dahlia

You misunderstood completely.  I asked about Spirit-led teaching because I read the article and wondered what others thought about this approach. I mistakenly thought this was a place to talk about LDS news. Silly me.
 
I said that many lessons were repetitive or only hitting the surface, or it appeared that no prep had been done. Sorry, you can tell it a mile off. It's especially apparent when the person comes right out and says, "I just looked at the lesson this morning."
 
I mentioned a good Sunday School teacher that I have, who is 'good' because it appears that he actually preps for class. We had another teacher who was even better, but who moved from the area. My Gospel Principles teacher was fantastic and kept me coming to church as an investigator on Sundays when I really didn't want to, because I didn't want to miss one of his lessons. We have had Sacrament speakers, regular people from the ward, who were fantastic and who were obviously influenced by the Spirit.
 
I learned from answers here that spirit-led teaching isn't entirely new, good to know. How would I know that as a somewhat new convert who is still learning? Plus, I would hope all teaching would be led by the Spirit.
 
I have found in life that some people can't stand that you have more education or experience than they do. They look for opportunities to say 'just because you have X, doesn't make you whatever.'  Yes, I have a PhD and a law degree. I see the world a certain way. My approach teaching and the human experience as we discuss it in RS is influenced by my education and life experience.  Don't like it? Tough.

You misunderstood completely.  I asked about Spirit-led teaching because I read the article and wondered what others thought about this approach. I mistakenly thought this was a place to talk about LDS news. Silly me.
 
I said that many lessons were repetitive or only hitting the surface, or it appeared that no prep had been done. Sorry, you can tell it a mile off. It's especially apparent when the person comes right out and says, "I just looked at the lesson this morning."
 
I mentioned a good Sunday School teacher that I have, who is 'good' because it appears that he actually preps for class. We had another teacher who was even better, but who moved from the area. My Gospel Principles teacher was fantastic and kept me coming to church as an investigator on Sundays when I really didn't want to, because I didn't want to miss one of his lessons. We have had Sacrament speakers, regular people from the ward, who were fantastic and who were obviously influenced by the Spirit.
 
I learned from answers here that spirit-led teaching isn't entirely new, good to know. How would I know that as a somewhat new convert who is still learning? Plus, I would hope all teaching would be led by the Spirit.
 
I have found in life that some people can't stand that you have more education or experience than they do. They look for opportunities to say 'just because you have X, doesn't make you whatever.'  Yes, I have a PhD and a law degree. I see the world a certain way. My approach teaching and the human experience as we discuss it in RS is influenced by my education and life experience.  Don't like it? Tough.

You misunderstood completely.  I asked about Spirit-led teaching because I read the article and wondered what others thought about this approach. I mistakenly thought this was a place to talk about LDS news. Silly me.
 
I said that many lessons were repetitive or only hitting the surface, or it appeared that no prep had been done. Sorry, you can tell it a mile off. It's especially apparent when the person comes right out and says, "I just looked at the lesson this morning."
 
I mentioned a good Sunday School teacher that I have, who is 'good' because it appears that he actually preps for class. We had another teacher who was even better, but who moved from the area. My Gospel Principles teacher was fantastic and kept me coming to church as an investigator on Sundays when I really didn't want to, because I didn't want to miss one of his lessons. We have had Sacrament speakers, regular people from the ward, who were fantastic and who were obviously influenced by the Spirit.
 
I learned from answers here that spirit-led teaching isn't entirely new, good to know. How would I know that as a somewhat new convert who is still learning? Plus, I would hope all teaching would be led by the Spirit.
 
I have found in life that some people can't stand that you have more education or experience than they do. They look for opportunities to say 'just because you have X, doesn't make you whatever.'  Yes, I have a PhD and a law degree. I see the world a certain way. My approach teaching and the human experience as we discuss it in RS is influenced by my education and life experience.  Don't like it? Tough.

