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From Preach My Gospel, you'll find these Baptismal Interview Questions:
- Do you believe that God is our Eternal Father?
- Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world?
- Do you believe that the Church and the gospel of Jesus Christ have been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith?
- Do you believe that [current Church President] is a prophet of God? What does this mean to you?
I asked 4 youth to pretend one of their friends or non-member family member asked them one of those questions. How would they answer? I also told them to put their answer in the form of a testimony.
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world?
The young man assigned shared several important truths about Christ, then ended his remarks with: "so, ya" Which has an open-ended, non-convincing feeling to it.
Me: "Very good, but are you going to end it with, so ya?"
Young man: awkward smile...uhhh....no
Me: How would be a better way to end your testimony?
Young man: silent
Me: How about, I KNOW...testify. I know that Jesus Christ lives...
Now, try it again. Let's practice it.
Young man: I know that Jesus Christ lives.
Me: Great!
Young man: big smile
Do you believe that God is our Eternal Father?
Young man: "Uh...I know that God is real" [said in almost a question form] ...that He is there. [another question form]
Me: Very good, but How do you know? What experience have you had? When has the Lord shown you that He is real? I'd like you to share an experience. Have you had a prayer answered?
Young man: Recognition across his eyes...Yes I have!.
Me: Could you share it with us right now?
Young man: shares experience of praying for help during a time of trouble, and his prayer being answered.
Me: So what did you learn because of that experience?
Young man: That God answers my prayers
Me: And because He answers your prayers, what does that mean?
Young Man: That He is real and that He cares about me.
Me: And if you know that He is real and cares about you, what do you know?
Young man:That He lives.
Me: Exactly! Now how are you going to end your testimony? Do you need to say, "in the name of Jesus-Christ, amen"?
Young man: giggles..."no"
[Because in a setting with friends you are not going to be that formal]
Young man: I know that God does live and answers prayers.
Me: Perfect!
How are you teaching the New Curriculum?
Wonderful ideas. I love the way you are approaching it. Thank you for giving me some new ideas.
ReplyDeleteI am in the YW presidency and am teaching for the month of January. The way I have taught for the last two Sundays is to opening it up with a little intro by me. Yesterday I asked a few questions and had them write their answers in their notebooks. Then I assigned one of the YW to do one of the bullets in the Learn Together section. I add some thoughts and then have opened it up at the end for anyone to bear their testimony, share an experience, or share what they have learned.
I have been so impressed with our YW and in the last two weeks have felt like I have learned so much about them and I can feel their strength. My only complaint is that this curriculum did not come out sooner!
I was just recently released from being Yw President, which I loved. I feel so grateful to still be teaching. I love this new curriculum. I really feel clueless as to how to teach this and am totally relying on the spirit, because it is a new program with also a class of BOYS who I am unfamiliar with.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input.