Friday, December 14, 2007

December 14, 2007

We made it to Christmas break!!
Today in class we did a very short scripture chase and the missionaries stopped in and joined us. bro Wiemer brought in some tasty breakfast - thanks much!
We had a white elephant gift exchange - it was very interesting.
Thanks to all who came today, and have a great break!
The reading for the vacation is to either catch up to Numbers, or to continue through Numbers (which is where we'll be after the break).
Happy break to all!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Silent lesson - December 13, 2007

Today we had a silent lesson. Thank you to the three students who showed up! For those who missed class today, feel free to print up and complete the following lesson for credit today.

Silent Lesson
Good Morning! Welcome to a silent lesson. Once a year I do a silent lesson to help you better feel the Spirit during your reading and studying of the scriptures.
Today's lesson will also count as your 10 minutes of reading for the day. Write your answers to the questions below. During this lesson you are not allowed to talk, or pass notes to anyone in this class. If you need help, raise your hand but don't talk. (If anyone needs help, they go outside the classroom)
Let's begin.......
SILENT DEVOTIONAL
1. Silently read ALL 5 VERSES of hymn #214. As you read, think about what you are reading.
2. Offer a silent prayer to yourself to invite the Spirit.
3. Read Psalms 24:3-4 to yourself 3 times
SILENT LESSON
1. You have been reading about much of the law of sacrifice that the children of Israel followed. What have you learned.
2. The last 9 chapters in Leviticus ends with important counsel for us to follow. Read Lev. 19:2 and write what that counsel is.
3. Read Lev. 19:3-12 and find out what counsel these verses sound like that is found in Exodus 20
4. List all the commandments you can find in Lev 19:3-12 and the verses they are mentioned in. (There are 6 of the 10 mentioned - you may need to look in Exocus 20 for help)
5. Why would these commandments come AFTER the counsel in verse 2 that we are all supposed to be holy, like the Lord?
6. Do you think it's possible to be "holy" if you don't follow those specific commandments? Why or why not?
7. The commandments in verses 3-12 are more specific that those found in Exodus 20. For example, the commandment isn't just not to steal, such as robbing a man or burglarizing a home. What's another way someone can steal? (See verse 13)
8. The commandment in Exodus 20 is to honor one's parents, but here for the Lord used the word "fear" (vs.3), which means a deep respect, reverence and awe. Who else are we to "fear"? In other words, we should have the same feelings for our parents as we have for whom? What should you do if you don t?
9. The commandment in Exodus 20 says not to bear false witness, but what does Lev 19:16 say about it? Make sure you read the footnotes!
10. In Lev. 19:18 we find the whole purpose for these laws and commandments. What is it?
11. During His earthly ministry, the Savior was asked by a scribe which of all the commandments was the greatest. Read Matthew 22:37 to find out His reply.
12. What then, did the Savior say in Matt 22:39 was the next greatest commandment?
13. To put it another way, these 2 principles are the foundation for all the writings of the Old Testament. All principles and commandments stem either from the need to love God or to love our neighbor. Do you believe this to be true? Why or why not?
14. Both of these commandments are mentioned in the Old Testament, but not at the same time. The first is found in Deuteronomy 6:5, the second is in Lev 19. What verse is it found in?
15. What type of a sacrifice is it to follow the commandments mentioned in Leviticus 19?
16. If we truly followed the commandment in Matt 22:40 and Lev 19:18, would the others be easy to follow? Why?
End with a silent closing prayer
Turn in your answers with your name on the paper and you may either silently sit until the end of class, or you may silently leave. Please be reverent to the other classes. Have an awesome day!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

December 12, 2007

Seminary class was cancelled today due to the icy condition of the roads last evening and this morning.
We will do a very brief overview of the chapters which we should have covered today, and continue with chapters 19-27 tomorrow.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Is it Kosher? December 11, 2007