Vort - Alas, many of the women in my RS are too familiar with abuse in its many forms. Some grew up in abusive families, some have sisters in abusive relationships. I hope that none of the women in my RS have that issue (I certainly wouldn't expect them to reveal it to the whole RS), but they certainly have stories to share and have frequently tried to help people in abusive situations.  So, they are no strangers to situations in which they might find it difficult to forgive.
 
I have heard some sad stories in RS on a variety of life experiences. This may be a terrible thing to say, but hearing these stories helped me, as a convert, realize that LDS women and families were not perfect, nor were they spared life's sadness. You have to admit, the Church has some pretty good PR.  I thought y'all were perfect.

Vort - Alas, many of the women in my RS are too familiar with abuse in its many forms. Some grew up in abusive families, some have sisters in abusive relationships. I hope that none of the women in my RS have that issue (I certainly wouldn't expect them to reveal it to the whole RS), but they certainly have stories to share and have frequently tried to help people in abusive situations.  So, they are no strangers to situations in which they might find it difficult to forgive.
 
I have heard some sad stories in RS on a variety of life experiences. This may be a terrible thing to say, but hearing these stories helped me, as a convert, realize that LDS women and families were not perfect, nor were they spared life's sadness. You have to admit, the Church has some pretty good PR.  I thought y'all were perfect.

Dahilia, can you come teach my ward?

I don't know all the answers. I've read the Book of Mormon about 1.5 times. I listen to more LDS music and read more about Church history and Joseph Smith than I do the BOM. I can't cite chapter and verse of the Bible the way some people at church can.
 
What I do during many of my lessons is turn it around to the class - 'You tell me about ...' 'I think this means X, but are there other interpretations I'm not aware of?'  'Tell me about some people from the BOM who embody this characteristic.'  That way, there is discussion, and they have to think about what they know and how to tell it to someone who doesn't know a lot (tell it to me like I'm a 10 yr old). 
 
We have a number of recent and not so recent converts, so while I phrase my questions in terms of 'tell me,' info is also getting out to the other converts in RS. I also bring in quotes from other religions if relevant (I'm often  surprised at how little many of the sisters know about other religions) and have talked about civil rights/ethics/religion issues. I didn't mean to go there, but, for example, how do you talk about forgiveness without talking about MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail and discussing how long you 'turn the other check' and when is it appropriate to move on and take action? I'm pretty sure they didn't expect that, but we wound up having a good discussion of women and abuse and 'taking it.' I can tell you now that the lessons from the born Mormons don't get anywhere near topics like this.
 
Some of the lessons 'write themselves,' some make me sit and think and ask you guys stuff and scour the internet to help me understand. It isn't always easy, but I think it's worth the struggle.

I don't know all the answers. I've read the Book of Mormon about 1.5 times. I listen to more LDS music and read more about Church history and Joseph Smith than I do the BOM. I can't cite chapter and verse of the Bible the way some people at church can.
 
What I do during many of my lessons is turn it around to the class - 'You tell me about ...' 'I think this means X, but are there other interpretations I'm not aware of?'  'Tell me about some people from the BOM who embody this characteristic.'  That way, there is discussion, and they have to think about what they know and how to tell it to someone who doesn't know a lot (tell it to me like I'm a 10 yr old). 
 
We have a number of recent and not so recent converts, so while I phrase my questions in terms of 'tell me,' info is also getting out to the other converts in RS. I also bring in quotes from other religions if relevant (I'm often  surprised at how little many of the sisters know about other religions) and have talked about civil rights/ethics/religion issues. I didn't mean to go there, but, for example, how do you talk about forgiveness without talking about MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail and discussing how long you 'turn the other check' and when is it appropriate to move on and take action? I'm pretty sure they didn't expect that, but we wound up having a good discussion of women and abuse and 'taking it.' I can tell you now that the lessons from the born Mormons don't get anywhere near topics like this.
 
Some of the lessons 'write themselves,' some make me sit and think and ask you guys stuff and scour the internet to help me understand. It isn't always easy, but I think it's worth the struggle.

