New Adult Sunday School being piloted

[Anonymous]

I saw this online and wanted to share it:

A Thoughtful Faith Support Group wrote:

Is anyone else’s Stake participating in the pilot test for new Sunday School curriculum for adults? From what was read in our a Sacrament Meeting the curriculum is similar to that now being taught to the youth. It will go through March. There’s a website where those involved are encouraged to provide anonymous feedback each week on how they feel the lesson went, did you feel the spirit, was your testimony strengthened, any concerns or ideas/suggestions.

…

So is it topical, like the youth curriculum, or are you still going through the scriptures (old testament right now)?

…

It’s topical, they’re asking everyone to get up 1/2 hour early every morning and study the topic for the next week so there can be real discussions on Sunday. I guess that’s where they’re expecting the continued scripture study. I’m excited to see what happens. If it goes well, sounds like it the whole church will do the same in 2015.

Exciting

[Anonymous]

mackay11 wrote:

It’s topical, they’re asking everyone to get up 1/2 hour early every morning and study the topic for the next week so there can be real discussions on Sunday.

A Presbyterian neighbor invited me to her bible study, and I went for awhile. It was an impressive operation with a curriculum – readings, lecture, worksheet, small group, etc. But the strict rule in the small group was that you couldn’t speak in the discussion unless you had done the reading and the worksheet. I remember feeling pretty sheepish about my slack approach to my LDS “bible study” every Sunday.

Thanks for sharing this. I was happy today to see my daughter excited about Sunday School. A boy in her class taught a great lesson and she’s looking forward to her turn.

[Anonymous]

mackay11 wrote:

It’s topical, they’re asking everyone to get up 1/2 hour early every morning and study the topic for the next week so there can be real discussions on Sunday. I guess that’s where they’re expecting the continued scripture study. I’m excited to see what happens. If it goes well, sounds like it the whole church will do the same in 2015.

I can see that going over real big with the ward members who are already getting up at 5:30 or 6:00 for 9:00 a.m. church. 😆

[Anonymous]

I’m skeptical. The reality is that we have had perfectly good GD manuals for years. It’s our teachers that blandify everything. Asking people to spend extra time studying in order to come to SS prepared for a discussion is an obvious way for improvement that would work under the already-existing curriculum. Last time I was GD teacher, this was something that I was able to get people to do and it made a world of difference. In other words, you could take the curriculum from the 70’s and make even that interesting with the right teacher and preparation of the participants.

I’m also very worried that a topical approach would obliterate our once-every-four-years study of the NT. Seriously, it is the only time that most members of the Church ever hear the cornerstones of Christianity.

[Anonymous]

On Own Now wrote:

I’m skeptical. The reality is that we have had perfectly good GD manuals for years. It’s our teachers that blandify everything. Asking people to spend extra time studying in order to come to SS prepared for a discussion is an obvious way for improvement that would work under the already-existing curriculum. Last time I was GD teacher, this was something that I was able to get people to do and it made a world of difference. In other words, you could take the curriculum from the 70’s and make even that interesting with the right teacher and preparation of the participants.

I’m also very worried that a topical approach would obliterate our once-every-four-years study of the NT. Seriously, it is the only time that most members of the Church ever hear the cornerstones of Christianity.

Hmmm… I’d not thought of that. We already have a ‘thematic’ lesson cycle in teachings of the presidents. Essentially we teach the same 40-50 lesson per year (God the Father, Forgiveness, Priesthood etc) with quotes from different people, supported by the same scriptures.

I agree it would be a shame to loose a focus on the NT, it would also be a shame if they took it as a chance to brush even more of the church history out of it than the D&C year already does.

Curtis might be able to help us out here as he’s teaching a similar curriculum to the youth. It would be interesting to know if he feels the manual demand a better lesson or if it’s still dependent on the teacher being effective.

