12:45: Creating a Spirit-led Learning Environment (Becky Edwards)

Rather than reading ahead for this class, we’ll read quotes and ideas during class and enjoy a discussion about applying them. Here are some points we’ll cover. 

• The Spirit is supremely important in teaching and learning
• The Spirit converts, changes minds, hearts, and actions
• The teacher’s character teaches and also invites or inhibits the Spirit
• When students participate they invite the Spirit and conversion
• Testifying – from both teacher and student – invites the Spirit
• Asking inspired questions – from both teacher and students – invites spirit-led learning 
• Writing down impressions from the Spirit invites change and more impressions
• It’s better to really digest one principle than rushing to cover all your material
• Pondering and reverence invite the Spirit 
• We can expect a lot from youth, and they need deep conversion in this day and age
• The Spirit can testify of all truth, no matter the source 
• Pray for the teacher to prepare and teach by the Spirit 
• Specific methods to invite participation and the Spirit 

Here is one of my favorite quotes about how class participation invites the Spirit to teach the students. 

“When you encourage students to raise their hand to respond to a question, they signify to the Holy Spirit their willingness to learn.  That use of moral agency will allow the Spirit to motivate and give them more powerful guidance during your time together. Participation allows individuals to experience being led by the Spirit. They learn to recognize and feel what spiritual guidance is. It is through the repeated process of feeling impressions, recording them, and obeying them that one learns to depend on the direction of the Spirit more than on communication through the five senses” (Richard G. Scott, “Helping Others to Be Spiritually Led,” August 11, 1998). 

Before class you can watch this 4 minute video. 

12:45 Hour: Tools for Truth: using Principles, Purpose and Passions

 

Strap on your tool belt and grab your hard hat, we are going to discuss how tools can tweek your teaching to help your youth find truth.

Grab some tools by doing the following:

Read:  C S Lewis Article, "Meditations in a Tool Shed"  Pick a topic (preferably one you are passionate about)   Look at it from both of CS Lewis’ perspectives…Looking at it, and Looking along it.  How is looking a tool?  How can changing your perspective change your views?  I would also recommend printing the article, marking it, and bringing to class with you.

Define the following terms:   Define what they literally mean (dictionary or word study), and define what they mean to you:  (application to your own life, how you use them to teach others)

Principle

Theme

Time Period

Classic

Passion

 

Seek for further truth by choosing one of the following:

Choose a principle you would like to learn more about.   Find a fairy tale that teaches that principle.  Read the fairy tale to your children (service ;) )  Come prepared to share some themes, time periods, and personal passions  that apply to the fairy tale you chose.

OR

Choose to run, walk, swim, jump, bike, etc  (some form of physical exercise) Do the exercise J  What principles relate to that physical exercise?   What themes could you use to inspire others?  What classics are there to relate to that exercise?   What passions can you share?

 

Use your tools and your truth to do a project of Creation:

Build something this week.  It can be a physical building, a spiritual building or a mental or intellectual building.   What was your building process? What did you learned from creating?  What tools did you use?

The Power of Core!

...and, no, I am not referring to "Common Core" :)!

As we look around us, we see a world driven by entertainment and self-interest.  What we need to lead us to freedom and happiness in the future is not more people seeking what is the most fun or socially engaging activity, but people who are willing to set those aside to pursue what is necessary to protect our freedoms and pursue truth!

I believe Core Class is the key to creating these kind of individuals among our youth.   Once they see the "why" in Core class, they will be willing to not only pay the price to go deeper into journeyman and master, but they will continue to sacrifice to pursue light and truth in their lives.


Preparatory material:
As you do the following, please note feelings and impressions you get, as well as any part that stands out to you:
 
-Review Neil Flinders readings for this event in "Teach the Children" and especially focus on the sections highlighted in the article: "Notes from "Teach the Children"
-Watch/listen to one or more of the following:
http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_how_to_escape_education_s_death_valley.html

Ask yourself these questions:
-What kind of teaching motivates me to change?
-What experiences have I had that have inspired change in my life?
-What kind of teaching "de-motivates" me and my children?


See you there!