Prepare needed materials and equipment. Teachers should arrive at their classroom before the students to prepare any necessary materials and equipment. This provides opportunity for the teacher to greet each student as they arrive. Students should strive to be on time to class and have all appropriate learning materials—such as scriptures, marking pencil, and journal—at their desks when class begins. Avoid wasting time. As class begins on time and when students perceive that there is not time to waste, they will feel a sense of purpose.
Establish class routines. Establishing routines for often-repeated class activities brings a sense of order and purpose. Class routines encourage participation from each student and help teachers and students to be more efficient with the use of precious class time. Routines can be established for activities such as retrieving and putting away scriptures and learning materials, organizing and providing uplifting devotionals, and distributing and collecting papers and materials.
Making announcements, recording student attendance, checking on assignments, and conducting other business are best done before beginning the devotional and the lesson. In addition to love, respect, and purpose, an ideal gospel learning setting also consists of order, reverence, and a feeling of peace.
Following are some additional suggestions teachers can use to establish and maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to gospel learning. The physical surroundings can have an impact on what students experience in gospel learning. Teachers should do all they can to prepare the classroom so that students feel comfortable and are able to focus on the lesson. Some considerations might include:. Except for very unusual circumstances, every student should have a comfortable place to sit, a place for their scriptures and study materials, and a place to write.
The seating arrangement should allow students to easily see the teacher and any visual resources the teacher uses. Where possible, different seating arrangements can be used to support different kinds of learning activities.
Having assigned seating can help teachers learn the names of students quickly, organize the class for small group work or scripture mastery exercises, and separate students who tend to talk with each other during class.
Teachers should be sensitive to students who may have mobility or visual impairments by making accommodations that encourage their participation in class. Teachers should try to eliminate any distractions that could interrupt the teaching and learning process. If teaching takes place in a home, there may be some particular challenges, but even in that setting a teacher can minimize interruptions with careful planning. Classroom appearance. Gospel-related pictures, illustrations, posters, and other displays can often enhance the learning setting.
A classroom that is neat, clean, and orderly also encourages reverence and fosters an environment conducive to the influence of the Spirit.
Teacher appearance. Class should begin with a brief devotional. A devotional can be an excellent way to unite students by turning their thoughts and their hearts to spiritual things. It can help teachers and students feel the Spirit and be ready to learn. A devotional generally consists of a hymn, a prayer, and a thought from the scriptures. It is most effective when students share feelings and insights they have had in their personal scripture study and when they bear testimony.
Long or elaborate devotionals not only take time away from the lesson, but may actually cause the Spirit to withdraw. Devotionals that include the serving of refreshments will almost certainly promote a light and playful mood rather than a spiritual one. Teachers should take time to talk with students, especially class leaders, about the purpose of devotionals, what they can do to make them better, and how they can encourage everyone to participate.
These discussions could focus on behaviors that invite the Spirit of the Lord to be with them in gospel learning as well as on behaviors that cause the Spirit to withdraw. Teachers and students should encourage each other on an ongoing basis to apply the things they agreed would invite the Spirit. Such efforts can help both students and teachers understand and fulfill the role they play in inviting the Spirit into the learning process.
Teachers should be aware that different learning activities encourage different moods and attitudes in the students. For example, after leading a boisterous instructional game at the beginning of his class, one teacher was frustrated when he could not achieve a more spiritual conclusion to the lesson.
Another teacher found her discipline problems escalated when she gave out refreshments during class. Teachers should be aware of what is occurring during the lesson and respond in an appropriate manner. If students seem bored or restless, it may be because they are not involved or they do not understand what is being taught or how the lesson applies to them.
To help the students focus, the teacher may need to change something in the lesson presentation. If students are acting in improper ways and causing the Spirit to withdraw from class, the teacher needs to seek inspiration in dealing with the problem rather than ignoring it.
Teachers should also watch for students who do not interact with other students or who seem to be lonely. These students may need some additional personal attention from the teacher or from other students in the class. In such cases, teachers may talk to parents and priesthood leaders to determine if there are underlying causes or conditions that they should be aware of. There are some general principles to keep in mind that will help a teacher invite proper order and respect in the classroom.
To have order does not always mean having complete silence; nor does it mean that a class cannot be enjoyable and fun. But a disorderly or irreverent student or group of students can have a negative impact on the learning process and hinder the influence of the Holy Ghost.
