Talking in Class

I wasn't feeling well this morning, so Steelblaidd taught my Gospel Doctrine class for me. He was also the only member of the Elder's Quorum Presidency today, so he was pulling double duty. He really is a fantastic husband. I was really disappointed that I couldn't teach today, since I felt that I was more prepared than usual. Today's lesson was about the Apostle Simon Peter's revelation concerning preaching to the Gentiles as well as the Jews, also the replacing of Mosiac Law with Christ's gospel. It is a very interesting lesson that delves deep into the early missionary efforts and cultural differences of the day.

Steelblaidd said that the class went well with a good discussion. My model for a good Gospel Doctrine class has always been one where the class spends more time discussing the topic than the teacher spends speaking. It's much easier to learn when one explains one's understanding to others. Enticing the class to discuss the lesson has always been difficult for me, and the class usually just stares at me blankly when I ask questions. I suppose I'm just not as practiced as a teacher, especially since I am uncomfortable speaking in front of any group of any size. However, I believe church callings to be assignments issued from God, I will do my best, regardless of how terrified I may be or how much I may blunder my way through the work. I have a strong testimony that Heavenly Father will not give us any task that we are not capable of doing, and that all trials are given for our greater good, even church callings.

As I was sitting at home during church today, I read a bit of the Book of Mormon. Yesterday I realized that next year's Gospel Doctrine curriculum will be covering the Book of Mormon, so I had best become more familiar with the stories and doctrine found in it. I am a convert, so it's just not as familiar to me as it will be to my class. I thought that I had a firm understanding of the New Testament, but there is almost always at least one question asked that I haven't any answer for. Usually I just confess my ignorance and leave the question open for another class member to answer.

Reading the scriptures is a task that doesn't come naturally to me. I tend to get impatient with the language and mired in the details of things that I don't understand right away. I also tend to over prepare with finding attendant manuals and colored pencils to the point that I have little time left to read! I envy those that can just curl up with the scriptures anywhere and stick to their reading routine every day. Perhaps this is another reason why I have been given this calling of Gospel Doctrine teacher, to help me read the scriptures more effectively as well as become a more confident teacher.

Funny how all through childhood and much of college we are trained not to talk in class, but listen quietly to the "entertainment" provided by the teacher. Now I would rejoice to have any even mildly topic related comments from my "audience."