Overcoming Obstacles- Reaching Goals

Ezra 1-6
The Persian King Cyrus released the Israelites from captivity in Babylon and allowed them to return to Jerusalem to re-build the Temple.
They face many obstacles as they were re-building of the Temple, at one point, even stopping the process due to the Samaritans' complaints about  them.
After many years of not working on the temple, King Darius, also of Persia reconfirmed King Cyrus commission for the Jews to re-build the Temple
The temple was eventually completed and dedicated.
The lesson  (#103 in the LDS Old Testament Seminary Manual) suggests using a diagram on the board of a soccer field. The made for a great application object lesson.

Application Activity and Discussion:
Obstacles can slow us down but cannot stop us from reaching our ultimate goal of eternal life.
Each student had 2 colored pieces of paper that they wrote on and pinned to their shirts.
On the bright pink, they wrote an obstacle/temptation that could keep them from their ultimate goal
On the bright blue, they wrote something they can do to remove or overcome obstacles in their lives.

We went to the gym where there are soccer goals on each end.
One of the goals was labelled with positive goals (see photo below)
Each student had their obstacle pinned to their shirts and they lined up in a strategic formation to block the goal
One student tried to kick the ball in and could not because of all the obstacles.
After a few tries, I removed some of the students (obstacles) and they covered up the paper labelled with an obstacle and pinned the paper that showed something they can do to remove or overcome obstacles in their lives. They stood behind the kicker and now cheered him on and coached him as he tried to score.
I continued to remove a few obstacles at a time and the kicker was able to get closer and closer to the goal with less and less opposition.
Eventually, all obstacles were removed and the kicker was able to score (reach his ultimate goal of eternal life)

We discussed the symbolism of re-building the Temple compared to our need for re-building (repenting)  in our lives and removing our own obstacles.
Students shared the tools they can use for removing obstacles such as daily prayer, no R-rated movies, attending Seminary, careful use of Social Media, loving others, etc.

Don't Be An Airhead

Doctrine & Covenants 130:18-19

18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

 19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

We discussed the importance of gaining knowledge from many uplifting sources and how to avoid becoming and "AIRHEAD". As students shared, they received and Airhead candy.

Give Me a Reason "Riesen"

This was an effective way to get my students searching and digging for answers this morning. 
It will work with many lessons. 
I posted a doctrine on the board and then asked them to tell me the REASON it is true backed up with a scripture (preferably from the section/verses from our lesson reading) 
When they shared the REASON, I gave them a "RIESEN" candy. 
Great discussion and interaction resulted. (And this happens to be one of my all time favorite candies!!)

When Life Gives You Lemons

We made lemonade out of lemons today as we studied the Saints arrival in Commerce, Illinois  and began to settle and build the city of Nauvoo after being expelled from Missouri.
The land was a swamp infested with mosquitos and many of the Saints contracted malaria, including Joseph Smith.
In spite of these circumstances, they cared for one another, worked to build their new home, dug ditches, and drained water from the swamps to the river, which made the land more usable and greatly reduced the mosquito problem.
Eventually, they built homes, businesses, schools, and other structures, including the Nauvoo Temple, which was considered by some to be one of the finest buildings in the country.

The Saints decided to improve the circumstances around them, which improved them as individuals, drawing them closer to Jesus Christ.

We discussed the lemons in our lives and how we can over come them and turn them into lemonade (strengths)

I gave each student a whole lemon and asked them how they could turn it in to lemonade.
A few answered, add sugar, etc.
Finally one said, cut the lemon.
I asked with what?
The student asked for a knife so I gave her a plastic knife and told her to cut it. At first it was difficult, but she got the job done.
She started to squeeze the lemon with her hands, with the juice dripping in to a cup.

We related this to using the tools that are available and making the best of our circumstances.
Then I brought out:
First, a better knife
Second, a hand juicer
Third, an electric juicer

We discussed each tool and how they would all get the job done, we just had to use them and have a positive expectation.