When a student or a group of students is misbehaving, it can be frustrating for the teacher and other students. At such times, it is especially important for teachers to keep control of their emotions and to seek the influence of the Spirit.
How teachers respond to any given incident may be more important than the incident itself and can either increase or decrease the respect and trust of the students. As teachers correct improper behavior, they need to be firm but friendly, fair, and caring and then quickly return to the lesson.
It may also result in other students fearing or distrusting the teacher. There are some specific steps teachers can take to handle problems as they occur. These are possible approaches to discipline problems that may not work the same way with every student or situation:. Make eye contact. Often students talk to each other at inappropriate times because they think the teacher will not notice.
The teacher could look at the students and briefly make eye contact so they know the teacher is aware of what is happening. Stop talking. If students are talking when they should be listening, the teacher could stop talking, even in midsentence if necessary. Raising the voice to talk over them will not generally solve the problem.
Move closer. Another action teachers can take to correct behavior without having to directly confront a student is to move and stand beside the misbehaving student. Direct a question. Without calling attention to the inappropriate behavior, a teacher can ask the offending student a question related to the lesson. This is not done to embarrass the student, but to help bring him or her back into the discussion. There may be times when students do not respond to these less direct efforts and continue to disrupt the class.
Following are some additional, more direct steps a teacher can take to maintain order:. Consult with the student privately. The teacher could counsel with the student about why he or she is misbehaving and let him or her know that the behavior must change or additional steps will be taken. They should communicate to the student that while the poor behavior is unacceptable, he or she is valued. Consult with parents or priesthood leaders.
Frequently parents can provide additional insights and ideas that will help correct the concern. Dismiss the student from class. President David O. Any teacher can dismiss a [student]; you should exhaust all your other sources before you come to that.
But order we must have! Before asking a student to leave class for any extended period of time, the teacher should counsel with the parents, seminary and institute supervisors, and appropriate priesthood leaders. In such circumstances it is important that the teacher help the students and the parents understand that the student is choosing to leave seminary by not choosing to behave in an acceptable manner.
It is the disruption that is unacceptable, not the student. When he or she chooses otherwise, the student will be welcome to return to class. Daily personal scripture study provides a consistent opportunity for teachers and students to learn the gospel, develop testimony, and hear the voice of the Lord. Latter-day prophets have stressed the importance of studying the scriptures every day. President Harold B.
Lee [], Elder Howard W. Elder Richard G. Help ignite within each youth that flame of unquenchable fire that motivates those who have felt it with a desire to know evermore of the word of the Lord, to understand his teachings, to apply them, and to share them with others.
Help them feel your enthusiasm, respect, and love for the scriptures. There are few things teachers can do that will have a more powerful and long-lasting influence for good in the lives of their students than helping them learn to love the scriptures and to study them on a daily basis. This often begins as teachers set an example of daily scripture study in their own lives. Engaging in meaningful, personal scripture study every day qualifies teachers to offer personal testimony to their students of the value of the scriptures in their own lives.
Such testimony can be an important catalyst in helping students commit to studying the scriptures regularly on their own. Teachers should consistently teach students the doctrines and principles behind daily personal scripture study. Teachers can also encourage each student to set aside time every day for personal scripture study; help students be accountable for their daily study by using an appropriate tracking system that measures their performance; and give students regular opportunities in class to share with each other some of the things they are learning and feeling in their personal scripture study.
As teachers encourage daily scripture study, they should be careful to not embarrass or discourage any students who may struggle to study the scriptures on their own. Students with reading or other learning disabilities should be given the option to study the scriptures in a format that may be better suited for their needs, such as audio, American Sign Language, or Braille.
Many students who have difficulty reading benefit from following along on the printed page while someone else is reading aloud. To help students be successful in their personal study of the scriptures, teachers can assist them in developing and utilizing a variety of scripture-study skills and methods. All of the following skills and methods, as well as others not addressed in this handbook, should be directed at helping students to learn by the Spirit, understand the scriptures, and discover and apply gospel doctrines and principles in their lives.
Use scripture study aids. The Church has prepared an extensive set of scripture study aids and included them in the standard works for some languages. The Guide to the Scriptures is a group of study aids that has been prepared for other languages.
These aids include such things as footnotes, chapter headings, topical indexes, the Bible Dictionary, and maps. They are some of the most valuable helps teachers and students can use as they study the scriptures. Teachers can help their students become familiar with these study aids and resources by using them appropriately during class.
