May 27- Teaching in the Savior's way

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Holy Cow! I don't have much time, but It has been a super good week. We are hitting our stride!

Elder Burrows and I have really been focusing on the way we teach people. We have been trying to avoid basic canned lessons and really teach to their needs. I would say I have learned 2 things about teaching in the Savior's way from taking D&C 84:85 to heart:

85 Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.

1. Neither take ye thought beforehand 
At times in my mission I have gone into a teaching appointment saying that we were just going to "Wing It", but that is not teaching the spirit. The Difference is actively striving for the spirit to guide the lesson. When we wing it, we don't take in mind the other key parts of this scripture. I believe a large part of trusting in the spirit while teaching is to just listen. After reading the "Listening" section in PMG, I made it my goal to actively listen more. I have tried not to think about what I will say next or where my companion is going, but just listening to the person being taught. They will tell us their needs without realizing it. I struggled at first staying focused, but soon found that I was saying and teaching in ways I never have. 

2. Treasure up the words in your minds
Elder Burrows and I have really tried to focus our discussions, whether it be in the car or during our studies, we have been trying to devote as much of our time to focusing on the needs of those we teach. Often w come up with a plan for a lesson that we think the people we teach need, knowing that we could scrap it at anytime. I remember at the very beginning of my mission being very anxious about knowing exactly what point to teach, but now we both have full trust in each other lead and guide our lessons. Treasuring up the words of life to me means to just show God that we care about the people we teach, even if they are members. When God sees that we care, he is willing to give us the spirit to guide the discussion.

We truly are ordained to preach the gospel by the spirit. Without the spirit we are hopeless. I have learned in a small part how to teach others by the spirit the way Jesus did. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel that God has helped me understand in a greater way how to teach. This week has been amazing!

D&C 50
13 Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?
14 To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth.

Stay Fresh

Love,
Elder Judd

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