Teach by the Spirit
(Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 5.5.4)
The Savior promised His disciples, “The Holy Ghost … shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). Only through the Holy Ghost can we accomplish the ultimate goal of gospel teaching—to build faith in Jesus Christ and help others become more like Him. The Holy Ghost bears witness of the truth, He testifies of Christ, and He changes hearts. No mortal teacher, no matter how skilled or experienced, can replace the Spirit. But we can be instruments in God’s hands to help His children learn by the Spirit. To do this, we invite the influence of the Spirit into our lives and encourage those we teach to do the same.
Invite the Spirit into Your Teaching
The ultimate purpose of everything a gospel teacher does—every question, every scripture, every activity—is to invite the Spirit to build faith and to invite all to come unto Christ. Do all you can to invite the influence of the Holy Ghost. The Lord has promised, “The Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith” (D&C 42:14). In addition, sacred music, the scriptures, words of latter-day prophets, expressions of love and testimony, and moments of quiet contemplation can all invite the presence of the Spirit. For example, you might arrange to have soft prelude music playing as class begins.
Questions to ponder. What brings the Spirit into my life? into my home? into my class? What drives Him away? How can I help class members invite the Spirit into their gospel learning?
Scriptural example. What do I learn about the Holy Ghost from John 14:26; Helaman 5:29–30; and Doctrine and Covenants 11:12–13? How could this principle help me teach more like the Savior?
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