Give Them a Place to Start

I have been thinking about my own classe and some of the ways I ask students a question. There are few things that can produce complete silence in a seminary or institute classroom faster than a teacher saying:

“Would anyone like to share their testimony?”

Suddenly everyone becomes deeply interested in their scriptures.

Not reading them, necessarily. Just looking at them.

One student begins examining the footnotes like they contain the location of buried treasure. Another develops an urgent need to adjust something in their backpack. And the student who has been making eye contact with you for the last 40 minutes suddenly discovers something fascinating on the floor.

It isn't necessarily because they don't have a testimony.

Sometimes they just don't know how to start talking about it.

That is where a good prompt can help.

Instead of asking a big question like, “Who would like to share how they feel about the Savior?” give students a place to begin.

After reading a scripture about Jesus Christ, you might say:

“One thing this teaches me about the Savior is…”

Or:

“One reason I am grateful for Jesus Christ is…”

After discussing a gospel principle:

“A time when I have felt this principle working in my life was…”

Or even:

“If I could tell the Savior one thing I am grateful to Him for, I would say…”

Notice what these prompts do. They don't tell students what to say. They simply help them figure out where to begin.

And that matters!

When students put their own feelings, experiences, and testimony into words, something happens. The Holy Ghost can confirm the truth of what they are saying--not only to the other students in the room, but to the student who is saying it.

Sometimes a young person discovers what they believe while trying to put it into words.

Give It a Try

As you prepare your lessons this week, add one simple sentence starter to each lesson that gives students an opportunity to verbalize something they feel, have experienced, or believe.

Don't worry if there is a little silence at first.

Give them a few seconds.

They may actually be thinking.