The Church has also made other helpful study resources available online. Mark and annotate. One of the most helpful ways for teachers and students to capture and retain the things they learn is by marking and annotating the scriptures.
To mark means to designate, distinguish, set apart, or bring attention to. This can be done by underlining, shading, or outlining key words or passages in the scriptures. To annotate means to add explanatory notes or commentary. Examples of scriptural annotations could include writing personal impressions, prophetic commentary, cross-references, word definitions, or insights gained from the comments of class members in the margins next to specific scripture passages.
Make important words, phrases, ideas, truths, people, and events easier to remember and find. You may want to write this in the margin of your scriptures. Pondering means to meditate or think deeply about something, and often includes prayer. As students learn to ponder during their personal scripture study, the Spirit will often reveal truth to them and help them know how they can become more like Jesus Christ.
One way to help students participate spiritually in the lesson and to encourage them to apply and deepen their understanding of what they are learning is to give them time in class to meditate about what they have learned. At such times, teachers should encourage students to ask for help from the Lord.
Ask questions. Learning to ask questions and seek for answers as they study the scriptures is one of the most important scripture-study skills students can develop. By asking questions, students can be led to a better understanding of the context and content of the scriptures, as well as to the discovery and understanding of important doctrines and principles of the gospel.
Students can learn to ask questions that will lead them to feel the truth and importance of what they are studying and to know how to apply what they are learning. Define difficult words and phrases.
Dictionaries, student manuals, footnotes, and scripture study helps can often help students understand difficult words or phrases. Visualizing occurs as students picture in their minds what is taking place in the scriptural account. For example, students could imagine Peter walking on the water toward the Savior see Matthew —29 , or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego being cast into the fiery furnace see Daniel — Visualizing can help make a scriptural account more vivid and real for the students.
Liken scriptures. They can also see how these principles can be applied in similar situations in their own lives. A cross-reference is an additional scripture reference that can provide added information and insight on the passage being studied.
Helpful cross-references can be found in the footnotes and other study aids, teacher and student manuals, and general conference talks.
Teachers and students can also discover relevant cross-references in their own study. Compare and contrast. A passage of scripture or a doctrine or principle is often clarified when it is compared or contrasted with something else.
Noting the similarities or differences between teachings, people, or events can bring gospel truths into sharper focus. For example, contrasting the reign of King Benjamin with that of King Noah allows students to see very clearly the blessing of a righteous leader versus the destructive results of a wicked one.
Comparing the lives, teachings, and testimonies of Jacob and Alma with the philosophies and lives of Sherem and Korihor can help students more easily recognize false philosophies in the world today and see how to combat them. Comparing and contrasting the various journeys to lands of promise made by the children of Israel, Lehi and his family, and the Jaredites can teach principles that help teachers and students in their own journeys through life. Make lists.
A list is a series of related thoughts, ideas, or instructions. Looking for lists in the scriptures can help teachers and students identify key points the writer is emphasizing.
For example, the Ten Commandments are a list see Exodus The Beatitudes can be seen as a list see Matthew —12 ; 3 Nephi — Doctrine and Covenants 4 contains a list of the qualifications of those who are called to serve the Lord. Look for connections, patterns, and themes. Students can be encouraged to look for connections, patterns, and themes as they study the scriptures.
Elder David A. Teachers and students will generally use many of these skills and methods in class during the year. As they do so, teachers may occasionally pause and briefly discuss with their students the method or skill being used and encourage them to use it in their personal study.
All of the standard works—the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price—are inspired writings that contain doctrines and principles of the gospel. They illustrate the workings of God with man and teach about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
They are important individually, and collectively they give a greater understanding of the gospel and the plan of salvation prepared by our Father in Heaven. Students and teachers should read and study the entire book of scripture that corresponds with each course of study with the exception of selected portions of the Old Testament, as noted in the curriculum. Understanding the context and content of the scriptures and the words of the prophets prepares teachers and students to recognize the messages of the inspired authors.
The context and content clarifies and illustrates gospel doctrines and principles recorded in the experiences and teachings of others. Although much of what follows addresses understanding the context and content of the scriptures specifically, most of the same principles and ideas can be applied to a study of the words and messages of latter-day prophets.
