Your lesson is prepared and it’s on a challenging topic. The material assumes a certain amount of background knowledge….and then a student introduces a non-member guest. Now what?
Non-members often suspect our classes are taught in a foreign language. Stop for a moment and think of all the unusual words we use in our religion, and add to that the usual words we use in different ways. Melchizedek, stake center, priesthood, Primary, D&C…. Now think about all the doctrine we take for granted. Non-members come with a widely varying background in gospel teaching, and you may have to back up a long way in order to give them the background information necessary to understand the doctrine taught.
Whenever you prepare a lesson, stop to think about the possibility of non-member or inactive guests. It's helpful if members are encouraged to notify leaders when non-members will be attending, but this doesn't always happen. Sometimes the invitation is spontaneously given or accepted at the last minute. Be prepared at every lesson to teach a non-member.
Note the vocabulary you'll be using to teach the lesson and what concepts are needed to understand the material. Consider ways to present this information. How would you define unique words? Can you give very brief background explanations for doctrines that are mentioned, but not really taught? If you are expecting a non-member, you may want to create a handout for this person with vocabulary and some very basic information, or you may ask the person who invited the guest to prepare them for the lesson. Otherwise, write new words on the chalkboard and define them briefly. Remember that we often use words in different ways than other churches use them. If you are not sure what words would be challenging, invite the missionaries to dinner and ask, or contact a convert for help. Primary lesson manuals, which can be found online at LDS.org are also a good place to find simple explanations for challenging concepts. The church also has a new website designed for non-members. Mormon.org offers introductions to basic church doctrine. Studying this site will help you understand how to present the material to a non-member.
When choosing scriptures to use in the class, be sure to choose some that are from the Bible. First, this gives most guests a comfortable and familiar starting place. Secondly, it assures them that we do use the Bible.
Don't wander off into speculation. When teaching non-members, make sure your teachings are sound. Don’t apologize or feel uneasy about introducing something the student may disagree with. You can’t know in advance which doctrines will appeal to your guest, and at any rate, you should be proud of every doctrine. Teach accordingly. If a student tries to argue with you, simply bear your testimony and offer to let him discuss it further with the missionaries, who “might be able to explain it in more detail.” Don’t allow an argument to begin, and don’t allow scripture bashing. You can prove anything with the scriptures if you try hard enough. (I once had a man show me a long list of Bible scriptures that “proved” the existence of Martians.) Your testimony is the one thing no one can debate effectively. Use it to your advantage.
At the end of class, be sure to thank your guest and ask her if she has any further questions. Encourage the person who brought her to help her if the question can’t be answered easily. If by some chance she wandered in of her own accord, introduce her to the missionaries before she leaves. Be sure to get her telephone number and, if she is the same gender, offer to stop by and visit to discuss the topic in more detail. (Bring someone with you.)
Teaching standard gospel topics to non-members can be an excellent way for you to improve your understanding of basic principles and to practice your missionary skills. Enjoy your opportunity and be sure to thank your guest and her host for giving you this opportunity to share something you feel strongly about.
Our Search for Happiness: An Invitation to Understand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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