andypg Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 Hey everyone.I'm sure everyone has that one person in your ward. The person who has semi-intelligent things to add to the discussion but never speaks up. That's me. It seems like in Gospel Principles and Elder's Quorum we get into some really great discussions, but I never speak up. Part of it is definitely because I'm shy. The other part is probably because I'm still the newbie in my ward and don't want to embarrass myself by opening my mouth up.Have you ever had that problem? I just can't seem to talk in class.I'm just hoping if anyone on here can offer some words of wisdom to the quiet guy in the back corner of the class.I really think I can get so much more out of classes if I participate. Quote
Roseslipper Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 You already know the answer to your question. Speak up!!! I was shy once too, being a member has helped me in most cases not to be shy. The only time I might be some what shy is if im with the opposite sex. Dont let being a newbie stop you, you can add alot to the class :)Try it u might like it... :) Quote
beefche Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 Do you have a friend that you sit with? I love sitting by friends and having side discussions with that person. I realize that we are whispering, but it's about the topic/discussion. A GA once taught that he wanted your "divided attention." He wanted a divided attention because the Spirit talks to us personally and if we gave undivided attention we may not listen to the Spirit talking to us. I've taken that to heart and sometimes I feel it necessary to share my thoughts with a friend who is sitting next to me. I teach often at Church and I am not offended to see people whispering back and forth or looking at their scriptures or whatever. I assume it's because the Spirit is guiding them and not that I'm boring them. Quote
skippy740 Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 I can understand the "embarrassment factor".Try this: share experiences. No one can refute your own experience when you see how it can add to the conversation and topic.If you want to share a principle or a scripture, you can couch it by saying "I've always been taught that..." or "I think the scriptures say this... (somewhere)." Or just look it up and quote the scripture and expand on how you think it relates.No one is going to say "Hey, that's wrong!" in class. (Some might do that here in a discussion forum, but lds.net is not the same as going to Sunday School.) Quote
Guest Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 I'm the one that has a hard time staying quiet... So I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum.The cool thing about Church is you don't get graded on what you say. On top of that, people tend to be patient and kind and humble and loving in Church... So you can make as many mistakes as you can without fear.My suggestion is to study the lesson during the week and write down your thoughts and questions in a notebook. Then during class, when the lesson touches on one of your notes, raise your hand. Quote
Iggy Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 If you take a real good look around you will find that there is probably another quiet person- or two or more.Are you shy around your own family? If not, then think of your Ward members as your family. Don't be shy with them. Speak up. State your thoughts, beliefs and ASK your questions. I am the one who questions the teacher. I want references, and if the teacher strays too far off the lesson path - I bring it back to topic. I wear hearing aids, and our GD class is held in the Chapel. The teacher wears a wireless mic. - but the members, well unless they really speak loud, I can't hear them. We do have a microphone on a looooong line/cord, and I am pushing to get that put into use. I want to hear what is being said. At least in RS the room is smaller, and I sit pretty much in the middle with the other sisters who wear hearing aids. The sisters are used to us saying: Speak up, I really want to hear what you said. So, speak up. Quote
Lakumi Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 I took it a step further and always sat alone, in the classes, in the church part, during any lunches...though more often then not people would find me and sit beside me... and talk to meUsually things like that infuriate me but I guess I was feeling a little more sociable those days... Quote
tubaloth Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I know what you mean. I never could figure out what people would talk about. Being Single (in a family setting) I never felt like I have anything worthwhile to say. (most people seem to have a way more interesting life than I do). Sometimes if I'm in a conversation my mind will just go blank. Not fun if its on a Date. Then I realize I just need to speak what comes to my mind. Yes sometimes what comes to our mind is a little sarcastic. Or maybe not always what should be said. So it does take some training. But after a while. The thought that comes into your head about that scripture, or what you liked about that paragraph, raise your hand and say it. Sometimes I start to say something and realize I have no idea what I'm getting at. Other times I start saying something and I realize I didn't have a point. Thats going to happen. Others times you can tell the teacher needs a couple of seconds to regroup, so speak up just to give the teacher a break. I'm going to assume you know the gospel. I assume you read and study the scriptures. So all people want is for you to share your view and testimony of the gospel from your point of view. Its not as hard as you think once you speak what comes to your mind. Quote
Palerider Posted March 2, 2014 Report Posted March 2, 2014 I use to be like that. Kinda funny but true.....I was sitting in corner at a Young Adukt stake dance and this beautiful lady walked over and asked me to dance. Four years after that we were married in the Logan Temple. Quote
ventura23 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Posted March 2, 2014 Hey everyone.I'm sure everyone has that one person in your ward. The person who has semi-intelligent things to add to the discussion but never speaks up. That's me. It seems like in Gospel Principles and Elder's Quorum we get into some really great discussions, but I never speak up. Part of it is definitely because I'm shy. The other part is probably because I'm still the newbie in my ward and don't want to embarrass myself by opening my mouth up.Have you ever had that problem? I just can't seem to talk in class.I'm just hoping if anyone on here can offer some words of wisdom to the quiet guy in the back corner of the class.I really think I can get so much more out of classes if I participate.Hi Can you tell me what a ward is?Thanks Quote
skippy740 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Posted March 2, 2014 A ward is an LDS congregation headed by a Bishop.Not to be confused with a Prison Ward... or a Psychiatric Ward. Quote
ventura23 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Posted March 2, 2014 A ward is an LDS congregation headed by a Bishop.Not to be confused with a Prison Ward... or a Psychiatric Ward. HiI don't know much about the LDS, I was just curious. Is that a ward where families live together?Your question prompted my question.Did you have much communication with your family growing?I ask that because in my family there was little communication and I too had a problem of speaking up. just a thought.I had little self confidence because of it.Could there be a coincidence? Quote
andypg Posted March 3, 2014 Author Report Posted March 3, 2014 Not to be confused with a ... Psychiatric Ward. Feels like it sometimes. Quote
Palerider Posted March 3, 2014 Report Posted March 3, 2014 Feels like it sometimes. Need the laugh button for this. Quote
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