Today we finished the video we began yesterday which dealt with the sacrifices required by the Law of Moses and the sacrifices we are required to make, as we repent and come worthily to the sacrament table.
We discussed the importance of the priesthood bearers being worthy as they bless and pass the sacrament, as well as the meaning of the blood which Moses put on the priest's right ear, finger, and toe. As we went into Chapter 9, we looked at verses 23 and 24. We then wondered what it meant when it said that the 'glory of the Lord appeared unto all of the people.' We took some time to really look at this and checked all of the cross references, and finally spent some time using the bible dictionary to figure out what is meant by this phrase. The students marked Leviticus 9:6 which contains a principle and a promise. If we do the things which the Lord asks and commands us to do, we too can be blessed similarly - as were the Saints when the Kirtland and Nauvoo temples were built, as was Lehi and the brother of Jared - however, these things only come after the trial of the faith. We do first, then we see.
I hadn't planned on specifically going this direction today - and verse 6 hadn't really stood out to me in my preparation - but it sort of took on its own direction today.
We went back and covered chapter 10 of Leviticus. At the beginning of class, I had asked what would happen if a priest was unworthy to bless the sacrament and did it anyways.. we discussed it for a moment, and a student quietly mumbled that they would be struck by lightening. As we read about Nadab and Abihu, we saw what the Lord DID when the priesthood ordinances were altered by men - we then talked about the exactness which the Lord demands regarding the administration of his ordinances - and the importance of even the sacramental prayers being offered correctly.
Finally, we wrapped up class discovering which foods were or weren't kosher.
We had a table laid with grasshoppers, worms, camels, fish, bunnies, beef, shrimp, chicken, and bacon. The students had to figure out which foods were kosher and could be eaten.
We discussed that these dietary laws served two purposes. First, it is likely that due to the lack of refrigeration etc, port and shellfish products would have had the tendency (as they do today) to spoil and cause sickness and disease. Secondly, however, and more importantly, EVERYONE needs to eat, and people RARELY forget to eat. In working to get Egypt out of the Israelites, by giving laws which dealt with their food (which they would not likely forget to eat), they could be reminded of the Lord and of their reliance upon him. Finally, it also helped keep them separate from their neighboring Canaanites.
Todays reading assignment is Leviticus 12-18.

Monday, December 10, 2007

December 10, 2007

Today in class we began the book of Leviticus. As we examine chapters 1-7, we can see that these chapters cover the instructions for the administration of the Sacrifices. We discussed how you can't make a cake without a recipe, and the chapters of Leviticus give specific instructions regarding how to make sacrifices. Everything is spelled out including - what type of animal for which sacrifice, how the animal is to be placed on the altar (even the sequence)and where and how the blood is to be sprinkled, or where it is to be placed. All of these minute details are covered, as the Lord is a Lord of Order. He wants our sacrifices to be done correctly.
We focused on the first 9 verses of chapter 1, and wrote our recipe, or instructions for a proper burnt offering on the board, coming up with 10 necessary elements. We then had some volunteers who brought their animal (iced cookie) to the front of the class, and step by step they made an offering.
We then took the time to discuss how each element in the sacrifice is a type or shadow of Jesus Christ, and what each might represent.
Finally, we read a quote by Elder Maxwell about the sacrifice not really being about the animal, but it being about our willingness to bring the animal within us and lay it on the altar.
We finished class by watching the first section of a movie where a man goes back in time and shows himself (a teenager) how the sacrifice symbolized Jesus Christ, and how today, the sacrament does the same thing for us. We didn't quite finish the show since we had to end class early so the students could get to school on time, but we will finish the last 3 minutes of the movie and wrap up discussion tomorrow morning as we begin class.
Our scripture mastery for this week is Job 19:25-26.
The reading for tonight is Leviticus 8-11.

Friday, December 7, 2007

December 7, 2007

Today the students passed off 1 Samuel 16:7. We then played a scripture mastery game which involved basketballs, dice and a chalk board - working on reinforcing the scripture mastery verses which we've already mastered.
Thanks to all who showed up today.
Next week we will focus on the entire book of Leviticus.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

December 6, 2007

Today we had the chance to review some of the Exodus story - focusing on the occasions during which Moses spoke with the Lord at the mountain. As we began class, the students answered the following questions in their journals - What do I want to get out of Seminary today? We discussed whether or not it is possible for me to meet each one of their needs each day in seminary. Some students said they talk to their parents about most of their problems, but the students all concurred that they don't generally talk with their parents about things they are praying about and praying for. Based on this we discussed how a teacher can't possibly meet each students needs. We discussed however, that Heavenly Father knows what each of our personal needs are, and through the Holy Ghost, we can have our prayers answered, and our personal needs can be fulfilled if we really listen to the Holy Ghost while in Seminary, or Church, or as we read etc.
Based on this, we then did a role play. 2 students volunteered to be our missionaries, and stepped outside the room to knock on the door. I answered the door, and they asked to share a message. They did a great job sharing their message, but I had a couple of questions (as an investigator). Based on Exodus 33:20, and John 1:18, no man can see God and live - that's what my pastor told me, and I just don't understand how Joseph Smith could see God and live, since God doesn't change, and that's what the scriptures say.
The students tried their best to come up with some answers... I then asked the students to spend some time looking in their topical guide under Jesus Christ, appearances of, ante and post mortal. As they did, I asked them to write down in their journals anything that impressed them, as well as any people who they found references to having seen Heavenly Father.
We got back into our role play with some new volunteers and started up where we'd stopped. The students could name several people who had seen the Lord, but we still struggled to find a good answer. Finally, we looked at the JST, and found that only a righteous person can see the Lord still live. We discussed how this really changes our understanding of the aforementioned scriptures, and really opens up our understandings. We ran out of time, but I had planned to ask the students to then record in their journals what they really DID get out of seminary this morning.
Tomorrow we will be doing a scripture chase - I recently found some really fun new ideas for them - I'm excited to try them out!
We will be covering Leviticus 1-7 on Monday during seminary, and we will finish the entire book of Leviticus next week. From here on out (for several weeks at least) we will be FLYING through the upcoming books - doing a minimum of a book a week, so the daily reading and keeping up is pretty important.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Happy Chanukkah! December 5, 2007

