I love to tell stories, so it's easy for me to get so involved in telling the scripture story in a lesson that I forget to explain the lesson that the story is teaching. Many scripture stories are exciting enough and detailed enough, especially if you do a lot of research, to take the entire forty minutes of class time. Doing so, however, robs the student of the valuable lessons of the scriptures. These stories were not told as pure entertainment; they were included to give us lessons that can be applied in our own lives.
Let's look at this lesson in the Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual. This lesson is called If I Perish, I Perish. There are stories of six valiant people, and there are enough stories, if told in depth, to monopolize the class. However, the purpose isn't specifically to teach you about Daniel, as great as he is, or Esther, or any of the other people featured in this lesson. What is the purpose of this lesson? Begin by looking at the statement of purpose offered in the lesson outline: "To help class members have the courage to live according to gospel standards." This is what you've been called by God to teach this day: courage to live the gospel.
As you prepare this lesson, keep the statement of purpose before you at all times. It sometimes helps to write it out and put it on your desk, in your notebook or somewhere else easily visible while you work. Each time you add something to your lesson plan, refer back to the purpose. Never add a teaching method just for entertainment. Everything should lead toward the intended goal.
As you learn the story you will be telling, keep the purpose in mind. There are many ways to tell each gospel story. You can usually pull several morals out of the material simply by emphasizing some points and de-emphasizing others. Be sure the way you tell the story in such a way that you focus on the moral intended for that lesson. I was once handed a manual on a moment's notice to
fill in for a missing teacher. I glanced quickly over the lesson and noticed that the story of the ten lepers was included. Having taught Primary for so many years, I knew that this story was usually given to teach gratitude. Without paying attention to the stated purpose or even the lesson title, I jumped in and began teaching. As I was telling the story, I suddenly felt disoriented, and a strong impression came over me that I was lost. I glanced over at the manual, which I had left open on the table, and realized the lesson was on kindness. This time, the story was offered to show the kindness of the Savior. I had to do some fast talking to get the correct moral back into the story! Had I just focused on the gratitude, the children would have heard a good story, but it would have served no purpose, since it did not strengthen the intended lesson topic.
It can be difficult for students to pick up the thread of a lesson. Even as an adult, I have found this to be true. My husband and I once had the same lesson in our respective classes, but we were well into the discussion at home before we realized it had been the same lesson. My class had wandered around so much that I had not figured out the actual stated purpose of the class. Emphasize the point often during the lesson. Consider making a poster of the lesson purpose. This helps older students stay on topic in their discussions.
A lesson taught entirely on a single purpose holds greater power, since the student stays focused on that message. He will take home with him all the thoughts shared in the class, as well as those that came into his mind when he likened the subject to himself.
The Lord's Question
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