Session 1: Practicum Week 2 Notes

We had a lovely Sunday School experience.

The Aimans shared personal experiences related to Elder Bednar’s April 2024 talk, “Be Still, and Know that I am God.” When they were tour guides for the Red Rock Temple Open House, Sister Aiman was able to serve in the Celestial Room as tours came through on their silent tour. She recalled how people would gasp as they walked into the Celestial Room, how you could sense God’s presence, and how the little children would run their hands on the carpet to feel it as if they were tangibly feeling the Spirit. Br. Aiman noted that “Be still” is a command form (Br. Hancock suggested thinking of it as an 11th commandment). “Be still” is a recipe for us to be able to know God, to seek a relationship with God through the Holy Ghost.

The Smiths shared a prompting to begin family scripture study when their children were little, and they began the very next day at the kids’ bedtime. The kids learned to read and count with the Book of Mormon. They consistently read every night, sometimes on the phone. The consistency put them in the place (in the scriptures) where they needed to be. For example, they read Ether 2 one night, up until about verse 20, and stopped for some reason with only a few verses left. The next day was the day Rexburg received the isolated flooding from a huge rainstorm. Their house was one of those that flooded. That night as they gathered for scriptures and looking for comfort, they finished Ether 2: 24-25:

“…for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth. And behold, I prepared you against these things…” As they had consistently read, they were put in the right place for the comfort they needed at the right time.

They also shared how they study Come, Follow Me as a couple. They read the lesson individually on Sunday for the coming week, highlighting things that stick out to them, and then share that with each other. Using the Gospel Library app, they can read through the lesson and link scriptures to part of the lesson, then as they read the verses throughout the week, they are linked back to the Come, Follow Me lessons - to relevant questions or insights. They testified of the tender mercies that come through regular scripture study, citing Helaman 3:29-30,

“Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which i quick and power, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across the everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked - And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.”

The Hanks talked about using music in our homes to teach the gospel and invite the Spirit. Sister Hank's mom played church music and/or scripture stories each night as the kids settled in for bed. They listened to church music on their long drive to and from church each Sunday. Sister Hanks noted that in D&C 25, we are reminded about hymns being equated with putting prayers upon our heads. She and the class talked about the various blessings that we receive as we turn to good music or make it a part of our lives: stillness, developing talents, witness of the Spirit, reverence, remembering, love, and that answers can come to us through the truths of the hymns. Sister Hans shared the story of Sister Neill F. Marriot first feeling God’s love through music, and then years later as she searched for that same love, she found it in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Br. Hanks shared the testimony of President Hinckley singing, “Praise to the Man” at the age of 12, and receiving an undeniable testimony of Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling.
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Session 1: Practicum Week 1 Notes

Bishop Galbraith: Using illustrated scripture stories and acting them out can help kids grasp the scriptures and learn to love the stories.

Mark Watkins shared they sometimes built scenes from the scriptures using duplo blocks/legos.

Br. & Sis. Jamison: They brought a printed version of the illustrated scriptures, seconding what Bishop said. They also showed New Testament for Latter-day Saint Families, available also in Book of Mormon and Old Testament versions. Find it at Deseret Book (new) or Deseret Industries (used). They found that early morning study didn’t work for their family. Try playing “popcorn” to keep everyone on their toes: instead of reading in a predictable circle, have the reader of a verse pick the next person so no one knows when he or she might be next. Try also “fill in the blank” - one reader pauses mid-sentence and the listener tries to guess what comes next (the listener isn’t reading along for this).
Reading the scriptures at an accelerated pace gives you a big picture view. [Reading slow leads to specific details and application.]

We discussed the need for sleep. Teens and toddlers need about the same amount of sleep, but teens don’t feel tired until later than adults, and they aren’t ready to wake up until later in the morning. Sis. Hanks noted that nutrition also plays a role in one’s ability to focus.

Tom & Martha Croasmun: while listening to Come, Follow Me podcasts, they piece together puzzles. This helps them stay alert and focus on what they’re listening to while spending time together. You can pause and discuss the podcast. In their personal study, they both like to use Thomas Valletta’s Book of Mormon study guide. Read through the Book of Mormon each year; mark it up and make it yours. Look through past notes as you read along. Spreading out the reading throughout the week is helpful (like using Scripture Plus). Also, each month look at what the Come, Follow Me article is in the Liahona.

Faith and Maxwell: Using the Gospel Library App, you can scroll down to the very bottom and find a daily verse and/or daily thought. The app keeps track of your streak so you can make it a game - how many days in a row can you go without missing? They listen to Come, Follow Me podcasts on roadtrips.

Consider how you see evidence of God in the world around you. Acknowledging this helps you build your testimony.

