My Teaching Matters
By Linsey Jensen
Mother-daughter duo Leslie Johnson and Linsey Jensen share their experiences, giving LDS parents actionable tips and tricks and helping us gain the tools and confidence we need to step away from lectures and learn to teach Come, Follow Me in a way that allows our families to experience the power of Christ.
Your Teaching Matters!
My Teaching MattersApr 15, 2021
089 God Wants to Help
Remember those times when your two year old wants to get herself dressed and she does not want any help from you? she gets to the point where she’s pulling the shirt over her head, but she’s stuck because she’s trying to push her head through the arm hole instead of the neck hole. The harder she pulls the more frustrated she becomes until finally she cries out “HELP!”
In today’s episode, we are going to talk about our new theme, “God Wants to Help”. God really does want to help us, but sometimes we are too stubborn or proud to ask for His help. Once we can humble ourselves enough to ask for God’s help, we will be amazed at how the blessings flow.
Join us today as we look at how we can learn for ourselves and teach our children that God does want to help.
If you would like to receive the monthly theme and experiences, email us at Linsey@myteachingmatters.com
088 Facilitating Self-Learning Through Questions
What causes a lesson to be engaging versus boring?
In today’s episode, we talk about the four levels of questions and how we can use them to help elevate our lessons to be more interactive and more meaningful for our families.
Asking the right types of questions can create a framework that allows us to help our children learn without giving them the answer. Kind of like teaching your child how to figure out what 9 X 8 is rather than just giving them the answer.
Questions are a powerful tool for teaching.
087 Teaching Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World
We all have heard of family feuds that have lasted for years or generations, even to the point that no one remembers what the original grievance was about. History records the stories of Romeo and Juliet’s families, the Capulets and the Montagues or the Hatfields and Mccoys.
Even the bible tells stories of Jacob and Esau, Leah and Rachel, and Joseph being sold into Egypt by his brothers. These stories all illustrate that jealousy can lead quickly to many other unkind and hurtful choices.
However, some people chose forgiveness and that forgiveness allowed healing and love to flow unrestrained.
In a world filled with contempt and contention, how can we teach our children to use the power of forgiveness to free them from the negative feelings of anger, frustration and contempt ? How can we choose to forgive more and be jealous less?
Join us in today’s discussion as we look at how we can create experiences that will help teach our children not only WHY they should forgive, but also HOW they can forgive.
Want to join us in our upcoming Children Who Know Challenge? Be sure to get on our mailing list so you don’t miss this amazing experience.
Email us at linsey@mytheachingmatters.com or join our Facebook group, Come Follow Me - Intentionally teaching our children and youth.
086 What is Driving You Crazy at Home and How Your Scripture Study Can Help
What is happening right now in your family that is driving you crazy? Maybe you have a child who has a problem not telling the truth, or maybe your kids aren’t getting their chores done in a timely manner, or getting them done at all. Maybe you have children who are extremely concerned about everything being fair, (heaven forbid one child should get more fruit loops than another!), or maybe one of your children is afraid to try new things and it’s DRIVING YOU CRAZY!
What if your scripture study time was also time spent teaching your children things like responsibility, courage, honesty, forgiveness or love? How would your family life be better if your kids actually learned to LIVE some of these values?
In today’s episode, Linsey and I look at how when we combine our physical challenges with spiritual principles, we can actually use the scriptures to help us combat things that are DRIVING US CRAZY today while at the same time, building a solid foundation of spiritual understanding for our children.
085 I Can Keep My Promises - Stories from the Old Testament
Have any of you ever asked yourselves one of these questions?
How do I get my child to stop lying? What can I do to help my child follow through on what he says he will do? How can I teach my children to be more dependable and responsible? Well, if you have…. You’re in good company. I don’t know of a family yet who hasn’t had issues with one of these values.
This next month we are going to be focusing on how we can teach our children to keep their promises. Whether it is keeping their word when they said they would clean their room, or a commitment to remember to put their clothes away, or a resolve to tell the truth, or most importantly a promise to obey God’s commandments when they are baptized.
Whatever angle you want to address it, this month’s theme and experience can help you, help your family . Join Linsey and Dixie and myself as we discuss how we plan on using this theme to solve these typical problems in our own homes.
084 God's Greatest Parenting Tools
The other day my husband made the comment that God didn’t real give us much help when it comes to raising children. God taught us a lot of things, but parenting wasn’t one of them.
I told him I disagreed. That the scriptures had all sorts of examples of how to parent.
Like what?
Well today’s episode we answer that question , like what? Today we share a sampling of some of the finest examples of how God interacts with His children and what we can learn from it.
