Teaching Restored

To PowerPoint, or not to PowerPoint, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the classroom to show The technology and the wonders of the modern era, Or to take arms against a sea of tech And by opposing not use them. Kevin and Julie talk about the pros and cons of using technology - specifically PowerPoint (or it's other well known cousins of Keynote and Google Slides). It is helpful to use? Can we do without? Are there alternatives? What does using PowerPoint signal to the mind of those attending? https://teachingrestored.com

Too often, as teachers, we go into a classroom thinking, "Alright. Do I have everything with me? I hope Sally isn't as distracting as she was last time. I wonder if I'll get the points across? Will they even listen?" We have all these things swimming in our minds, and yet one of the most important things to be in our minds, isn't: The fact that we have been set apart and have the power of God to teach. When we understand this, we can go in with confidence, boldness, and love knowing those who we speak with will be better for the discussion. How do we get our minds in that state? Play the Rocky theme song before? That would be kind of fun, but no. In this episode we talk about how we can prepare our minds for the teaching experience we are about to have. https://teachingrestored.com

A youth has the lesson to teach next Sunday. Do you say, "There you go!" and hope they teach a good lesson? What if they don't? How can you help them be successful? Kevin and Julie talk about how to help the youth teach classes and help to help them succeed. It's a fine line between doing it yourself and letting them go at it alone. Here is some of what is included: Personal Stories Make a Difference: Discover how incorporating personal anecdotes can enhance our lessons and talks, making them more relatable and impactful. Building Confidence First: Julie shares her strategy of starting with confidence-building before introducing deeper, challenging questions to avoid creating insecurity in students early on. Effective Preparation Techniques: Get insights on how to prepare spiritually and practically for teaching, tapping into the power of prayer, pondering, and proactive thinking. Encouraging Introspective Questions: Learn how to motivate students to ask deep, thought-provoking questions that go beyond surface-level understanding. Creating Engaging Main Points: Focus on developing a clear main point for discussions to avoid overwhelming our audience and ensure rich, meaningful dialogue. https://teachingrestored.com

"We have some people who are derailing the class, who are long winded and they contradict others. They take over the class, in a way, and disrupt the flow of what she's trying to teach, which is frustrating for every teacher." Have you ever been in that position? We all have. It's tough. So how do we deal with it? How do we create a healthy classroom culture where each member has enough trust in the others that they can share what might be intimate feelings? Kevin and Julie answer a question that was submitted and discuss ways to help turn around a classroom culture from a bit toxic and long-winded to containing psychological safety so all can participate. https://teachingrestored.com

Too many times we teach the youth and we speak at them. When we do, they shut up. They don't share. Not their feelings, not their testimonies, not anything sometimes. But if we don't talk, neither will they! So what do we do? Julie takes us through a discussion on... - What a testimony REALLY is - How do we help the youth articulate their testimony - How do we create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing it. Using the tips shared, you will find that their testimonies will flow naturally, without coercion, and they will be sincere. With practical things you can take away, we are sure you are going to love the discussion and the insights you will be able to use when you teach the Savior's youth.

How many times have we wanted to teach our family the gospel, so we model it after the classes at church? We gather everyone around and a parent leads a discussion and speaks way too much and the kids are not engaged. After a few times of doing this, they dread "family scripture study" and you want to give up. Instead of teaching the same way they learn at church, how else can we teach our family the gospel? We talk about teaching by... - Discussions - Environment - Habits - Circumstances - Example

Once you give an invitation to act on what they have learned, now what? How do we take the information and create experiences that change lives? In this episode, Julie uses the scientific process to teach us how to act and build faith. We look at Experimenting with Faith, Primary vs. Secondary Questions, Faith vs. Perfect Knowledge. Data Collection and Evidence in Faith, and much more.

How do we get the learning deep inside of us? How do we take the teachings and make them a part of who we are? The best way we have found is through experiences. This is the first topic of two talking about creating experiences for our learners. Learning information can only take us so far. If we don't use it and experience it, it can be quickly forgotten. This would be the opposite of what we want learners to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As you spend days and weeks and years teaching, your skill increases. What happens, however, when you are in a class with a teacher who hasn't had the opportunity to develop their teaching skills as you have? It might be really easy to judge them and find fault. Kevin and Julie respond to a listener's feedback who is having a hard time not judging. How do we support more and judge less? https://teachingrestored.com

When we feel the Holy Spirit, we feel something. It goes deep into us. But so can that touching video we just saw. One is the Spirit, and one is just feeling the feels. Rather than creating the feelings, how can we make sure we are inviting the Spirit to create those feelings.

