District Council Lesson

 Teaching with the Spirit

Don’t Think-Just Do

Intro:  Don’t Think - Just Do.

Introduce Movie clip: 

In 1986, the movie Top Gun was released. Pete Mitchell, aka Maverick, played by Tom Cruise, is a fighter pilot in training.  He flies with his best friend Goose. For those that don’t know what happens in this movie, Goose dies during a training exercise and Maverick feels responsible. Maverick goes on to graduate Top Gun. Movie over.

In the summer of 2022, nearly 40 years later, a sequel was released.   This time, Pete Mitchell, aka Maverick, is training new recruits - one of which is Goose’s son, Bradley Bradshaw, aka Rooster, played by Milles Teller. 

Maverick spends most of the movie training the young men, showing off a little, and of course trying to protect Goose’s son, Rooster. Near the end of the show, the two men are in a dog fight trying to out fly the bad guys.  

Show the video clip. 

("Don't think. Just do." - Top Gun: Maverick) stop at 2:02

        https://youtu.be/6YaH04MZRmg?si=QRWbzuDKwFNwdAyx

ASK: What does Rooster mean when he says; “Don’t Think. Just Do.”?

Rely on what you know.

Let your knowledge and instinct take over.

I have been asked to discuss how we can better teach with the spirit! Sometimes finding and teaching can feel like a spiritual dog fight. 

ASK:  Any thoughts on how this movie clip applies to teaching with the spirit?

Rely on what you know

Let the spirit do the rest. 

I want to break this down into three categories. 

1. Know your message
2. Know who you’re teaching 
3. Don’t Think-Just Do

1. Know Your Message

This first one is pretty obvious.  We have to know our message. 

In the movie, Maverick and Rooster have trained for this dog fight. They are familiar with the jet, its gauges, and how to make it work in the best way possible.  They know how to fly.  They’ve done their research. 

ASK: Have we as missionaries done our research?

As missionaries we did a lot of our training at home.  

Then we spent time in the MTC learning and perfecting the message. 

We continue to study and train in our apartments each morning with companionship and personal study.  

We are constantly praying and adding to our understanding and knowledge - line upon line. 

I know I rely on Elder Walker when I get stumped on scriptures.  I learn everyday from him and his knowledge.  

READ: Doctrine and Covenants 11:21 we learn the process the Lord has set for teaching with the spirit. 

21 Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, … and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.

To “obtain” the Lord’s word means to study it and let it sink deep in your heart. As you make this effort, He promised, “Then shall your tongue be loosed; …” 

We as missionaries must know our message.  We must know that the principles we teach are true.  The Lord will help us teach with power and authority as we diligently seek Him and learn His word. 

Ask: Does anyone want to add to this?

2. Know Who You’re Teaching

a. BRT 

b. Listen

c. Converse

Seeking to teach as the Savior taught is a lifelong pursuit.  But to be able to TEACH like the Savior we first need to LOVE like the Savior.  

In Matthew 4(:23) we learn that during Christ earthly ministry, He taught in many settings such as synagogues, in homes, on the road, in large gatherings and in private conversations. We know some of His most powerful interactions were very brief or in unusual settings.

His message didn’t change but HOW he taught did. He taught using specific actions or words depending on WHO he was teaching. 

WRITE: BRT (Build a relationship of trust)

When talking about the people we are teaching, Elder Jeffrey R Holland says; These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. 

The people we meet are REAL PEOPLE with real lives and real problems.  Those who let us in their homes and into their lives are seeking something and are willing to listen. But they need to trust us. 

We have all heard the saying:

“People don’t CARE how much you KNOW

until they KNOW how much you CARE.”

ASK: How do we do this?

Learn about them.  

Ask about them. 

Compliment them. 

Learn what they like, what they don’t like.  

Know what is happening with their lives (family, school, work, etc.)

Find things in common.  Look around their homes for anything you can ask about (family photos, sports teams, pets, art work, musical instruments, etc.)

Build a relationship of trust.  Make them your friend first.  Then………. if the setting is right, ask deeper questions such as:

what their fears are 

what they yearn for

what they feel is missing in their lives. 

I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more.

WRITE: Listen

READ: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: 

“More important than speaking is listening. … Ask these  friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and  what do they hold dear? And then LISTEN. 

ASK: How do we better Listen to those we are teaching?

Listen with Genuine Caring  

Listen with INTENT. 

While others talk, make sure you are concentrating on what they are saying. 

Avoid the tendency to be planning what you will say next. 

WRITE: Have a CONVERSATION

My grandpa used to talk about learning the “Art of Conversation”. 

ASK: Anyone care to guess what that means?  

Don't think about what you're gonna say beforehand. 

Let it come to you

Just talk as you would with a friend from home. 

Just talk!! If God wanted ROBOTS to preach His gospel He would have created them.  But that isn’t how He works.  There is a reason He has an Elder Walker and a Sister Perkins.  We all have our own set of strengths and weaknesses.  We have our own experiences to share.  We all have our own unique personalities. 

If we go in with a memorized plan it can often come across “rehearsed” and insincere.  If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit and by our friends.

I know this can be scary and we sometimes doubt ourselves and think that we are not qualified. However, our Heavenly Father, who knows us perfectly, called us because of what we can offer as a committed follower of Jesus Christ. He will not forsake us.

Ask: Does anyone want to add to this?

3. Don’t Think - Just Do

Finally, we have been PROMISED that as we teach the restored gospel and rely on the Lord for help in doing such, He will be there.

READ: Doctrine and Covenants 84:88

“And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up”.

TRUST the process.  

If you KNOW YOUR MESSAGE and KNOW WHO YOU ARE TEACHING - If you have done your part and INVITED the spirit to be there - the only thing left is to TRUST that the Spirit will magnify your abilities and will teach the truth to those who are receptive. 

Don’t think - Just Do!

Conclusion:

The spirit is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of our work.

Rely on the Spirit to help you know what to say. 

He will bring the doctrine you have studied to your remembrance. 

He will help you plan and adjust what you teach according to a person’s needs. 

When you teach by the Spirit, He will carry your message unto people’s hearts. And He will confirm your message when you bear your testimony.

I challenge us all to spend the week trying this.  Don't think - Just Do.  I know the spirit will give you the words and touch the hearts of those you teach.