I don't know all the answers. I've read the Book of Mormon about 1.5 times. I listen to more LDS music and read more about Church history and Joseph Smith than I do the BOM. I can't cite chapter and verse of the Bible the way some people at church can.
 
What I do during many of my lessons is turn it around to the class - 'You tell me about ...' 'I think this means X, but are there other interpretations I'm not aware of?'  'Tell me about some people from the BOM who embody this characteristic.'  That way, there is discussion, and they have to think about what they know and how to tell it to someone who doesn't know a lot (tell it to me like I'm a 10 yr old). 
 
We have a number of recent and not so recent converts, so while I phrase my questions in terms of 'tell me,' info is also getting out to the other converts in RS. I also bring in quotes from other religions if relevant (I'm often  surprised at how little many of the sisters know about other religions) and have talked about civil rights/ethics/religion issues. I didn't mean to go there, but, for example, how do you talk about forgiveness without talking about MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail and discussing how long you 'turn the other check' and when is it appropriate to move on and take action? I'm pretty sure they didn't expect that, but we wound up having a good discussion of women and abuse and 'taking it.' I can tell you now that the lessons from the born Mormons don't get anywhere near topics like this.
 
Some of the lessons 'write themselves,' some make me sit and think and ask you guys stuff and scour the internet to help me understand. It isn't always easy, but I think it's worth the struggle.

I don't know all the answers. I've read the Book of Mormon about 1.5 times. I listen to more LDS music and read more about Church history and Joseph Smith than I do the BOM. I can't cite chapter and verse of the Bible the way some people at church can.
 
What I do during many of my lessons is turn it around to the class - 'You tell me about ...' 'I think this means X, but are there other interpretations I'm not aware of?'  'Tell me about some people from the BOM who embody this characteristic.'  That way, there is discussion, and they have to think about what they know and how to tell it to someone who doesn't know a lot (tell it to me like I'm a 10 yr old). 
 
We have a number of recent and not so recent converts, so while I phrase my questions in terms of 'tell me,' info is also getting out to the other converts in RS. I also bring in quotes from other religions if relevant (I'm often  surprised at how little many of the sisters know about other religions) and have talked about civil rights/ethics/religion issues. I didn't mean to go there, but, for example, how do you talk about forgiveness without talking about MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail and discussing how long you 'turn the other check' and when is it appropriate to move on and take action? I'm pretty sure they didn't expect that, but we wound up having a good discussion of women and abuse and 'taking it.' I can tell you now that the lessons from the born Mormons don't get anywhere near topics like this.
 
Some of the lessons 'write themselves,' some make me sit and think and ask you guys stuff and scour the internet to help me understand. It isn't always easy, but I think it's worth the struggle.

I don't know all the answers. I've read the Book of Mormon about 1.5 times. I listen to more LDS music and read more about Church history and Joseph Smith than I do the BOM. I can't cite chapter and verse of the Bible the way some people at church can.
 
What I do during many of my lessons is turn it around to the class - 'You tell me about ...' 'I think this means X, but are there other interpretations I'm not aware of?'  'Tell me about some people from the BOM who embody this characteristic.'  That way, there is discussion, and they have to think about what they know and how to tell it to someone who doesn't know a lot (tell it to me like I'm a 10 yr old). 
 
We have a number of recent and not so recent converts, so while I phrase my questions in terms of 'tell me,' info is also getting out to the other converts in RS. I also bring in quotes from other religions if relevant (I'm often  surprised at how little many of the sisters know about other religions) and have talked about civil rights/ethics/religion issues. I didn't mean to go there, but, for example, how do you talk about forgiveness without talking about MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail and discussing how long you 'turn the other check' and when is it appropriate to move on and take action? I'm pretty sure they didn't expect that, but we wound up having a good discussion of women and abuse and 'taking it.' I can tell you now that the lessons from the born Mormons don't get anywhere near topics like this.
 
Some of the lessons 'write themselves,' some make me sit and think and ask you guys stuff and scour the internet to help me understand. It isn't always easy, but I think it's worth the struggle.