Context is 1 the passages of scripture that precede or follow a verse or series of verses or 2 the circumstances that surround or give background to a particular scriptural passage, event, or story.
The context is a means to understand the content of the scriptures. It provides background information that clarifies and brings a depth of understanding to the stories, teachings, doctrines, and principles in the scriptural text. Each scripture writer wrote as he was directed by the Holy Ghost, yet the writings were clothed in the imagery and culture of the writer. Following are some examples of different types of context. Historical setting. Recognizing that Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail during the receiving and writing of sections , , and of the Doctrine and Covenants gives added depth and power to the doctrines and principles taught in those sections concerning such things as adversity and the use of power and authority.
Cultural setting. Knowing the background of the feast days and holidays of ancient Israel can clarify how they relate symbolically to the Savior and His mission. The question or situation that prompted the parable, event, doctrine, or principle. Who is speaking to whom and why. Geographic setting. Knowing the geography of Canaan deepens our understanding of where Lot and Abraham settled, how it influenced choices they made, and how these choices affected their families.
The scriptures, the study aids provided in the scriptures, and the curriculum generally contain sufficient contextual information to assist teachers and students in understanding the scriptural content. The content is the story line, people, events, sermons, and inspired explanations that make up the scriptural text. The content of the scriptures gives life and relevance to the doctrines and principles that are found in the scripture block.
For example, the story of Nephi obtaining the brass plates teaches the principle that faith in the Lord and listening to the Spirit can help individuals overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges. Coming to know the people described in the scriptures can inspire and encourage students to meet the challenges they face and to live with faith. As Elder Richard G. Scott promised of the Book of Mormon:.
They will rekindle courage and mark the path to faith and obedience. The sermons that have so carefully been preserved in the holy scriptures are another very important part of the content. For a student who is struggling with sin, the sermons of Paul or Alma the Younger can be sources of hope and encouragement. A student who is striving to be a disciple of Jesus Christ can gain insight by studying and seeking to apply the words of the Savior in the Sermon on the Mount. Part of understanding the content is learning the meaning of difficult words and phrases, as well as the interpretation of parables, symbols, and so on.
Principles taught in the parables of the Savior become more easily understood when the symbolic meaning of such things as the pearl of great price see Matthew —46 , the wheat and the tares see Matthew —30 , and the lost sheep see Luke —7 is identified.
With all the information that could be learned and taught, teachers should use wisdom in determining how much actual time is devoted to context and content and how much time to spend studying the doctrines and principles of the gospel. Teachers should provide sufficient context and content to help students understand the eternal truths found in the scriptural text, but not overemphasize such background and details to the degree that they become the core of the lesson.
Identifying and understanding gospel doctrines and principles helps teachers and students apply the scriptures and words of the prophets to their own lives and guides them in making decisions.
Feeling the truthfulness, importance, and urgency of gospel doctrines and principles often leads to an increased desire to apply what is learned. Applying gospel principles brings promised blessings, deepens understanding and conversion, and helps teachers and students become more like the Savior. A doctrine is a fundamental, unchanging truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such truths as Heavenly Father has a body of flesh and bones, baptism is necessary to enter the kingdom of God, and all men will be resurrected are examples of doctrines.
A principle is an enduring truth or rule individuals can adopt to guide them in making decisions. Gospel principles are universal and help people apply the doctrines of the gospel to everyday living. This means that a gospel principle usually suggests action as well as the consequences that follow.
At times the distinction between a doctrine and a principle can be difficult to discern. One of the central purposes of scripture is to teach doctrines and principles of the gospel.
President Marion G. Learning how to identify gospel doctrines and principles found in the scriptures takes thoughtful effort and practice. Speaking of this effort, Elder Richard G. Sometimes in class, doctrines and principles will be pointed out by the teacher. Other times the teacher will guide, encourage, and allow students to discover them for themselves.
Teachers should diligently help students acquire the ability to identify doctrines and principles on their own. Some gospel doctrines and principles are easier to identify because they are stated overtly.
He exposes the deceptions and the heresies that are saturating the Christian world today. The Christian world is flooded with doctrines that claim to stem from the Gospel of Jesus, yet they are in conflict — either obviously or subtly — with Truth of God's Word.
The message in this series is simple and yet absolute: it is the fundamental truth of the REAL Gospel taught in a down-to-earth fashion that is easy to relate to and comprehend.
