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After studying the scripture block, select from your list of principles, doctrines, and events those things that encourage and assist students in living the gospel. This experience can be like traveling through a beautiful mountainous area. Each turn brings a new panorama. At times it can be very frustrating because there is more to see than you have time for. Most scripture blocks have more principles, doctrines, and events than you have time to teach. You must be selective.
A teacher will almost always have more to teach than there is time to teach it, so he or she will have to decide what to emphasize and what to summarize. If you teach too many principles and doctrines, the trip through the scripture block becomes a blur. If you spend too much time on one or two principles, students may not get a true perspective of the scripture block.
Some of the principles, doctrines, and events can be taught quickly, as if you are just looking at the scenery as you pass by. Others require more time, as you stop, look around, or even go on a more detailed "expedition."
Four considerations that can help you select principles, doctrines, and events are:
1. Determine the Writer's Intent
2. Think of the Needs of the Students
3. Listen to the Spirit
4. Write the"Whats" in Short Simple Sentences
Determine the Writer's Intent
President Ezra Taft Benson said: "If they (the writers) saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon (all scripture)? We should constantly ask ourselves, 'Why did the Lord inspire Mormon or Moroni or Alma to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me to live in this day and age?" (Conference Report, Oct. 1986, p.5.). Your list of principles, doctrines and events provide you an outline of what is in the scripture block. Examine the list and ask "What is the intent of the writer for this block of scripture?" Select the principles, doctrines, and events that are true to the message or messages of the writer. Leave out or summarize those that are not essential, or that could detract from the writer's intent.
Below are the ten principles, doctrines, and events from 1 Nephi 1 that were listed on the page studying the scripture block. Examine all fourteen. Ask yourself, "What is Nephi's message in this chapter?" Circle the numbers of those that you think students need to understand in order to capture Nephi's intent. Keep in mind that although all ten may seem important, some of them may not be essential to the message or messages of this chapter, or will be taught in other scripture blocks.
1. Nephi begins his record and describes his life, verses 1-3
2. Many prophets warn Judah to repent, verses 4.
3. Lehi prays for his people, verse 5.
4. Lehi has a vision of God and Jesus Christ, verses 6-10.
5. Lehi reads from a book of prophecy, verses 11-13.
6. Lehi praises God, verses 14-15.
7. God is merciful and saves those who come to him, verse 14.
8. Nephi describes his record keeping, verses 16-17.
9. Lehi is persecuted by the Jews, verses 18-20.
10. Faith gives us the power of deliverance, verse 20.
Think of the Needs of the Students
Another consideration that can help you decide what to teach is to think of your students. As you study the scripture block you may find principles and doctrines that are personally exciting or relevant to you, but may not be to your students. Keep in mind that your students are younger and may not have the same spiritual maturity as you do. Review in your mind your students, thinking about their particular challenges and needs. Before and after class, and even during the lesson be aware of what students are saying and doing. What you see and hear can be valuable information to help you select meaningful principles.
Listen to the Spirit
The Spirit, of course is the most important thing. The Spirit will help teachers better understand both their student's needs and the intent of the inspired scripture writer. The Lord said, "And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith" (D&C42:14). As noted earlier, teachers should start their scripture study and lesson preparation with a prayer. And one thing teachers should pray for is the Spirit's help in deciding what to teach.
Write the "Whats" in Short and Simple Sentences.
Once you have selected from your list of principles, doctrines, and events those you want to teach, write them on your outline in short and simple sentences.
The statements in the "What" column provide yo with a road map of your trip. Write them legibly so you can read them during your lesson presentation.
Look again at the "what" column. Decide if each "what" listed is a principle, doctrine, or event. Use the guidelines on the following page to help you select principles, doctrines, and events.
Guidelines
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