Teaching Changes - March 26, 2008

I never thought that I wouldn't be one of the survivors standing in the final photo of the year, however this appears to be the case.
As the last blog talked about seasons and times (Ecclesiastes 3), I have come to a different season in my life and will not be able to finish out teaching this year. I am very grateful to those parents and students who were supportive of my efforts - thank you so much - your support has been invaluable. I have learned many things this year, and I have enjoyed spending each morning with your wonderful youth - thank you for sharing them with me!

March 20, 2008

Just for those of you who check on a daily basis - due to the fact that we were at a good stopping point, and the students were doing testing at school, and therefore starting at very different times, and because spring break is all of next week, I canceled class today and tomorrow. We will be starting in Isaiah when we start back up after next week.

March 19, 2008

Ecclesiastes - what a book.
Today we talked a little bit about seasons of life - the students came up with a list of some which we all go through.
We then checked out the Bible Dictionary and found out a little more about this book. We learned that it was written by David's son, the king (Solomon? most likely?)..
We know that Solomon had SO many riches - it was out of control. I think this makes the book even that much more insightful. Additionally, knowing what kind of wisdom he had even adds to the bang.
We read in the bible dictionary that 'vanity' as used in this book refers to 'transitory or fleeting'.

The students opened up to chapter three, and as they listened to the Byrds version of Ecclesiastes in the song Turn Turn Turn, they underlined everything that they heard mentioned. It was pretty well represented. We talked about what the main point might have been - what the author might have been trying to tell us through these verses.

Then, we had the students stand on their chairs. They closed their eyes and imagined that they had just hiked up a huge mountain. From their vantage point, they could see everything below them. People were miniscule, and cars and vehicles looked like little toys. We talked about what they saw - people shopping, getting mugged (that was an active imagination), people watching T.V. We talked about what type of advice we would want to give these people as we saw them from our vantage point.
Back in our seats, we talked about what this author was really trying to tell us.
We read the second to last chapter in the book, 12:13. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter...the author spent almost 12 chapters talking about all of the things of the world that we get wrapped up in, all of the petty things, all of the bad hair days etc. Finally, he shares what he thinks is really the most important and what we should be focusing on..."Fear God and keep His commandments"...
What a huge message! He's had time to see everything from such a different vantage point. He's had wine, women, money, power, glory of the earth and nations, and even as the wisest person - this is the most important.

Finally, developing this idea further - we discussed Christ upon the mountain. As Christ was tempted by Satan, He was tempted with three things. Food, angels (power) and the city. Christ was fasting at that time - there would be a time when He would eat - but it wasn't that time. Christ would have a time when the city would/will be His - but it wasn't that time. Christ had a time when the angels would hold him up - but it wasn't that time. Everything has a time - somethings are more important today than they will be tomorrow. We need to "Fear God and keep His commandments" and make sure that we are doing things at the proper time - for there truly is a season for all.

March 14th, 17 & 18, 2008

On Friday we played a March Madness scripture mastery game.
On Monday, we did an object lesson - faith walk to teach our scripture mastery of Proverbs 3:5-6. The students each chose a guide to guide them through an obstacle course, while others tried to disuade them while objects were placed in their ways. The students seemed to have a great time trying to blockade each other in. We ended class with DC 122 - reading about the counsel given to Joseph about some of his trials.
Today we studied proverbs. The students shared some of their favorite sayings, then we looked in proverbs and found some of our favorite proverbs to share. We then played Proverbs Balderdash. We read the beginnings of proverbs, and the students came up with possible answers. We voted to guess the right one.
Tomorrow we will study Ecclesiastes.

March 14, 2008

Today we worked a little more on Daniel 2:44-45, and then we played a March Madness basketball scripture mastery game. Hannah became our reigning champ! Congrats!
On Monday we will begin in Proverbs and continue working on that scripture mastery.

March 12 & 13 2008

Yesterday we started the book of Psalms. The students each picked and shared one of their favorite hymns. We spent some time with a reference sheet, and saw that many of the students' favorite hymns are based on Psalms. We then looked up these psalms and compared them to the hymns. Some of them were almost word for word, while others required a little more imagination - but we could see how most of them related to or had been derived from the Psalms. We spent some time learning about a couple of literary forms or tools called doxologies and chiasmas. The students were able to replicate and put together/diagram a chiasma on the board - thus being able to see how they really worked.
We talked about the forms used in the Psalms, and saw that many of them were written by David. We also saw that most of them can fit into four different categories - Praise and Thanksgiving, Repentance, Messianic messages, and Temples/worship.

