saviour lives and that he loves each one of us. I know that the Lord has a Prophet on the earth today to help guide us in his path. There are many more things that I believe and hope of which there are too many things for me to note in this message.
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