Kevin and Julie give their thoughts on how to overcome "Imposter Syndrome" by looking at our callings with new eyes.

You are teaching a wonderful group and as soon as they get in the classroom they clam up. They won't talk. You ask great questions, you put people on the spot, but they still won't share with each other. It's not uncommon, right? We have all faced this before.

We all have different levels of understanding the restored gospel. Wherever we are on any given subject, we also behave at the level of understanding or below it. The difference between the two can be a bit of guilt. We know, but we don't do. So is our job as a teacher to raise the level of understanding or to help and inspire our behavior live up to our level of knowledge?

When you teach, do you try to cover all the content or do you only get to a few verses and go deep? If you did only cover a few verses, do you feel guilty for not teaching everything? Are you cheating them if you go deep?

We all know the stories of the Book of Mormon. But what if we were to really dive into the stories and understand them on a whole new level? How would that transform our teaching?

Let's dive into the intricate relationship between grace, faith, works, and salvation and clarify the often-confusing doctrines.

Are you a scripture taste tester or an "Academician"? (A word we thought Julie made up, but it's a real title!) Whichever you are, or somewhere in between, how can you reignite your scripture study habits? In this episode we discuss different ways of effective scripture study to help you become a better teacher of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

If you’ve ever wondered how to let go of your lesson plan and truly connect with your students with the Spirit, then this episode is a must-listen. Julie helps us learn how to get out of our own way and let the Spirit be the real teacher.

Let's talk about the realistic challenges and joys of teaching the gospel within the family. It's not easy. Yet it is. This episode unpacks the everyday struggles of scripture study with kids, managing expectations, and seeking divine guidance to foster a personal relationship with faith in a family environment. Kevin and Julie share personal anecdotes and gentle insights on how to approach gospel learning at home without overwhelming young minds.

How do you prepare for a gospel lesson? Well, at first you need fire in your bones! That's what Danny Rick says. Danny is a religion professor at BYU-Idaho. He shares his experience from years of teaching the gospel.

If you're called to teach or lead and feel inadequate, know this: It’s part of your growth.

What is the purpose of comments that class members may give? Is it to tell a story? To give more insight? To show how much they know? To bring in or detract from the Spirit? When is a comment helpful and when will it make it more difficult for you to teach?

You know when you need to give some feedback, but it may come across as negative, but you are only trying to help? Many of us would just let it go and move on. A few others might give the advice but it's taken in a negative way. So how do you give feedback in a way that is kind, loving, and actually unites you and the other person?

Kevin and Julie candidly share their real-world experiences of overcoming the temptation to settle into comfortable patterns and the renewed focus required to connect more effectively with the individuals they teach.

When we get feedback about our teaching, how do we take it? What if it's really straightforward, direct, and a little brutal? How do we view this?

The teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the opposite of the teachings of the precepts of men. They are the words of the Living God. Yet might we be teaching the words of God BY the precepts of men?

Have you ever asked a question and had a class go off in the wrong direction? Maybe they went off-track in overly lengthy discussions. Or maybe the class was just too chatty? In today's episode we learn one way to help focus the class so that all discussion brings us closer to Jesus Christ.

This week we interview Dr. Matthew Godfrey, the Senior Managing Historian for Outreach and Engagement in the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Previously, he served for over eight years as the managing historian of the Joseph Smith Papers Project. In this episode we discuss how to have difficult conversations about what might seem as difficult subjects of the Church.

Today we sit down with Kurt Francom. You probably know him as the host of the Leading Saints Podcast. After interviewing hundreds of people about leading in the church and teaching hundreds of times, he knows a few things about teaching. We ask him about what he has learned as he has taught the saints and what others he has interviewed have learned as well.

Recently, the Sunday School General Presidency sat down with a group of people and talked about gospel teaching. We weren't there, but we have the notes of those who were there. Thanks to LDS LIVING for sharing those notes.