Finally, I asked the students to write their own Psalm. Today we planned to have a Seminary Academy of the Performing Arts awards show. The students were given time in class to work on their Psalm, and we planned to work on them in class as well today, and then have the students perform them either singing, reciting, dancing - whatever, it was creativity at its best - complete with prizes.
Unfortunately, we didn't have any students show up for class today, so the rest of the activity never happened.
Tomorrow we will be doing a March Madness Scripture Mastery game and passing off Daniel 2: 44-45.
Next week we will work on Proverbs (Monday) and Ecclesiastes on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday we will begin working on Isaiah.

Lemon bars and Job March 11, 2008

Today we started out class reviewing the things we talked about yesterday. We did an abstract exercise at the beginning of class as each student came up with some type of a connection between Job and lemon bars. As we moved in to our lesson, we read about the things which Job struggled with - in one day all of his wealth as well as his children were taken from him. We looked at his response - the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. We then read in chapter 2 how he was plagued with a disease and with boils... his wife encouraged him to curse God - his response was - the Lord gives good and the Lord gives evil.
The students spent some time in chapter 3 looking for parallelisms - which they did a great job with. They were able to identify some of them, and then we were able to figure out what the main point or theme was of each one.

We talked about the scripture that says that Happy is the man whom the Lord chasteneth (chapter 5 or 17?). We talked about whether or not we are happy when we are being chastened and how we can look at things from a positive perspective or not - it is our choice.
We saw how both Job's wife and his friends condemned him, invited him to curse, or told him he needed to repent - they didn't really support or help him..
Finally, we looked at our scripture mastery - Job 19. Job explains that even though worms destroy his flesh (which I believe they were literally doing), it didn't matter. Job knew that Jesus Chris is his Savior. It didn't really matter to Job what happened to him or his body in his life - even if it was painful and awful (which it was and he wished he'd never been born at one point) He KNEW that his Redeemer lives and that one day, he would be resurrected and stand before the Lord. This was the thought and the hope which got him through everything.

After discussing this, I handed out different quotes to the students regarding adversity. Each student used their topical guide and found some scriptures which went along with their quotes. Each student then shared their quote - their related scripture, and shared their thoughts about it with the class.
Tomorrow we will begin Psalms - 1-24

March 10, 2008

Today we began the poetic section of the Old Testament. As we began class, we focused our discussion around literary terms and methods. We discussed concrete and abstract principles and their interpretations. Likewise - we discussed how parables worked, as well as their form and functions, different layers, and the varying interpretations.
We spent most of the day building a framework for the students to help in their understanding of the poetic books. Isaiah is one of the poetic authors, however as we build the framework for the students' understanding, they will (hopefully) be able to better understand the message found within these books.
One of the students struggles with the concept of being like 'salt' in the scriptures. We spent time as a class looking for symbolic interpretations and figuring out what it might mean and why it might be applicable. The students did a great job of grasping onto most of these ideas. We discussed some of the common literary symbols - light & dark, good and evil, water and life etc...
We also discussed the importance of poetry and song in the Old Testament culture and how these were the highest forms of praise and how repetition was used to enhance meaning. Additionally, we talked about parallelism, and how it is used poetically in the bible. Most of Isaiah's writings are parallelisms.
As we talked about some of the symbols, we talked about coal. Many of the students did not know that diamonds come from coal - however they are perfected after heat and pressure. Some diamonds don't make it - they crack under the pressure - some come out perfect and brilliant. However a diamond CANNOT form without the heat and pressure. One student pointed out how we are like the coal, and our trials are the heat and pressure - and how we have the potential to become something amazing and perfect if we are able to withstand and survive the trials which we face. What great insight. We discussed some of the trials which we all face... death, sickness, love, etc. The students then thought about whether or not they actually wanted their trials - and most seemed to realize that through our trials we are able to grow and to become something that we would never reach without them. Even though they are tough, they serve as tools which help us learn and grow - things we can't gain any other way.
We discussed how chapters 1-2 are a prologue, 3-41 are the poetry, and 42 is the epilogue. I also pointed out that Job lived in the time period of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, as his book is poetic - it is organized into the poetic section of the OT.
As we began to study the book of Job, we read about Job being perfect and upright. We saw that part of his formula was that he 'eschewed evil', and we talked about this for a couple of minutes.
We spent the remainder of the time discussing how the sons of God (who they were - how does one become a son of God? - through making covenants with the Lord and taking His name upon us...etc) presented themselves before the Lord. We saw that Satan was present, and we saw that Satan has power.

