Teach by the Spirit: 5 Principles of Effective Teaching and Learning

# Teach by the Spirit

Learners and teachers at BYU-Idaho understand that true teaching is done by and with the Holy Ghost.

## The Role of The Holy Ghost

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have been commanded to receive the Holy Ghost. No matter what subject we study, whether spiritual or temporal, the Holy Ghost may instruct us as to the truths contained therein. Through instruction by the Spirit, our learning can be tailor-made for our personal development. We recognize that as we keep the commandments of God we will receive the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Ghost in all our learning and teaching.

## Insights From Students

The Spirit Comes

On Now

The Spirit Comes

1:07

On Now

The Spirit is the True Teacher

0:30

On Now

Preparation with the Spirit

0:27

## Additional Resources

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Moroni 10:5 
 
"Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth? Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." D&C 50:21-22 
 
"Let thy bowels... be full of charity towards all men... and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.... The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion."D&C 121:45-46 
 
"For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will-yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man." D&C 76:10

Let the Holy Spirit Guide | Hymn #143 
 
Help Me Teach with Inspiration | Hymn #281

****Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 1997, p. 259**** 
"The Holy Ghost... can teach men things that they cannot teach one another." 
 
****Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, edited by Bruce R. McConkie, p. 48**** 
"Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fiber and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten." 
 
****Jeffrey R. Holland, "Teaching, Preaching, Healing," Ensign, Jan. 2003, pp. 38, 41**** 
"Please teach by the Holy Spirit. If we do not teach that way, then by scriptural definition we are teaching 'some other way' (D&C 50:17). And any other way 'is not of God' (D&C 50: 20). Give your students the opportunity for a spiritual experience in every way you can.... The scriptures say, 'The Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach' (D&C 42:14).... These are God's students, not yours."

- Pray for the Spirit individually and collectively. Through prayer we invite the Holy Ghost literally to teach us in all situations.
- Seek for, recognize, and act immediately upon inspiration.
- Keep the commandments and live in accordance with gospel principles so the Holy Ghost will be a constant companion.
- Avoid contention in our homes, in social settings, and in the classroom.
- Seek the truth, or understanding, of academic topics with the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
- Prepare for class with the Spirit ('treasure up in your minds'); then in class, act under the inspiration of the Spirit to ask questions, make comments, and share insights ('it shall be given you in the very hour' D&C 84:85).

- Listening closely to a student's response, a teacher receives a flow of intelligence regarding the discussion problem.
- An insight that comes to a learner as he prayerfully ponders a difficult problem leads him to frame a hypothesis and conduct confirmatory research.
- While summarizing her notes from a class, a student sees clearly the relationship between what was said in the class and the work she will do as an intern next semester.
- A student opens the course syllabus to find a variety of choices for writing projects during the term. He seeks and receives the inspiration of the Holy Ghost in choosing learning experiences most effective for him individually.
- Using skills of counterpoint and orchestration, a student composer works out a musical theme that came in response to prayerful meditation.

- Am I personally prepared to learn and teach by the Holy Ghost?
- Do I utilize teaching and learning methods that guide students to seek and receive revelation, or do I just disseminate information?
- Are course expectations and requirements designed to encourage the learner to seek guidance from the Holy Ghost?