Fixing a Broken Cycle

     We all know that missionaries’ schedules don’t always permit them to experience the Plan Study Teach Cycle in proper order. I was wondering what other teachers have done to help with that? When the first companionship returns from teaching in PI, do they jump into Companion Study or hold a (full or miniature) planning session? Do you allow your missionaries to do Personal Study during PI, when Syllabuddy lists Companion Study as the activity?

     Any such thoughts would be much appreciated, by me and by all my future missionaries.

Foundation of Revelation

      I've had the opportunity to ponder the study & prepare to teach activity quite a bit lately. A thought occurred to me that missionaries are building a foundation or a pattern for how they will obtain (or not) revelation during this first Thursday. I thought about how when the Salt Lake Temple was built the original foundation was limestone. It was quicker, easier, and more convenient. But it had to be torn up and a new foundation that would last centuries was put in. The granite foundation was much more work, more sacrifice, and more in line with God's plan. It made me wonder how often I am guilty of doing what is quick or easy or convenient in their first experience only to find my missionaries struggling with their cracked foundation in the second activity. To tear up, remove, and replace a pattern of revelation is not something their is truly time for in their stay here. And if the weak foundation is left it will result in constant band aid fixes from teachers and all leaders in their mission. If I am to truly help the Lord's work I must do it His way. It will take more work and sacrifice, but it will be in line with God's plan. And it will be a lasting foundation.

ok.  So in our zone we have run up against two problems.  The missionaries are struggling to develop critical thinking skills necessary for effective study.  And our missionaries are not studying.  Now this has been a consistent problem at the MTC for a LONG time.  And we have gotten some insights that we would like input on to move towards addressing this concern effectively.

 

 1.  In our current schedule (15.03) there are not clear and appointed times for the missionaries to complete all of the plan/study/teach cycle.  Therefore, they are skipping steps to just have a lesson ready.  Thus the first Thursday and Saturday Study fundamentals are diluted and not applied.  What are your thoughts on how to arrange or label the schedules more clearly to allow missionaries the opportunity to prepare.  One idea was to teach them how to look forward in their daily planning to schedule which study times will be used for which part of the cycle.  The problem with this is that the study times are not consistent or proportional to the cycle and thus the missionaries are not easily able to see when and where to do what.  ****Side note: Do we give them enough time in class to adequately prepare?  OR does the short amount of time that we give them to prepare to teach for role plays encourage them to be satisfied with surface answers and revelation?

2.  The coaching missionary study times could be used more effectively to address this problem.  First, if on the 15.03 schedule they were more evenly distributed in the first few days, they could be used to focus on an indepth study of each part of the cycle.  Many teachers use this time to study a particular doctrine.  Could it not be used as a time to study that particular doctrine by learning how to study?  Also, at what point should daily planning include calendaring study times etc.  We teach daily planning as a time to identify the needs of their investigators and their studies.  And on the first Thursday, we want them to really feel their purpose.  So at what point can it be the prepare for their studies by 1. planning what to study according to the needs of the investigator and 2. planning when those studies will happen before those teaching appointments.  ***it seems if the schedules could include more consistent (and in order) study times, this would be less of a concern as it is not something that they will have to worry about in the field most of the time.

3.  According to PMG p. 17-18.  Studying is an act of faith.  Do our missionaries understand this?  And do they truly understand what faith is?  That is requires action and struggle?  And do they have a desire to put in the effort for that struggle.  This is where the critical thinking skills seem to be lacking.  1 Nephi 10:9 says: "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them by the power of the Holy Ghost."  So, they need to diligently seek.  Pg. 17 says, "Getting good results from your study depends on having a strong desire to learn, studying with real intent, hungering and thirsting after righteousness and searching for answers to your investigator's questions and concerns."  So they need to recognize that the surface regurgitated answer is not all of it, and have a desire to look beyond what they can see to uncover what is underneath the surface.  How can this be addressed on that first thursday?  I would be very interested to hear what applications you find for this.  .....What analogies will help? maybe cleaning?  While looking at a clock that is completely covered in dust, can you see it for what it truly is?  No.  How do you come to see it clearly?  It requires faith that there is more to see and understand about what this object is and what it can do and what knowledge you need in order to be able to use it to tell time.  And it requires faith to begin cleaning and slowly uncovering the clock.  And its going to take a few minutes.  Or longer.  Do you have the patience and desire to see what is underneath?

 

 

4. Another thought.  All of the Book of Mormon Reading times and Lessons in Chapter 3 are times avaialable to increase the missionaries study skills.  Are they viewed as such?  How can we more effectively help the missionaries understand what they are acutally doing during those times.  Is it important that they see these things as such? Or will this put too much emphasis on studies and pull emphasis away from their purpose....except learning to apply faith to receive revelation to help others come unto christ IS their purpose...

Lessons in Chapter 3 tied to the Plan/Study/Teach Cycle

I recently observed a great Lessons in Chapter 3 that helped the missionaries get a jump start on teaching the doctrine. As the teacher (Bro Vogt) taught, he focused on how this lesson would help build someone's faith in Jesus Christ and the Atonement. Even during the "question on the board" section, he had the missionaries study out the answers to the questions in Chapter 3, L1 and then role-play teaching their investigator in such a way that builds their faith in Jesus Christ. Because that was the only point of reference for all of the studies and all of the practice, the missionaries began using the DOCTRINE to resolve concerns.

Also, when it was immediately followed by the Plan/Study/Teach cycle, they got another chance to use their newly acquired focus:

1. As they planned they focused on what were the investigators needs and what invitations they would extend and which lesson would best help that investigator.

2. Then as they studied that lesson, they sought to FIND their investigator IN the lesson.

3. And thus the inspiration that they brought to companionship study was inspiration on how to tailor the doctrine in the lesson to the investigator so that they would want to accept the planned invitation and take a step towards Christ.

It was an amazing thing to see happen in the first week. I'll post this on the blog too, but I just wanted to share with everyone the new insight that when used effectively, the Lessons in Chapter 3 are foundational to the missionaries knowing how and why to use the doctrine to meet the needs of the investigator, and especially how this all connected to the Plan/Study/Teach Cycle and their purpose.

Thanks!