I asked the students to take some time tonight to look at Job 1-19. To look at the poetry and see if they could find any poetic symbols. Tomorrow we will continue our study of the book of Job, and I'm excited for the students to begin to discover and understand these beautiful poetic passages of scripture and find the meaning and messages found therein.
We are working on Daniel 2:44-45 for our scripture mastery this week.

March 6, 2008

Today we went over the book of Esther.
We started out by asking the boys to list the characteristics that would be important to them in a girl. We then made a list of some of the talents they would like their spouses to have.
The girls also mentioned what they thought would be important.
We then asked the students (guys) if they were a king - how they would go about picking a new wife. We discussed the various methods suggested by the students.

I asked each student to make a private list of some of the talents which they believe Heavenly Father has given them - specifically to them. They spent several minutes and made their lists.

We then began to read in Esther and read about Esther and Mordecai's relationship, and then (since the guys asked - what she looked like). The students were fairly familiar with this story, and so they re-told the story. We focused on a verse in Chapter 6 which is the dialog between Mordecai and Esther. We talked about if we thought that Esther had been raised with an idea that she would save the Jews... and if she really knew what was in store for her.

We then read a quote from Elder Maxwell which talks about how each of us is sent to our spot in the world for a reason.

We watched a CES video depicting part of Esther's story. The video doesn't resolve the whole story, but ends as she walks into the king's presence.

As we ended class, I asked the students to look at their list of talents, and spend some time thinking about which of those talents/blessings Heavenly Father may have given them specifically so that they could work to build His kingdom and be an instrument in His hands.

On Monday we will be focusing on Job 1-18.

March 5, 2008

Today we discussed the book of Nehemiah.
The students started out in groups, making lists of everything a wall could be used for. After making their lists, we then discussed the importance of walls in regards to the protection of a city (such as Jerusalem). We talked about the entrances and what some of their purposes may have been.

I then gave 2 groups of students some instructions, and some wooden blocks. One group of student's objective was to build and protect a wall for their city out of blocks. The other student groups' objective was to hinder the construction of the other groups' wall. It didn't take very long to see pandemonium break out in the classroom. The destroyers were able to quickly gather up the blocks and hoard them so that the builders weren't able to get to them. I then gave the students swords (hangers) so that they might protect themselves. Unfortunately, there wasn't much hope. It seemed that no one could get much work done either way.

As we re-grouped, we talked about Nehemiah and some of the worst jobs ever (he was the king's cup bearer - in charge of making sure there was no poison in the kings' food). Nehemiah had a desire to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the temple and the walls. The Samaritans were still angry about their rejection and once again tried to impede their progress by destroying the walls which they were building.

We talked about who the students thought would win this building of the wall battle. If demonstrated from our little re-enactment, the Samaritans definitely would have won. However, we read in chapter 4, how Nehemiah called the people together. He gives a great couple of verses which sound exactly like Captain Moroni calling the people to support the title of liberty. We discussed this, and then discovered what the Jews did to finally finish building. They built with one hand, and kept their sword in the other. They were constantly vigilant and defensive as they were building.

We took some time to discuss our own spiritual walls. Each day and moment we are building our spirituality. As we read through chapter 6, we saw the tactics used to destroy Nehemiah and his work. Men sent unto him to meet with them, not just once but 5 different times. Nehemiah always answered the same - why should I leave this important work? Finally, when they knew they couldn't get that angle, they tried another, by hiring someone to warn him that someone planned to murder him.
Nehemiah's reaction was interesting - it says that "He perceived" that this wasn't the truth. We talked about what would have made him able to 'perceive' this. The Holy Ghost is our guide and our companion. DC 46 talks about the gifts of the spirit, one of which is discernment. When we listen to the Holy Ghost, we can also be blessed with some of these gifts - as the situation warrants - but we have to be worthy to receive and willing to listen and do what we are directed to do.

We finished class by talking about some of the tactics Satan uses to destroy our spiritual walls. A big one is distraction. Just like they tried to distract Nehemiah, Satan tries to distract us with media, fashion, friends, fun, pornography etc - basically anything that he can use he will.

The students suggested some of the things they can do to withstand these distractions - such as saying their prayers, scriptures, being obedient, paying tithing etc.
One of the student commented that these were primary answers. We took the time to ask how many students had taken the time to read their scriptures today, or to say their prayers this morning. We saw that even though these may be simple primary answers, we all struggle with them, and obviously haven't gotten it right. We have the repetition over and over again because we still need to work on it, and we need the protection which we get from these each and every day - it runs out.