Julie recently trained all the missionaries in the Vancouver, Washington mission about how to use questions in teaching as a missionary. She walks us through her teaching experiences and show us how to ask good questions so the person learning is actually teaching themselves.

In this episode we talk with Dan and Bekah Dayley where we learn how they teach with the spirit, embracing awkward pauses, and foster an atmosphere of authentic comments —all in an organic Thursday night discussion group you have to hear about!

This episode is a lesson in the art of asking questions, appropriately responding with empathy, and the profound impact these skills can have in teaching the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Recently, Kevin attended Julie's adult religion class and wrote down the questions she asked. Then in this episode, Kevin showed why her questions were brilliant - whether she knew it or not.

Let's talk about the intricate dance between simplicity and complexity in learning and teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. https://teachingrestored.com

Effective teaching is not just about what you know; it's about how well you connect with those you teach and facilitate their growth.

Julie takes us on a journey of teaching those with special needs. She provides an honest look at the fears, struggles, and triumphs that come with parenting a child who lives in the world differently.

Join us as we give in for a double feature - gospel learning and an example of how to teach talk less and teach more!

Do you dive in and teach the doctrine fully and run up against some contention and maybe even some confusion?

In this episode of Teaching Restored, Kevin & Julie dig deep into the impact that our own stories have on the way we teach, what we teach, and the relationship with those we teach. They'll challenge you to examine and, when necessary, rewrite your narratives to align with a more positive and peaceful outlook, drawing from personal experiences and spiritual insights.

Join hosts Julie Hillyard and Kevin Jones as they dive deep into the power of God's word in teaching and transforming lives. This episode is a testament to the need for embracing scriptures in our daily lives for profound experiences.

In this episode we talk with Greg and Brad Gillespie, brothers who currently both serve as seminary teachers.

In this episode, hosts Kevin Jones and Julie Hilliard dive into the often overlooked, yet incredibly powerful, art of intentional invitations.

In this episode we are going to focus on what teachers can do to prepare effective lessons.

In this episode of Teaching Restored, we talk about what Kevin calls the Ts & Cs. It has helped guid his method of teaching and sharing the restored gospel. Kevin & Julie walk through the deeper meaning of the Ts&Cs+ and find hidden gems to share information and testimony and bring the Spirit in a conversation. Grab the show notes at https://teachingrestored.com

In this episode of Teaching Restored, we tackle the common issue of lessons being derailed and provide practical advice on how to handle it.

In this episode of Teaching Restored, Kevin & Julie talk about the highlights of the October 2023 Conference from a teacher's perspective. From the power of temples to creating channels for God's love, we explore the importance of fostering good relationships and eliminating contention in our lives. We also discuss the challenges of recognizing and feeling the Spirit, addressing sensitive comments in the classroom, and the unexpected gems they found in the conference talks. Join us as we explore the practical insights and heartfelt reflections shared in this special edition episode. Get updates and connect on other platforms: https://teachingrestored.com

Join Kevin Jones and Julie Hillyard as they delve into the journey of seeking feedback to become more effective teachers. They uncover the priceless significance of both positive and constructive feedback. The essence of this practice lies in the art of posing targeted questions that pave the way for growth. By seeking the wisdom of trusted participants and embracing observations, we unearth the gems that propel our teaching journey forward.

In this episode of Teaching Restored, we dive into the transformative power of empathic listening. Join us as we explore the difference between attentive and empathic listening and discover how being vulnerable to the Spirit's guidance can enhance our teaching. Through personal stories and practical insights, we learn the importance of actively listening, summarizing responses, and providing emotional air to create a safe and engaging classroom environment. Tune in to learn how to foster understanding, gain valuable insights from others, and truly connect with our students through empathic listening.

In this question-provoking episode of Teaching Restored, we explore the profound impact of skillful questioning in the teaching process. Join us as we delve into the power of questioning assumptions and challenging beliefs, and discover how it can lead to growth and self-reflection. Through personal stories and examples, we learn how asking the right questions can foster engaging discussions, create transformative moments, and strengthen the connection between teacher and student. Elevate your teaching skills and unlock the potential for deeper learning by incorporating skillful questioning into your lessons.