While this series is designed to enlighten the Christian with biblical truth, it firmly confronts several of the false "gospels" as well. Also known as "wolves in sheep's clothing," heretics are exposed as the message of the REAL Gospel is revealed.
The information gleaned from such intensive study is accurately relayed in this series to enable the listener to gain a fuller meaning of the original scriptures while in their proper historical setting. The cultural background of this time period has been thoroughly investigated and examined as well as the historical premise of the many English Bible translations that are available today. Though this series is "chock full" of meaty scriptural teaching and historical facts, many of them are relayed in such a simple way that even a child could comprehend them.
The Fundamentals of the Real Gospel explains the Gospel that Jesus gave to His apostles and exposes the heretics who are on the prowl to steal this vital truth from Christians. It teaches how Christians can discern the truth from the lies of the false teaching. Consequently, this series offers a refreshing alternative to an allegedly Christian market of "Bible teachings" that focus merely on what people can gain materially from God; on how Christians can improve their self-worth; and how Christians can gain power and fame in this world.
As this series circulates you can expect the Internet to be flooded with these MP3's because people are tired of being "sold" religious fables by people who only want their money. They are now searching for the truth and this series is like none other before it.
And it's not only taught with enthusiasm and excitement, but also with a touch of humor. However, you may freely redistribute this series for non-commercial purposes under this Creative Commons 3. Also, this series cannot be edited or altered in any way. All other rights are reserved as well. Please allow us to freely give it to you. Therefore, the cost of The Fundamentals of the Real Gospel is free.
These MP3's are available without charge to anyone and everyone who wants to have them. Simply download them, listen to them, and then share this series with your family and friends.
You can even make CD's of this series and pass the message around. It is the real Gospel, simple and true. And it is FREE! So The Fundamentals of the Real Gospel is a message you simply cannot afford to miss. Vermillion has been an ordained Christian minister for over two decades and is a dynamic speaker and award-winning author. He has been featured on multiple television and radio broadcasts around the world. Nevertheless, his eternity-focused goal is simply to please his Lord Jesus Christ by winning souls and serving God's people, through accurate ministry of God's Word.
On the Macintosh, either right click the link if you have a mouse that permits that or hold the button down while the mouse is over the link. It will take a while to download, depending upon your connection speed. Your computer may then warn you that this is a file from the Internet, and ask you if you really want to open it.
This file is VERY safe to open. Inside that new folder you will be able to see all the individual MP3 session files eight in total, numbered from 1 to 7B. Simply double-click on session 1, and it should begin playing within your default media player on your computer.
If you would prefer to download each file one at a time perhaps because of a slower Internet connection speed , then see below for all the individual files listed. A downloadable cover graphic file is also included below under "image file" for those who would like to promote this series upon their own websites, blogs, or on social media sites such as Facebook. It is redistributable under the same Creative Commons 3.
FTP downloads, Torrent, etc. Click on the "About" tab at the very top of this page, and then click on "FAQs" when the resulting new submenu appears underneath. How can you distinguish it from the counterfeit gospels being preached today? He lays a solid foundaion from both history and Scripture and teaches from an open heart, often baring his own heart before us.
I laughed with Rich, I cried with him, and I shouted Hallelujah many times as I listened to this awesome series. It is equally valuable to new believers as it is to seasoned, mature ones. And unlike so many "teachers" out there, Rich is not making merchandise of the Body of Christ because he gives it away at no charge.
Hearty recommendation!! Reviewer: YasmeenS - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 24, Subject: Sound Doctrine I appreciate you teaching the body of Christ the fundamentals of sound doctrine! This is so much needed in the church today with the deception that Jesus warns will be in the last days. Thanks Rich for all of your hard work and teaching!
I continue to learn from you as always I would highly recommend this riveting series. It is not only well researched but is presented in an interesting manner by an obviously gifted communicator. It is a doctrinally sound and cohesive message that will hold your interest while presenting you with the core fundamentals of the true, unadulterated, BIBLICAL Gospel.
In this post modern church age which has so twisted and misrepresented the true Gosepl, I find that a series such as this is a gem worth holding on to.
I can only hope that there will be more to follow. Reviewer: VivK - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 11, Subject: Very informative and enjoyable I have to say this is the most comprehensive and enjoyable series I've ever heard on the subject of the gospel. It is obvious that Rich has thoroughly studied and researched this topic, both throughout the Bible itself, but also using other very scripturally reliable resources.
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