From the Mission President as of February 29, 2016

Texas Houston Mission

 

Monday, February 29, 2016

It's Only Getting Better

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

We are so impressed by the increasing numbers of miracles in our mission. February 2016 was the highest number of baptisms in our mission of any February in the last 20 years! There are more complete families getting baptized and there are more dates for March set than we have seen for any month since we've been here! The Lord is hastening His work and we have the privilege of having front row seats :).

As I have been out participating in companionship studies this week I have observed that our outlines don't really follow the pattern of teaching we see demonstrated by divine messengers in the scriptures. With this in mind, we would like to extend to each of you two assignments to be completed this week: First please study together PMG ch 10 and look for principles you can work on to become more effective teachers. Second, please read 1 Ne Ch 11 and look for the way the angel teaches Nephi. Look for the principles of:

     1. Starting with the learners desire

     2. Introducing and idea/principle,

     3. Finding out what the learner understands and then

     4. Rounding out their understanding when they don't understand completely

See how these principles are demonstrated in this passage of scripture. Once you do this, please look back at your outlines and see if they need some refining. If they do, please work together to make them better. When we are going to teach a principle like repentance, we ought to be thinking what the truths are about repentance we want to make sure are understood. Our outline might look something like this:

Repentance

  Q. What do you understand repentance to be?

          Truths:                                                                   Scriptures:

               1. To ask forgiveness of sin

               2. To change

               3. To forsake sin and to turn toward God

  Transition: When we properly repent we demonstrate we want to turn away from sin and turn toward God. Let's turn to the scriptures to see what the Lord asks of those who truly repent:

Add to this outline the scriptures that you can find that teach these truths. As you ask the question in the lesson, make sure you are listening for both what is said and what is not said. You can then round out the investigator's understanding by helping them discover the truths they don't understand by turning to the scriptures.

We promise you that as you continue to strive to teach the Lord would have you teach, the Spirit will be with you more powerfully and those you teach will be able to understand.

We love you and feel so lucky to associate with each of you!

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen