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!