[Anonymous]

I’m all for this idea. I believe the youth curriculum is a big improvement over the previous version and if the adult curriculum is anything like that it will be better. I do agree that teachers can make or break it, but even if several people really do read and are prepared for discussion it would make a difference – prepared students can heavily influence lessons. And, the emphasis on technology (as a tool, not a crutch or replacement for the teacher) like they have done with the youth is also needed.

[Anonymous]

I am excited about the idea. I started a thread on the new adult curriculum awhile ago, mostly just that I heard it was being written. I don’t know how to bump threads or I’d add it here. I will be interested to see how it becomes implemented.

[Anonymous]

mom3 wrote:

I am excited about the idea. I started a thread on the new adult curriculum awhile ago, mostly just that I heard it was being written. I don’t know how to bump threads or I’d add it here. I will be interested to see how it becomes implemented.

You can bump a thread just by adding a comment, it will then come to the top.

[Anonymous]

Joni wrote:

mackay11 wrote:

It’s topical, they’re asking everyone to get up 1/2 hour early every morning and study the topic for the next week so there can be real discussions on Sunday. I guess that’s where they’re expecting the continued scripture study. I’m excited to see what happens. If it goes well, sounds like it the whole church will do the same in 2015.

I can see that going over real big with the ward members who are already getting up at 5:30 or 6:00 for 9:00 a.m. church. 😆

I find it hard enough getting up at 10:30!

Thanks for info Mac, it does sound exciting.

Any way to stop the same people answering the same questions every month?

I do see some exciting things happening in the church. It makes it more interesting, and takes it away from the bland correlation nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Quote:

Any way to stop the same people answering the same questions every month?

Back when I was more TBM, I used to throw out what I thought were crazy answers or questions just to see if I could get others to comment. Unfortunately, I failed 95% of the time. I even tried answering all the question and reading all the scriptures in one SS class one sunday, just to see if I could… one person volunteered to read one scripture before I could… I guess my question is how do you get people to speak up. I have since stopped speaking up unless it is obvious to me that no one else will and I start to feel sorry for the teacher. To me it is obvious you have to create and and promote an environment where they feel comfortable speaking up, but, how do you do that?

[Anonymous]

I don’t think anything has grabbed my attention faster on this board than “New Adult Sunday School being piolted”

So excited for this. My stake has something like an adult BofM class, but I was bummed to find out they meet Wednesday mornings I’m all for this. Hope to see it come to fruition.

[Anonymous]

Oneofmany wrote:

DarkJedi wrote:

Any way to stop the same people answering the same questions every month?

Back when I was more TBM, I used to throw out what I thought were crazy answers or questions just to see if I could get others to comment. Unfortunately, I failed 95% of the time. I even tried answering all the question and reading all the scriptures in one SS class one sunday, just to see if I could… one person volunteered to read one scripture before I could… I guess my question is how do you get people to speak up. I have since stopped speaking up unless it is obvious to me that no one else will and I start to feel sorry for the teacher. To me it is obvious you have to create and and promote an environment where they feel comfortable speaking up, but, how do you do that?

I never said that, and probably because I know the answer. I’m just not sure that’s the question.

[Anonymous]

Oneofmany wrote:

DarkJedi wrote:

Any way to stop the same people answering the same questions every month?

Back when I was more TBM, I used to throw out what I thought were crazy answers or questions just to see if I could get others to comment. Unfortunately, I failed 95% of the time. I even tried answering all the question and reading all the scriptures in one SS class one sunday, just to see if I could… one person volunteered to read one scripture before I could… I guess my question is how do you get people to speak up. I have since stopped speaking up unless it is obvious to me that no one else will and I start to feel sorry for the teacher. To me it is obvious you have to create and and promote an environment where they feel comfortable speaking up, but, how do you do that?

DarkJedi wrote:

I never said that, and probably because I know the answer. I’m just not sure that’s the question.

It was SamBee who said that, not DarkJedi. Be careful with your quotes.

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