Teaching Gospel Lessons

These lesson outlines are prepared with this idea in mind: to help students articulate the principles of the Gospel and become independent witnesses of Jesus Christ.

With each reading assignment they should be asked to do the following:

1. Summarize in their own words the ideas taught in the reading assignment.

2. Substitute the appropriate proper names for any pronouns that appear in the readings.

3. Explain how they can apply the principles they have discovered to their own lives.

In these lessons students will be taught to pay attention to certain words as they read the scriptures:

Behold
(This word almost always suggests this idea – Pay Attention!)

Wherefore/Therefore
(These words invite you to summarize the principle you have read in previous sentences.)

Archaic Words and Phrases
(Words that have no meaning in modern English, or words whose meanings have changed over time. For example: whit, in Alma 34:14; yea, in Alma 34:14; for this end, in 2 Nephi 11:4.)

Seldom Used Words and Phrases
(Words that make sense but the actual meaning might not be clear because the expression is not used very often. For example: come unto the God of Abraham, 1 Nephi 6:4; typifying, 2 Nephi 11:4.)

Appropriate Noun/Pronoun Substitutions
(This requires the student to pay attention to the context of the verse. When students read the scriptures have them say the appropriate substituted word or phrase.)

This style of reading should be emphasized with each lesson.