Tomorrow we will go over the book of Esther.

March 4, 2008

Zerababbel, Ezra and Nehemiah. These are some of the prophets we talked about today. As we began to study the book of Ezra, we talked about the history of the people.
I asked the students how they would react if someone came up to them and told them that they were in a book that had been written 200 years before - about them. Some said surprised, others wouldn't believe it. This is what happened to King Cyrus.
After the people of Judah had been in captivity for 50 years to the Babylonians, the Babylonians were defeated by the Persians and Medes. King Cyrus became king and was very tolerant of other religious worship. After reading the prophecy (Isaiah 44 & 48) about himself, he agreed to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem and to build their temple.
We talked about who the Samaritans were, and read about them in the BD. As we understood who they are, it was easier to understand why the Jews didn't want their help. We talked about how the Lord also uses good people outside of the gospel to further his work.

The students divided into groups and wrote letters to the returning Jews. They wrote letters of advice - what advice they would give to these people who were returning after 50 years of captivity.

Afterwards, we played team football. I asked questions and the students searched through Ezra 1-10 to find the answers. Whichever team got the answers right got to move forward 10 yards.
We finished up class talking about the theme which we were able to see within this book, and within the other books of the OT. When we marry outside the covenant, entire nations are destroyed. The Lord warns over and over again, but we repeatedly see that when we don't follow the Lord's counsel, we lose blessings.

After some class discussion - we decided that we will be having class at 8:00 tomorrow and Thursday due to finals and school starting late.
Tomorrow we will go over Nehemiah and Esther on Thursday.

March 3, 2008

Today we went through 1 & 2 Chronicles.
We started class as we reviewed some of what we'd studied last week. We talked about the historical elements of 2 Kings. We reviewed the scattering of the Northern Tribes, and the eventual captivity of the Southern Kingdom. We discussed where they went, why, for how long, and what happened to those who were left, and the occupation forces.
The students scanned through the first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles. They commented on what they saw in these chapters. They then scanned several chapters from 9 on, and we discussed who most of these chapters were about.
Chronicles was written for those in captivity just before (or slightly thereafter) their return to Jerusalem. It skipped some of the uglier moments, but focused on David and then marginally on Solomon. It's purpose was to show God's deliverance and teach reliance and trust upon the Lord.

We spent time talking about what the students had learned in seminary. Other than some historical and cultural information, the students agreed that they hadn't really heard anything new this year. We talk about faith, repentance, obedience, baptism, the Holy Ghost etc. These are all things that we've heard about before. The students estimated that they have probably heard / learned about faith 4500.5 times throughout their lives as members of the church (where that number comes from I'm not sure, but we went with it). Chronicles is a repetition of what we've already heard before. The gospel really doesn't change too much. The Lord uses repetition to teach us because we still don't always seem to get it. Something along the lines of Practice makes perfect. We discussed how 'practicing correct principles makes perfect'. The scriptures are a constant reminder used by the Lord to teach us what we need to learn. As we went through Chronicles, we were able to see that repetition.

Several of our students are running track, so they shared how they feel just before they get to the end of their race. Some hit a wall where they go numb. Some get a burst of speed, and others are just exhausted and even sick.
We talked about the kings that we've seen throughout the old testament. As we examined them, we could see that several started out well, and then almost all of them (excepting a very small minority) backslid. They got halfway through, and then they gave in.
Just as these kings started out well, many of them petered out and gave up at the end. We talked about how easy it is to do this in life - when school, seminary, work etc all seem to get in the way and life gets so busy and complicated, we just give up and stop doing those things that really are so important.

As a class we read through 2 Chronicles 20 and talked about trusting in the Lord. We see SO many miracles and instances of the Lord stepping in and fighting our battles. 2 Chronicles 20 is another example of this. The Lord tells the people to 'stand still'. How do you stand still when you see that you are surrounded by the enemy? How do you not keep a sword in your back pocket just in case? The answer is FAITH in the LORD. When we believe the Lord, when we have FAITH in His promises, we are strengthened. When we let go and let him drive - we are safe and protected. What an amazing lesson we are taught in this story. Be obedient, follow the commandments/prophet/Lord, and you will be saved. Not just physically, but also spiritually.
The students had the opportunity to act this scripture story out - it was interesting to see them as they tried to decide whether they should keep their swords with them or not - how much they thought they would trust in the Lord in this situation, and as we saw the outcome of this story.
Tomorrow we will be covering Ezra 1-10.