Teaching is motivating, and motivation is the core of leadership. Instructors must to take the right approach to make sure those in the class are engaged and inspired. The purpose of Teaching Helps posts are not to summarize the lesson content, but rather a summary of ideas of how to create engagement during the lesson. Remember to start each lesson with a Priming the Pump exercise to stimulate class participation throughout your lesson.
Chapter 6: The Significance of the Sacrament
Idea 1: Sacrament Meeting Assignment
This lesson is on the sacrament ordinance which everyone will be able to participate in during sacrament meeting. Use the sacrament meeting time to get the class members thinking on a deeper level about the topic. This will require you to get to church a little early but it will result in a comment filled classroom experience when time comes for you to teach.
Idea 2: Finding the Purpose of the Sacrament
Ask a class member to stand and read the sacrament prayers in D&C 20:77 & 79. As he or she reads these prayers ask the class members to identify the four purposes of the sacrament. Write them on the board and encourage further discussion. These are listed in section three of chapter six of the Joseph Fielding Smith manual.
Idea 3: Review Handbook 2’s Sacrament Ordination Guidelines (Handbook 2 – 20.4)
This may be especially effective to do in Relief Society as many sisters may not be as familiar with the detailed protocols of this ordinance. You could do this by simply quizzing the class on the following questions and see how many know the answers. This could easily stimulate further discussion and teach the class details they didn’t know before about the sacrament ordinance.
- Under whose direction is the sacrament performed? (the bishopric)
- Who has the responsibility to make sure there are priesthood holder to pass the sacrament? (deacon’s quorum president)
- Should Melchizedek Priesthood holders pass the sacrament when there are worthy Aaronic Priesthood holders available? (No)
- Is the a recommended dress standard for those blessing and passing the sacrament? (Yes, white shirt and tie–not mandatory)
- Can the sacrament ordinance be performed in a too formal nature? (yes, 20.4.1 paragraph 7)
- Should the sacrament only be passed to members of the church? (no)
- Are vocal solos or instrumental appropriate instead of a sacramental congregational hymn? (no)
- Is it required that the priesthood holder kneels when blessing the sacrament? (yes)
- Light organ music is appropriate during the passing of the sacrament? (no)