Today we celebrated Chanukkah. As yesterday we discussed the worship of idols, and as today celebrates certain points in Jewish history, we took some time to discuss this history. We discussed how Antiochus entered the temple and sacrificed swine,and erected an statue of Zeus and forced them to sacrifice and worship their idols. We discussed how the Maccabees led a rebel group, and finally as they went to re-dedicate the temple, they couldn't find enough oil for the candles - (menorahs). They decided to go on with the dedication anyways, and miraculously, the oil burned for 8 days - hence the 8 candles in the menorah.
As a class we made the traditional Latkes - potato pancakes. Since Chanukkah is generally a day of games and fun as the celebration, we used today for our auction. While the latkes cooked, the students used the gerahs which they've been earing for attendance throughout the year so far and purchased and competed for the items which interested them.
Tomorrow we will focus on Exodus 33-40, finishing the book of Exodus.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Who's on the Lord's Side? - December 4, 2007

Today we focused on Exodus chapter 32. We looked at what the Lord has said about Idolatry in DC 1:16, and then we read some scriptures in Deuteronomy regarding why the Lord commanded the Israelites to slay all of the inhabitants of the cities they came to - and saw that it was always due to idolatry. Going back into Exodus 34 and 32, we read the story of the golden calf, and we discussed Christs' relationship to the church as the Bridegroom. Within this context, we looked at Ex. 34 and read some verses about Israel going 'a whoring' after these other Gods.
We read some excerpts from a talk by Spencer W. Kimball regarding following other Gods, and discussed it in our lives. Two things I really liked from this talk were 1. He pointed out that most of the reasons people turn to other gods is due to the effort of the exercise of faith required. Many people don't have the patience or the faith, and so they turn to carnal false gods instead. The second thing that really impressed me was his discussion of wealth and the gods we pursue. He talked about a young man giving up going on a mission because he really loved his car. In the end, the car is just a composite of steel and rubber, which gave maybe some momentary satisfaction, but only the allusion of going somewhere. Whereas on a mission, he would have been exercising the blessings and promises given through the oath and covenant of the priesthood - which include the power to create worlds, move seas and mountains and more importantly - ALL that the Father hath. Pretty amazing to think that we are so short sighted and focus so much on the here and now and don't have the patience to exercise our faith so that we can receive the things to come.
We used some game show methods within this lesson - thanks to all who showed up and participated.
The assigned reading is Exodus 33 - 40.
Tomorrow we will finish up some final discussion of todays lesson as well as celebrate Hanukkah with some latkes and discuss the historical importance of this holiday to the Jewish people. We will also hold our first gerah auction tomorrow.

Monday, December 3, 2007

What are you wearing?? December 3, 2007

Today we focused on Exodus 28, 29 and 31. We really spent most of our focus discussing appropriate clothing. In these chapters we read about the clothing which the Lord asked Aaron and the priests to wear. It was VERY SPECIFIC and very detailed. Every minute part seemed to be exact and addressed. We looked at some pictures and discussed what a person says by the way they dress. We discussed the counsel which the Lord has given us today - especially the youth about how to dress. We read from the Strength of Youth pamphlet the clothing guidelines and discussed why certain students wouldn't wear their soccer clothing, dance clothing or wrestling outfits to church or to a formal dinner.

Finally, we divided the class up into boys and girls, and had a panel discussion.

The guys asked girls questions about how long they take to get ready, how many outfits they go through trying to find the right one etc. The girls discussed what they like regarding boys' modesty.

The girls asked boys questions about how boys' thoughts are influenced by modest or immodest dress. The boys talked about their preferences that girls would be modest - because it helps them to better honor their priesthood and keep their thoughts clean.

It was a great discussion, and I think that both groups were surprised at some of the responses they got from the other group.

We will be focusing on Exodus 32 tomorrow, and the scripture mastery for this week is 1 Samuel 16:7.