My son thinks he knows what he's getting into, I say he hasn't a clue. I was the oldest of 5, my husband was 2nd of 4 and served in VN. We were both used to other people being around. My son is gonna freak when the kids come (which he wants) and he doesn't have a quiet house.

Did anyone else read about Spirit-Led Teaching? It sounds great; I wonder why it hasn't been used more - especially the discussion/interaction aspect.
 
I can't imagine being a born Mormon and hearing the same lessons year after year. Even being new, some of the RS lessons are getting old fast. I don't get a lot out of them.
 
When I give my lessons, the sisters always come up saying they hadn't thought about the topic the way I presented it or that there was a more lively discussion then they've had before. It may help that I'm used to teaching, but I can tell from the other presenters that they don't spend much time on prep. When you don't prep, you end up reading straight from the manual and asking the questions at the end of the chapter. Not exciting, not interesting, and not particularity spirit-led if you ask me.
 
I'm not saying I'm special (tho I am), I'm just saying that maybe we will see some more interesting lessons in which people will want to participate, not just sit back and listen to the teacher. We have had some great discussions in Sunday School with a good teacher, whose prep is also evident. I know it can be done; I just wish more would do it. Maybe this initiative re the Mission Leaders will filter down to the rest of us.

Congrats! 
 
You could always ask really inappropriate questions to get the ball rolling as far as grandkids.  "So, how did it go last night? Do you feel like you are pregnant yet?" 

My son got married this weekend. Of course, the folks at church who are his age have been married 10-15 years, but better late than never, I suppose.
 
We had rain, but it stopped for the outdoor wedding and every time we had to do something, so that worked out (big shout out, HF!).
 
Now for the grandkids!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/314900198919283571/

My son got married this weekend. Of course, the folks at church who are his age have been married 10-15 years, but better late than never, I suppose.
 
We had rain, but it stopped for the outdoor wedding and every time we had to do something, so that worked out (big shout out, HF!).
 
Now for the grandkids!

My son got married this weekend. Of course, the folks at church who are his age have been married 10-15 years, but better late than never, I suppose.
 
We had rain, but it stopped for the outdoor wedding and every time we had to do something, so that worked out (big shout out, HF!).
 
Now for the grandkids!

My son got married this weekend. Of course, the folks at church who are his age have been married 10-15 years, but better late than never, I suppose.
 
We had rain, but it stopped for the outdoor wedding and every time we had to do something, so that worked out (big shout out, HF!).
 
Now for the grandkids!

My son got married this weekend. Of course, the folks at church who are his age have been married 10-15 years, but better late than never, I suppose.
 
We had rain, but it stopped for the outdoor wedding and every time we had to do something, so that worked out (big shout out, HF!).
 
Now for the grandkids!

My son got married this weekend. Of course, the folks at church who are his age have been married 10-15 years, but better late than never, I suppose.
 
We had rain, but it stopped for the outdoor wedding and every time we had to do something, so that worked out (big shout out, HF!).
 
Now for the grandkids!

My son got married this weekend. Of course, the folks at church who are his age have been married 10-15 years, but better late than never, I suppose.
 
We had rain, but it stopped for the outdoor wedding and every time we had to do something, so that worked out (big shout out, HF!).
 
Now for the grandkids!

My son got married this weekend. Of course, the folks at church who are his age have been married 10-15 years, but better late than never, I suppose.
 
We had rain, but it stopped for the outdoor wedding and every time we had to do something, so that worked out (big shout out, HF!).
 
Now for the grandkids!

My son got married this weekend. Of course, the folks at church who are his age have been married 10-15 years, but better late than never, I suppose.
 
We had rain, but it stopped for the outdoor wedding and every time we had to do something, so that worked out (big shout out, HF!).
 
Now for the grandkids!

My son got married this weekend. Of course, the folks at church who are his age have been married 10-15 years, but better late than never, I suppose.
 
We had rain, but it stopped for the outdoor wedding and every time we had to do something, so that worked out (big shout out, HF!).
 
Now for the grandkids!