Alma 31:35 - Their souls are precious and many of them are our brethren - perhaps their very own families, and literally their brothers and sisters.

Bullet points:
  • Illustrated Scripture Stories
  • Act out Scripture Stories
  • Build Scripture scenes with toy blocks
  • Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families
  • “Popcorn” - pick the next reader so everyone is on their toes, never knowing if they’ll be picked next
  • “Fill in the Blank” - pause mid-sentence and see if the listener (who isn’t reading along) can fill in the sentence
  • Be aware of physical needs: early morning can be really hard for kids; make sure people are nourished so they can focus. Teens and toddlers need about same amount of sleep, but Teens don’t get sleepy until later (and thus need to sleep in longer) than adults
  • Accelerated scripture reading can help give the overall narrative - slow reading can lead to specific insights
  • Try listening to podcasts together as you put together a puzzle
  • Read and mark along as you study
  • Remember the Liahona article each month re: Come, Follow Me
  • Read the daily verse and/or thought in the Gospel Library App. Make it a game and see how long you can keep up a streak.
Podcasts referenced today:

Consider how you see evidence of God in the world around you. Acknowledging this helps you build your testimony.

Alma 31:35 - Their souls are precious and many of them are our brethren - perhaps their very own families, and literally their brothers and sisters.
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Week 3: Sharing

Lesson Outline:

Sharing

Our Goal is to make the home the "center of gospel learning"

At the end of our discussion class members will be able to:

  • Identify ways that they may share the gospel 
    • Ask for revelation on what you might share
    • Ask for guidance about who you might share your insights with
    • Who might benefit from sharing their insights with you?
  • Via:
    • Informal interactions
    • Group or Family Prayer
    • Joint Scripture/Gospel Reading
    • Designated Come, Follow Me lessons with friends/family
    • Family Home Evening

“The most important of the Lord’s work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes.”

Resources:

  • “Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening.” in the Come, Follow Me Manual
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Week 2: Individual Study

Lesson Outline:

Individual Study

Our Goal is to seek the companionship of the Spirit to enjoy a "Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"


At the end of our discussion class members will be able to:

  • Identify ways that they may learn the gospel at home
    • Prayer and Fasting
    • Reading Scriptures and General Conference Addresses
    • Pondering (Mindfulness)
    • Planning to Share
  • Via:
    • Church Edition of the Scriptures
    • Come, Follow Me Manual
    • Gospel Library Resources
    • Other Resources

Our purpose is to balance the Church and the home experiences in a way that will greatly increase faith and spirituality and deepen conversion
  • Elder Quentin L. Cook: Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
    • "The most important goal and ultimate blessing of deep and lasting conversion is worthily receiving the covenants and ordinances of the covenant pathway."
  • Silent Walks: The Power of Stillness
  • Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Scripture Reading and Revelation, Ensign January 1995
  • Scripture Study—The Power of the Word (Institute Teacher Manual)
    • "We have continuing revelation in our church because the scriptures do not have a specific answer to every possible question. We say that the scriptures contain the answers to every question because the scriptures can lead us to every answer. They, the scriptures will put us in a position where we can obtain inspiration to answer any doctrinal or personal question whether or not that question directly concerns the subject we're studying in the scriptures."
Class Notes/Suggestions from Session 3
  • "I study five seconds a day" - nice rejoinder to boasts in a quorum meeting has been remembered for years afterwards - just getting a little each day and maybe it’ll turn into more. 
  • Context matters - Hugh Nibley articles and other resources give insights into the story behind the scriptures
  • Focus on two to three verses for an "in-depth" study
  • Check core beliefs and make sure they're correct
  • Get into the habit, good way to start each day
  • Chapter a day - don’t try to understand or learn everything. Write down what I’m learning.
  • Use paper scriptures so I don’t get distracted. Leave scriptures open so it helps motivate reading first thing. Helps bring spirit in by keeping scriptures open
  • Intuitive and organic scripture study - let it happen naturally 
  • 😀"I'm so used to taking medication that my first impulse is to swallow this timer...."
  • Ask, seek, knock (ASK) - "No message appears in scripture more times, in more ways than, “Ask, and ye shall receive.”  If what we study doesn’t change us, what’s the point? 
  • Such a good feeling when prioritizing scripture reading - finished the Book of Mormon reading within 3-4 months.
  • 😁"I’m not the one who created law of opposition, I just fulfill it." 
  • I like looking for patterns in the scriptures. Only read a few verses at a time, mark and look back.
  • Very regimented and habit-driven. Trying to be more free flowing, slow down instead of plowing through. See new things.
  • For me, setting a goal to read scriptures turns it into a chore. I try to change that perception to something I want to do.
  • Just trying to keep my kids alive, so I get up a little early to read. But my 5-yo started getting up with me. At first I was mad, but now it’s a beautiful experience. 
  • I can’t sit on the sofa with all the books out, I use the gospel library app, listen through the day.
  • I highlight and add notes to keep spiritual thoughts with little drawings on cards, glue the note into the pages. 
  • Trying to get scriptures to soak in instead of glance off. Temple, scriptures, class - intentionally soak in it
  • Scripture study is about relationship with HG, can happen in a minute or an hour - when I can feel the “magic” happen I can do whatever I need to do. 
  • Tired of falling asleep when studying, so I started reading first thing until I was hungry. 
  • Go through Come, Follow Me lesson and read the scriptures first before podcasts
  • Get on my knees to pray before I begin studying. Use physical scriptures.
  • Letting go of its an “all or nothing”. Put it on my phone while doing chores. Even if my mind wanders I’ll get something.
  • Religion professor did a different method each time he taught the five classes I took. Now I think, “What would be a good question to ask the class?” Even though I’m not teaching.
  • Pray always. I think of those who weren’t allowed to pray, so they prayed in their fields and flocks. Ponder. There’s not enough quiet in the world. Trying to do better to pray and listen.
  • Power of Stillness, Nibley, etc- all can be helpful. Ultimately for us, the scriptures are (can be) our own Urim and Thummim. God knows how we learn best, and it’s individual.

