Comments on: James E. Talmage: A Short Course on How to Teach a Church Class

By: Julia

Julia — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 17:42:01 +0000

I think if every class followed #3 and #10, there would be a lot more discussion of the gospel, and less of the culture. That is hard though, especially when teaching Primary, when children do need help learning how to implement what they are being taught.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:47:08 +0000

It was published in the Millennial Star, 22 July 1926, 456-57 (probably originated in one of the Church magazines in Utah, but I found it in the Star).

By: Rob W.

Rob W. — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:42:54 +0000

I’d like the reference to this, too. This is absolutely fantastic. Too many called to teach in the church feel they need to be professionals, sometimes to such an extent they prepare extensive Powerpoint presentations. #2 flies in the face of that line of thinking.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:46:41 +0000

Niklas, I’ve send it to the email address you left with your comment.

By: Niklas

Niklas — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:32:50 +0000

As a Ward Sunday School President I really like this.

Ardis, could I please get reference to this?

By: David Y.

David Y. — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:08:55 +0000

Excellent!

By: The Other Clark

The Other Clark — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:29:00 +0000

Good refresher course. The current “Teaching, No Greater Call” manual does offer the opposite advice of #9, on the grounds that the class will get a better answer if the individual knows in advance.

By: kevinf

kevinf — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:25:08 +0000

“…members as well as the teacher should speak loud enough to be heard by all present.

Hear, hear! Our gospel doctrine class is always taught in the chapel, with a few people in the center, and everyone else around the edges and back. We have a few folks who are habitually low talkers (ala Seinfeld), and one in particular who speaks even lower for emphasis. Being at advanced middle age, I am somewhat hearing challenged, but I’m not the only one who asks for these folks to speak up or for the comment to be repeated.

Nice short list, ought to be required reading for all church teachers.

By: Amy T

Amy T — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:37:32 +0000

Very succinct, very useful suggestions.