Full, But Not Nourished
Posted by Connor on February 10th, 2007
This afternoon in the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Elder Holland related a story told originally by President Boyd K. Packer (which he also related in this 1998 General Conference talk):
During a severe winter several years ago, President Boyd K. Packer noted that a goodly number of deer had died of starvation while their stomachs were full of hay. In an honest effort to assist, agencies had supplied the superficial when the substantial was what had been needed. Regrettably they had fed the deer but they had not nourished them.
I found this example to be quite interesting, especially since for me it hit quite close to home. In my teaching assignments I find myself often wanting to spout out a fire hydrant’s worth of information when rather I should be seeking to “nourish with the word of God” being led by the Spirit.
I find that I am sometimes unable to best balance the informational with the nutritional (and perhaps the two are often the same). Clearly hay is not bad, but when that is all that is given, we spiritually suffer from a lack of nutrients.
Ye teachers of Zion: How do you nourish? I’m interested to hear any teaching methods you may have employed (or seen employed by other teachers) that assure that those in the class are nurtured with the doctrines of our gospel rather than merely learning stories, connections, patterns, and themes.
I think this sums up my feelings on this:
Elder Gene R. Cook of the Seventy counseled: “Who will do the teaching? The Comforter. Be sure you don’t believe you are the ‘true teacher.’ That is a serious mistake. … Be careful you do not get in the way. The major role of a teacher is to prepare the way such that the people will have a spiritual experience with the Lord. You are an instrument, not the teacher. The Lord is the One who knows the needs of those being taught. He is the One who can impress someone’s heart and cause them to change†(address delivered to religious educators, 1 Sept. 1989).
The more a teacher humbly approaches his or her calling and each teaching experience, the more I think it’s possible for the Spirit to be present. When a teacher comes with lots of material and focuses more on getting through that material rather than letting the Spirit guide, I feel less nourished.
One other thought: I think nourishing lessons actively involve the class, asking thought-provoking (but not necessarily novel) questions. This also means a class needs to be willing to share and be open, and to testify. When we can open our hearts together and rejoice in the gospel, that is nourishment because the Spirit flows. I’m fortunate to live in a ward where this takes place on a regular basis. The focus of the manuals in applying simple gospel principles to our lives (rather than a focus on sharing information (historical facts, doctrinal expositions, etc.) is a good way to get this kind of interaction going, IMO.
Comment # 1 left by Michelle on February 10th, 2007
Nourishing is a tricky thing to manage in Primary. There’s no Spiritual Food Pyramid that I can look to and spiritual nourishment isn’t as simple as “two servings of vegetables” anyway.
I struggle with this every week. What I have learned so far is that, especially with my particular crew, I need to stop trying to find the different and interesting and concentrate on the simple. I kept thinking of my own days in Primary and how boring and repetitious the lessons were and assuming my students were as sick of it as I was. However, most of them come from struggling families; they just don’t have the background to be bored.
So one way to nourish, that I’m currently trying to perfect, is listening to the students. Especially and most importantly not only to the questions they ask and the things they say but the things they don’t say and how they respond.
Comment # 2 left by Proud Daughter of Eve on February 11th, 2007
PDoE,
Thanks for your thoughts. I like especially the listening one. I have never taught Primary so this was helpful for me to think through.
I had another thought during SS today. Testify. Especially of the Savior. And keep a focus on Him so that the lessons help us come to Him.
Comment # 3 left by Michelle on February 11th, 2007
I find that the best talks and lessons I have given were when I only took a brief outline with me. That does not mean not to prepare, but often the less specifics the better. In many ways we have prepared for teaching the gospel for much of our lives - we need to trust that preparation.
I also think sincerely wanting to nourish is important. If we think the point is for us to be thought of as a good teacher, and fill up our pride bucket, then we may not be very successful. If we sincerely hope to help and only care for the benefit of all we will be in good position for the spirit.
Comment # 4 left by Eric Nielson on February 12th, 2007
[...] In the spirit of the leadership development broadcast over the weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to go over my thought process in preparing this weeks lesson for my class. [...]
Comment # 5 left by Blogger of Jared » Blog Archive » The problem of miracles on February 12th, 2007
I try to make each class as transformative an experience as possible. In other words, I pray and prepare to hopefully teach/touch on something that will touch the life of at least one person in each class who will undergo a spiritual transformation over the next week because of something the Spirit whispered during the lesson.
I teach Gospel Doctrine in my ward, and I think it is very, very important to make it a real spiritual feast each and every week (not consisting of spiritual twinkies made up of just dramatic stories, etc., but real transformative spiritual substance). The ways I do this vary with the lesson and with the promptings of the Spirit that week.
Sometimes, I illustrate points that are being taught with hymns. Sometimes, people share profound spiritual experiences touching on the subject being taught/discussed. Sometimes, after remembering a special moment in the scriptures that is doctrinally meaningful, we just sit quietly and ponder.
I was very grateful for the comments of those whom the Lord has chosen as His Apostles in these times- I agree that seeking to nourish is the key. That is always what I seek, and what I have re-dedicated myself to seeking even more so after the wonderful broadcast last week.
Comment # 6 left by Jordan on February 13th, 2007