Comments on: How do you teach people to not Suck and not be Boring?

By: trevor

trevor — Sat, 09 May 2009 20:30:40 +0000

i’m not going to lie, i didn’t read the replies to the post, but, i have always wanted to use the 3 parts from indiana jones and the last crusade where he has to go through the 3 tests at the end to save his dad and all that junk. you know, “only the penitent man will pass. a penitent man is humble, a humble man kneels before God… KNEEL (blades swipe over his head and behind him as he rolls forward.)” oh man…

i recently returned from a mission in July, and i always told Elders and Sisters in my zones and districts to just be themselves. Don’t be a robot, add your personality into what you are teaching, and teach it how you see it.

i love the blog, BTW.

By: J Golden

J Golden — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:06:25 +0000

Jacob,
I agree with you. It seems clear that he has an excruciatingly boring personality. To me that is what makes his lectures so interesting. You can see how he uses his techniques to make his lecture tolerable, or even good. You can only imagine how dry and boring he would be had he not taught himself these techniques. He just is devoid of charm or energy. If a natural speaker can learn his techniques I think you’ll have a dynamite presentor. Sounds like you are well on your way.

By: Jacob J

Jacob J — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:17:50 +0000

J Golden,

Well, I gave several hours of lecture this week so I watched the videos to grade myself and see if there were some ideas I could use. Overall I feel pretty good since I used most of the techniques he talks about, but there were some good things I picked up as well. I like his comments on stopping. It is kind of funny that I don’t think is was a particularly great lecture, but it still had some good stuff.

By: J Golden

J Golden — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:53:25 +0000

better link http://www.lds-ym.com

By: J Golden

J Golden — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:52:11 +0000

This is a great topic.

I have posted a video that will improve your Quorum instruction and any Sacrament Talk.
Check it out over at LDS-YM.com

I believe is the best how-to-teach video available. It is 45 minutes, and done by an MIT Professor and it is well worth anyone’s time.

By: Jacob J

Jacob J — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:39:27 +0000

And I am never going to say â€œDonâ€™t suck and Donâ€™t be boringâ€ ever again.

Never say never. You get to sit through one of their lessons every other week, so it could get quite tempting.

By: Matt W.

Matt W. — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:02:07 +0000

For anyone interested, here is what we decided as a group.

The Young Men decided our number one priority should be unity and brotherhood and everything else should focus around that.

They still like teaching lessons and will teach twice a month. (1st and 3rd sundays) I will teach on the 2nd Sunday from “Teaching, No Greater Calling” (That was the Bishoprics’ idea) and my Secretary and 1st Councilor will trade off teaching the 4th Sunday.

We are going to use selected lessons from the Aaronic Priesthood Manual, but are skipping around, so we can focus on the more interesting lessons.

And I am never going to say “Don’t suck and Don’t be boring” ever again.

By: Bold California

Bold California — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:36:00 +0000

Ha Matt – Great Post.

I’m the Scoutmaster in my ward. Every Tuesday night after tons of prep work and anxiety, as drive to the church with my sons – they always challenge at the last minute -”Dad- will tonights activity be boring?”

In one minute in the car – I find myself making radical changes to my plans as we drive up to the church building. Never fails.

By: Jacob J

Jacob J — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:39:09 +0000

jeans,

You made me think of the perfect solution. The priests should take turns teaching the Laurels and vice-versa. This would give them a good reason to care about looking stupid and being a terrible teacher. Having been motivated thusly, Matt can swoop in with some timely teaching advice.

By: jeans

jeans — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:59:34 +0000

Geoff J @ 46: right on.