Each student  juiced their lemon with one of the tools, poured their lemon juice in a cup and added water.
I told them that was lemonade and to go ahead and return to their seats and enjoy it.

Quickly, they pointed out that it was sour and they needed sugar, to which I brought out a jar of "ATTITUDE": aka sugar.
I gave each of them a spoon and we related this to the positive attitude necessary to improve circumstances.
We did a lot of relating the Saints' circumstances to our own lemons vs lemonade experiences.
We concluded that a strong faith in Christ helped them through trials (lemons) just as a strong faith in Christ will help us do the same.

Adapt this lesson for teaching overcoming trials.

One Step at a Time

Grace to Grace
Doctrine and Covenants 93: 1-20 (Lesson 97 in Seminary Doctrine and Covenants Teacher Manual)
We have John's testimony of how Christ became like His Father and received the fulness of His Father's glory.
He became like His father, one step at a time, grace to grace
We, too, may become like our Heavenly Father, one step at a time, grace to grace.

To demonstrate this principle, I set up a ladder in our classroom and asked a student to climb to the top.
At first, the student was very willing, until I told him he could not use the steps.
We discussed how difficult this would be.
After some discussion, I had the students write on sticky notes the steps they need to take to receive the fulness of our Heavenly Father's glory.
We discussed the things they wrote down and then they placed the notes on the steps of the ladder, emphasizing the importance of each step.
As part of the discussion, we read this quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith.
(this is where I got the idea to use a ladder rather than have them just come up to the chalkboard and write their answers)
If you dont have access to a ladder, a small step stool will work or you can place stepping stones on the floor and ask them to go from start to finish without stepping off the stones, etc.
The students can label the stones just as we labeled the steps on the ladder.
There are lots of adaptations.

The following statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith clarifies one aspect of growing from grace to grace until we receive a fulness:

“It is not wisdom that we should have all knowledge at once presented before us; but that we should have a little at a time; then we can comprehend it. When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268).

Happy Teaching!

Delegation Object Lesson

In Acts, the principle of delegation is taught as the Church is growing. Peter and the Apostles called 7 men to assist in administering the temporal needs of the Church (one of them was Stephen).
I compared this pattern of delegation to the Church today where Bishops have counselors, Quorum and Auxilliary Presidents, Teachers, Home Teachers, Visiting Teachers, etc.
This is what I used for the object lesson (wish I would remember to snap a photo during class-but it doesn't feel right to stop what I am doing. Perhaps I need to assign this to one of my students)

• 2 plastic pails (large enough that they will get heavy when filled with water)
• 2-3 Pitchers of water (optional-label them "needs of a Ward')
• Call a student up front and designate or label them "Bishop"
• Have him/her stand with arms stretched out straight to each side.
• Place an empty bucket on each hand
• Instruct student that no matter what, his arms must stay straight as he is leading the Ward.
• Have class start naming all the different needs in a ward and who the leaders and teachers are who help with each need. 
• With each need, pour a small amount of water in each bucket. 
• Continue naming needs such as teaching Primary, giving blessings, administering the sacrament, helping a family who needs food, teaching the youth, youth activities, scout leaders, camp fundraisers, etc. 
• The buckets will get very heavy and the "Bishop" tries to hold his arms straight and lead the ward alone.
• Call up 2 "counselors" to help support the buckets
• Discuss how much easier it is with help
• Continue to fill the buckets
• As they get heavier, call up a "Primary President", "Scout Leader", "Seminary Teacher", etc. to demonstrate that the more people who support, the easier the load is to carry.
• You can place labels on the "Bishop" and "Counselors', etc. but not necessary to be effective.

This was an effective way to open the discussion regarding delegation, supporting our leaders, every calling is important, all of us doing our part, etc.

This can be adapted for families when teaching the principle of working together and all members of the family doing their part.

Seminary In My Pocket

Seminary In My Pocket

This is my 7th week teaching Seminary at Six AM. I LOVE it! I have 24 amazing students. 

The first lesson, I gave each student a rock to keep in their pocket as a reminder of our lesson that day. Little did I know that "Seminary In My Pocket" had been born.

