This week I am focusing on improving our Sunday teaching by the use of
class discussions. Here are excerpts from Chapter 14 of Teaching No Greater
Call, “Conducting Discussions”. I hope you gain as much from it as I did from
reviewing this chapter.
Judy Watt
Suggestions
for Conducting Discussions
Use
Questions
Questions
can encourage those present to participate in discussions. They can help
learners understand a principle, think about it more deeply, and relate it to
their lives.
Find Ways
for All to Participate
Those you teach will benefit from each other’s participation.
However, you may find yourself asking for comments only from those who raise
their hands.
Be sensitive and prayerful as you consider each individual. You
may decide to ask for a person’s opinion about a topic rather than ask a
factual question that he or she may not be able to answer.
Maintain
the Focus of the Lessons
Occasionally learners share ideas that do not relate to the
lesson. If you feel that a comment detracts from a lesson, guide the discussion
back to the main points of the lesson.
There may also be times when you do not know the answer to a
question. If this happens, simply say that you do not know. You may want to say
that you will try to find the answer. Or you may want to invite learners to
find the answer.
Do Not
Talk Too Much
Your main concern should be helping others learn the gospel, not
making an impressive presentation.
Do Not
End Discussions Too Soon
Be careful not to end good discussions too soon in an attempt to
present all the material you have prepared.
Listen
Make every effort to listen sincerely to learners’ comments. Your
example will encourage them to listen carefully to one another. If you do not
understand someone’s comment, ask a question.
Acknowledge
All Contributions
You can help those you teach feel more confident about their
ability to participate in a discussion if you respond positively to every
sincere comment.
Rescue
Learners Who Give Incorrect Answers
Occasionally someone might say something that is incorrect. You
can rescue the learner with a response like, “I had not thought of it that way
before."
Bringing
Discussions to a Close
It is important to end discussions at the right time. Much of the
spirit of an uplifting discussion is lost when it lasts too long. The following
suggestions may help you:
·
Manage the time. Know when the lesson should end. Give yourself
enough time to summarize what has been said and to bear your testimony.
·
Give learners a time limit. You could say something like, “We have
time for only two more comments.” Or you could say, “We’ll listen to one more
comment, and then I’ll conclude with a final thought.”
In addition to bringing discussions to a close at the right time,
it is important to end discussions in the right way. Thank the learners for participating. Then
summarize the main points you have covered. Review any new insights gained from
the discussion, and encourage those you teach to use their deepened
understanding in applying the principles to their lives. As prompted by the
Spirit, bear your testimony.
Link to a
Helpful Teaching Video on lds.org