What are the Fundamentals?

Thanks to a discussion with another teacher I've learned some wonderful things in the past week. On page 4 of our Teacher Manual there was a paragraph that really made an impact on me in my studies this week. Taking it apart and trying to understand its message has been pretty fun actually. One part that caught my eye was, "Eight fundamental principles found throughout Preach My Gospel have been selected as the principles that will help missionaries improve their teaching." Due to a slight increase of understanding in doctrines, principles, and applications this caught my attention. A principle is a guideline stemming from the doctrine. A question I'm studying and pondering because of this is what is the relating doctrines?

These guidelines are in place to help improve teaching SO that conversion can take place, not just so the missionaries can get a gold star from their teachers. They are what help to accomplish part of the MTC purpose to "understand and apply their purpose". Understanding only comes when we are allowing the spirit into our hearts to testify as we act in faith according to the knowledge we have. By learning these fundamentals they can understand their purpose. Helping them to understand where these fundamentals are meant to guide them may help them in their journey with them as well!

The last sentence of the paragraph also brought some added light to my study. "The following eight lessons create a framework to learn the other principles in Preach My Gospel." After spending quite a bit of time looking at what a framework is I've come to appreciate this a little more.

 ( "A curriculum framework is an organized plan or set of standards or learning outcomes that defines the content to be learned in terms of clear, definable standards of what the student should know and be able to do.
The framework is the first step, defining clear, high standards which will be achieved by all students. The curriculum is then aligned to the standards, and students are assessed against the standards. As compared with traditional education which is concerned only about delivering content, a standards based education reform system promises that all will succeed if all are held to high expectations." )

This framework if built and used properly will enable the missionaries to understand all the other principles in PMG. Principles from chapter 6 about being Christlike, Ch. 4 about Recognizing the spirit, Ch. 8 about using time effectively, etc. All of these can be understood when we are applying the fundamentals in our own life. These fundamentals are the guidelines to gaining knowledge, acting in faith, and then experiencing the power of the spirit. This is truly one of the essential things to gain in the MTC for our missionaries. They may not know everything we think they could, but if they can gain this understanding of the fundamentals they will have every tool necessary to understand and apply all the aspects of PMG as they continue to progress throughout their mission and their life!

Observing Doctrine is Beautiful!

I watched a great lesson the other day. I do not even recall the fundamental being taught, but I remember the feeling. I remember thinking to myself, "This is a swing of the pendulum, and a great one at that. I have watched this teach progress so much in such a short amount of time. True doctrine is being understood. It's the only explanation." I just remember a huge swing from application to doctrine and principles, or getting at the truth behind the fundamental. I feel that every application we perform is an application of truth (doctrine). So of course we should not neglect the applications because they give us access to the unalterable and timeless truths of the gospel! We just need to recognize that applications are a means to an end, and teach with the end in mind and heart. I feel that the end is an understanding of doctrine-of truth. To understand doctrine is to understand who we are and that our potential is established, concrete, and unshakable. We just have to live up to that already existent truth!

How to Begin Teaching and Follow Up

With my newest district, I decided to try an experiment of using follow up more powerfully in my How To Begin Teaching as I commence class. As I have prayerfully prepared invitations and questions to follow up with the missionaries, I have noticed some changes.

First, the missionaries teach differently. They focus on the investigator and don't just rush into a prayer at the beginning of a lesson. Secondly, they learn a lot more about the investigator in the first few minutes and really establish love. Thirdly, I learn FAR more of their needs and concerns as I follow up with them and then I am able to address the needs and concerns throughout the entire day.

At first, this tended to take all of my Flex time, but I decided to, before class, write the questions on the board, have them mentally answer each, and then pick one if they were called on, to share an answer to.

We have had powerful experiences as we have acknowledged our growth together, and it has also been so helpful for myself and my companion teacher to know more directly the needs and concerns of the missionaries.