I shared a story with them about an experience I had when I visited the death camps in Poland and showed them a rough, rugged rock I found while I was there that had one shiny side and could be easily over looked. I compared it to people in our lives who may appear rough and rugged, yet if we will look at them the way Christ does, we will be able to find something "shiny" about them.

To remind them to look for the shiny side in everyone, I gave each of them a shiny rock to put in their pockets. I told them that each time they reached inside their pocket and felt that rock, to remember to view people as Christ does and always look for the good (the shiny) Seven weeks later, they are still showing me their rocks (a few have asked for replacements when they can't find theirs) Read on for more ideas...

You can use rocks with so many object lessons (Build upon my rock, solid testimony, etc)

 When we discussed Temptations of Christ and our own personal temptations, I gave each of them a rubber band to wear and told them to memorize something that they could keep in their minds that would push bad thoughts out (a Scripture, the Sacrament prayer, the Young Women Theme, a Hymn, etc. are some of the ideas we came up with for memorization) When they have a bad thought or are tempted to do something wrong, I told them to snap the rubber band and recite whatever they memorized to bring their mind and spirit back to Christ. (That was 4 weeks ago and they are still wearing them)

When we learned about the widow's mite and sacrifice, I gave them a penny for their pockets

 When we learned about choosing our words carefully and using uplifting language, I gave them a button. They were challenged to know when to keep their lips "buttoned" and when to open their mouths and share uplifting words of love and encouragement.

Last week, they received plastic spiders  as we discussed honesty and not getting caught in webs of deceit and lying. I challenged them to not weave their own personal webs like spiders do. We also did a fun group activity with yarn as we were standing in a circle and the yarn represented lying and dishonesty. We passed the yarn back and forth as we discussed lies and deceit until no one could move inside the circle due to all the lying and dishonesty. It was interesting to see the kids figure out that if they crawled down low, they could avoid the webs, yet it was awkward for them so I reminded them of how awkward it becomes when you have to constantly think of ways to avoid your own messes (webs)

 25 Scripture Mastery Scriptures= 1 Quarter with a red happy face painted on the back. I told them that there are 25 scriptures set apart from the others that they are to know inside and out this Seminary year. The other scriptures are valuable and for our benefit, but the 25 Scripture Mastery scriptures are to "stand out" in their hearts and minds. I used red nail polish to paint a simple happy face on the back of each quarter to make it "stand out" from the other quarters that they may have in their pockets that are also valuable.

Parable of the Sower. To represent the seeds, I gave them a popcorn kernel. I knew it would not sprout or break apart in their pockets as they year goes on. I really wanted to give them some beautiful black soil from Belle Glade, Florida (right next to where we live) but I was not sure how that would last through one school day, although I am still trying...

I dont have one specific day of the week I give them an item for their pockets, in fact, there will most likely be weeks that I don't give them anything. The items always go with a lesson and are designed to reinforce what we learn in Seminary. It is way for my students to carry a tangible reminder of Seminary throughout the day. At first, I thought they would throw the items away, but a day does not go by without a student showing me the items from their pockets. 

I have had the experience of  sitting in Sacrament Meeting and one of my students will catch my attention to show me they are wearing their rubber band. It has become "cool" to have all these little things that most teenagers would have lost or thrown away by now.

Most of my students are the only Latter day Saint in their schools. As they leave our class each day, it is my goal to send them armed with the spirit. I know these little reminders in their pockets are an effective way to re-inforce their experiences in Seminary class.

As I add more items to their pockets, I will share.

At the end of this week, I have a small drawstring fabric bag for each student who would like to keep their items in it. I know this will work better for some of them who don't have pockets or do not want to move their items from pocket to pocket each day. 

I ordered the bags from HERE . I wanted to make them, but this was a great price and the bags are the perfect size. I am going to write each students' name on their bag with a sharpie marker.

Please share any ideas you have for "Seminary In My Pocket" in the comment section below or

email me at shaunahh at gmail dot com