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| Teach a Welfare Principle or Topic |
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Introduction
Using These Lessons
These lessons are an instructional resource for regional, stake, and ward welfare committees and stake bishops’ welfare councils. The lessons teach spiritual and temporal welfare principles and the responsibilities of bishops, Melchizedek Priesthood leaders, and Relief Society leaders. As prompted by the Spirit, leaders should plan and teach these lessons to help address the spiritual, emotional, and temporal needs of the members in their stake, district, ward, or branch.
The videocassette Essentials of Welfare (53045) or the DVD In the Service of Your God (54645) is suggested for use in many of the lessons. This videocassette may be ordered through the Church’s distribution services. Other teaching helps provided in this manual include a list of materials for each lesson, quotes from Church handbooks, scriptural references, possible discussion questions, and other suggestions for class participation. Additional suggestions for teaching can be found in the Teaching Guidebook (34595) and in Teaching, No Greater Call (36123).
Encouraging Class Discussion
Rather than presenting these lessons as lectures, help class members participate meaningfully in discussing the lesson’s key points, scriptures, and quotes from Church handbooks. As class members participate, they more effectively learn the lesson’s key points and better understand how to apply gospel principles. Seek the Spirit’s guidance in deciding which questions to ask, how to organize them, and how to discuss them. Class discussions should center on matters that help members come unto Christ and live as His disciples. Redirect discussions that do not accomplish these purposes. For more ideas on teaching with questions, see Teaching, No Greater Call, 68–70.
Use the following guidelines to encourage class discussion:
1. After asking a question, give class members a scripture reference so they can find the answer.
2. Ask questions that require thought and discussion rather than yes or no answers. Questions that begin with why, how, who, what, when, and where are usually most effective for encouraging discussion.
3. Encourage learners to share their feelings about what they are learning from the lesson. Also encourage them to share experiences that show how welfare principles can be applied to their callings. Make positive comments about their contributions. However, if anything contrary to Church doctrine or policy is said, be sure that the misinformation is corrected. These important welfare principles are divine and must not be diluted, changed, or misunderstood. Redirect statements or discussions that do not invite the Spirit, using love and meekness, towards correct principles (see Teaching, No Greater Call, 84–87).
4. Be sensitive to the needs of each learner. Although all learners should be encouraged to participate in class discussions, some may hesitate to respond. You may wish to speak privately with them to find out how they feel about reading aloud or participating in the lesson. Be careful not to call on those who might be embarrassed.
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