Teaching with the Spirit

After the training last week, I have been thinking a lot about teaching with the spirit. I thought about what I have been taught over the years when it comes to feeling and using the spirit to teach. Three main things came to mind:

1. Daily sincere prayer; where we strive to listen to what the Lord has to tell us when we pray.

2. Daily scripture reading; where we think and ponder on what we have read.

3. Reading our lesson ahead of time; so that we can ponder on the topic. Giving the Lord the opportunity, to give us revelation about what we should be teaching.

These three simple steps seem so easy too easy. So I asked myself if these steps have worked in my own life. My thoughts went back to my mission when I was praying several times a day, reading my scriptures daily and teaching on a daily basis. My answer was a resounding yes that these simple steps have worked in my own life to teach with the spirit. More times than I can count, are moments, where the spirit reminded me of principle that studied that day or week during a teaching moment. Then I thought how are we able to teach with the spirit, if we aren’t filling our vessels with knowledge from the Lord. Like the 10 virgins, on a daily basis we can choose to fill ourselves with spiritual oil, so that we are prepared when those teaching moments come. Or through personal choice we can be empty, when those priceless moments present themselves. The choices, I make, determine whether I have a full vessel or an empty one when the teaching moments present themselves.

Melanie Bissey
Arlington Stake Primary
Second Counselor

Teaching, No Greater Call

This week we had a wonderful leadership training that taught us how great the calling of teaching is. Brother Graver played a talk by David M. McConkie about, Teaching with the Power and Authority of God. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/teaching-with-the-power-and-authority-of-god?lang=eng. The programs that the church has rolled out is teaching us how to teach like Christ taught. If we use this program we will learn how to teach by the spirit.

I want to personally thank all of you for your participation and assisting with bringing and keeping the spirit so strong in the room. I learned so much from all of you and all of your wonderful programs. Sister McClellan, shared a wonderful video that I wanted to make sure you could watch it again. https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/archive/primary-auxiliary-training/2012/03?lang=eng. Please share these links with your primary leaderships and teachers. Making sure that everyone gets the opportunity to learn from them. As we were told we are all teachers and there is no greater call.

Melanie Bissey
Arlington Stake Primary
Second Counselor

Learning from the Children

Today at church, I was reminded that even though we are called to help the children learn, most of the time I felt it was me learning from them. They are so open and honest with their thoughts and feelings, sometimes to the chagrin of their parents. I don’t think that I have ever left a primary that I didn’t feel edified; especially when their voices are raising in song. How can you not feel the spirit when you hear primary children sing “Teach me to walk in the light of his love; Teach me to pray to my Father above; Teach to know all the things that are right. Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.” We need to remember to take those moments to feel the strong spirit from them so that we can strengthen our testimonies. Then we have the strength to help these amazing children of God learn how to gain a strong foundation in the gospel.

I also wanted to remind everyone about the Leadership Training at the Stake Center, this Thursday October 17th at 6:30 p.m. It will be the place to help fill up our lamps.

Melanie Bissey
Arlington Stake Primary
Second Counselor

Learning through Music

"As you sing, you may feel good inside. The Holy Ghost gives you warm feelings to help you understand that the words and messages in the songs are true. You can learn about the gospel in this way, and your testimony will grow as you learn. You will remember more easily what you have learned when you sing about it. The melody of a song helps you remember the words and also brings the feeling of the song to your heart. The illustrations will also help you see what the songs teach. Once you know the songs, they can be with you always (like good friends) to help you make right choices and be happy."

This is a quote from the Preface to the Children's Songbook. In this one paragraph that is intended to provide guidance to the children, we learn how we can best present music to the children. There are so many types of children in our Primary, and if we vary our focus on melody, illustrations, text, and singing, along with fun when appropriate, the children will keep these songs with them always. They will learn the gospel and use the songs to choose the right. We know this will bring them happiness in life. Please remember to share this testimony with them. When you bring the Spirit to primary, the children will feel it and take that feeling into their hearts.

Sara Hammond
Music/Nursery counselor
Arlington Stake Primary