Class Notes/Suggestions from Session 1
  • Gospel study can be focused on helping a child prepare for baptism
  • When Nephi was building the boat the Lord did "show [him] from time to time" - Revelation can come to us in a similar manner, "time to time"
  • A father struggling to manage medicines set an example by asking for help in prayer
  • The different authors/voices in the Scriptures present unique ways of bearing testimony
  • The Spirit speaks to us to know how to apply the Scriptures in unique situations
  • We don't have to endure to the end, we get to endure to the end (e.g  we have the privilege of choosing to endure to the end)
  • Alma 5 is "Alma's test" - committing to his test allows us to endure the test of time
  • Daily scripture study is an invitation to daily repentance "metanoeo"
  • Scripture notes/annotations leave a legacy of faith and dedication to our posterity
  • General Conference addresses are truly Scripture for our day.
  • Revelation changes our approach to life and is the bases for testimony
  • Even "imperfect" daily study will grant us the gift of PEACE 
  • Fasting and prayer can lead us to answers in the scriptures - the fulfillment of the answer may take time
  • The scriptures can be a means for God to communicate to us "Tomorrow come I into the world..."
  • We benefit from a deliberate, mindful approach to study
    • Intention and Action
    • Reading out loud
    • Study & Ponder
  • Trying a new approach may open new understanding "the Inexhaustible [Scriptures]"
  • One can listen and pray (converse) with God while doing mundane daily tasks like driving
  • The word is like a lamp to us - studying amplifies that light
  • Alma (the younger) was converted by the Holy Spirit as a result of much fasting and prayer
  • The answer to prayers about what to do may be revealed by reading the scriptures
  • Alma 37:37 teaches us to Counsel with - or seek the advice of the Lord
  • Can we "sing the song of Redeeming Love"?
  • Journaling or recording the blessings/revelation we receive can lead to more revelation
  • The Scriptures draw us to Christ

Resources:





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Week 1: Connection Before Content

Lesson Outline:

Connection Before Content

Our Goal is to be better connected to God and our fellow sisters and brothers

At the end of our discussion class members will be able to:

  • Identify ways that they can connect to
    • God
    • Scriptures 
    • Each other
  • Via:
    • Icebreakers
      • Fun, non-threatening, highly interactive, simple, success-oriented
    • Kolb Cycle
      • What?
      • So what?
      • Now what?
    • Core & Balance

Conversion is Our Goal
  • " The ideal place to learn the gospel is the home. Your teachers at church can support you, and you can get encouragement from other ward members. But to survive spiritually, you and your family need daily nourishment from “the good word of God”...

    Use this resource in any way that is helpful to you. The outlines highlight some eternal truths found in the Book of Mormon and suggest ideas and activities to help you study the scriptures individually, with your family, or with friends. As you study, follow the Spirit’s guidance to find eternal truths that are meaningful to you. Look for God’s messages for you, and follow the promptings you receive.

  • Pres. Nelson Opening Remarks October 2018: "It is time for a home-centered Church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings."
  • Preserving the Voice of the Covenant People in the Rising Generation

Resources:









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Session Outline

 Session Outline:

"The aim of all gospel learning and teaching is to deepen our conversion and help us become more like Jesus Christ."

  • Week 1: Connection Before Content
  • Week 2: Individual Study
  • Week 3: Family Study
  • Weeks 4-6: Practicum

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