Stake SS Training - Aug 23, 2019

We had the opportunity to receive Regional Training this week from the General SS president, Mark L Pace, who was in Winnipeg Manitoba and broadcasting to Western Canada.

Below are some of the highlights to be aware of if you weren't able to attend.

• A sister spoke about how the Come Follow Me program has made a difference for her family. She shared a quote that was insightful: "Come Follow Me changes should be seen not as shortening church by an hour, but rather extending church to 6 days a week". 

• This sister also shared a story of boating and tubing with her grandfather and how the goal was for him to try to "ditch" whoever was riding the tube. After creating great swells of waves, her grandfather took her right through the middle and sent her flying. She talked about skipping across the water 3 times before settling in the water. She talked about the Come Follow Me as being an opportunity to slow down and settle more deeply into the gospel vs. just skimming or skipping across the surface.

• A brother then shared a story of having to redo his driveway and having to dig deep and put down a strong foundation, comparing this to our gospel foundations. President Pace commenting on this discussed how temples are built with pilings that go deep down until they hit bedrock. Our goal as teachers and helping teachers is to be able to teach in a way that drives peoples testimonies deep into the bedrock of the Savior.
• We get out of our gospel study what we put in

• We were encouraged from several recent quotes from President Nelson to make our homes centers of gospel learning.
• Alma 49:11 - We can be Moroni's for our family, anticipating and preparing for the attacks of Satan.

Teacher Council Meeting training

• Once a quarter. Ward counsel determines with the SS presidency how best to do this. Eg. alternating Sundays with the teachers who are not teaching that Sunday. Do the youth and primary teachers need separate meetings? Do you hold a teacher council meeting once a month with each different group?
• Teacher council consists of more than just expressing concerns and opinions about how to solve them.
• A section of teacher training should be teaching and discussing lessons from "Teaching in the Savior's way.
• We encourage SS presidents to make sure every teacher in the ward has a copy of or knows how to access and study the "Teaching in the Savior's way" booklet
• We encourage you to review the training on the church website here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teaching-in-the-saviors-way/teacher-council-meetings?lang=eng