If you are a bit like my husband and wonder what advice God has for us as parents, stay tuned as we reveal some of God’s greatest parenting tools.
083 You Can't Pick Up Half a Stick! (Choices & Consequences)
Have you ever tried picking up half a stick? No matter how hard you try, the other end always comes with it.
So it is with our choices. They all have a consequence. Good, bad or indifferent. Every action has a reaction associated with it. In a world where victim mentality is so prevalent, it is important we teach our children the power they have to choose.
In today's podcast we talk about how we are going to focus on this theme of choices and consequences. We share our ideas of how to introduce the theme to your family through a fun object lesson so that you can use it as a reference point for the rest of the month. (What good choices might look like versus yucky choices.)
We also share ideas of how to use the stories from the scriptures to reinforce the idea, and we give you great additional resource ideas of books and videos that you can use outside of the scriptures to help teach the principle of choices and consequences.
To make it even better, we’ve put all the information that we talk about today in a free PDF that you are not going to want to miss. We’ve spent hours sorting through the best books and movies and put together a book list with YouTube read aloud links, scripture videos and interactive stories and even a full length movie. We’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to!
To make sure you receive your free resource guide email us at linsey@myteachingmatters.com and we’ll make sure you get this amazing free resource. You’re going to LOVE today’s episode!
082: Parenting the RIGHT way. What is right?
Being a parent is hard. Sometimes we second guess ourselves, are we doing it right? Is there a better way? Sometimes we straight up get told we are doing it wrong (like in the story I share with you today), and sometimes, very infrequently, we get the confirmation that we are on the right track.
In today’s episode I share a couple of stories about how I found confidence in my role of a mother and how you can do the same.
081: Connecting Christmas and CFM ( with Dixie Christensen)
The month of December can be a hectic time and keeping up with your family scripture study can often feel like one more thing on your checklist to get done.
In today's episode, Dixie Christensen shares how she is simplifying her scripture study to accommodate both Christmas and CFM. She shares some great ideas of how to use our December theme of “ I Believe” to help her family connect the birth of the Christ Child to the Jesus we talk about in the scriptures and the principles of the gospel we believe in that will be discussed in our Come Follow Me for the rest of the year.
Dixie shares several easy ways to incorporate the Articles of Faith, Proclamation on the Family and the Living Christ into your daily Christmas time routines making your family scripture study, not only possible, but meaningful.
080: Tips and Tricks to Help You Simplify Your Holiday Season (With Tiffany Hinkson)
Do you envision Christmas as a magical time with excitement and joy and love flowing through the air or do you think of Christmas as stressful, tiring, and hectic?
How can we make Christmas be more magical, where we actually experience the spirit of Christmas and not the stress and bustle of the holiday season with the present buying, and the party planning, and the house decorating?
In todays episode Tiffany Hinkson shares with us her ideas of how to bring back the magic of Christmas by simplifying our holiday season.
Download her FREE Simplified Christmas Planner here.
079 Strengthening Family Relationships During the Holidays!
There is a line in a primary song that says - God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
Why would having a family help us become what God wants us to be? I truly believe that having a family is a gift from God and that it is within the family unit that we practice the many things we need to learn to become like God. Pes Nelson once said, "The home is the great laboratory of love. There the raw chemicals of selfishness and greed are melded in the crucible of cooperation to yield compassionate concern and love one for another." 1
Spending time with our loved ones is a great way to strengthen and reinforce that love for each other. During the holiday season it is a great time to reconnect with our extended family and draw on the power of family. In today’s episode, I share with you our family's plan for trying to create a Thanksgiving that is not only enjoyable, but meaningful as well.
1 “Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women,” CR April 1999, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1999/04/our-sacred-duty-to-honor-women?lang=eng, see also “The Canker of Contention,” CR April 1989, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/the-canker-of-contention?lang=eng and “Salvation and Exaltation,” CR April 2008, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2008/04/salvation-and-exaltation?lang=eng
078 Teaching Your Child to Teach
It's not enough just to teach our children the gospel, we also need to teach them how to teach others the gospel. As a novice mother I made the mistake of thinking that just because my children had grown up going to church every week, having family scripture study every day and Family Home Evening every week, they would automatically know how to give a coherent ,well thought out lesson. Oh how wrong I was.
Knowing how to be an effective teacher takes practice. Allowing our kids to practice at home where the stakes are low is so important for preparing them to teach outside of the home. Whether its a talk in sacrament meeting or a young men's/young women's lesson, you can help your youth give the perfect lesson by teaching them to follow these four simple steps when preparing their lesson.
You can find the perfect lesson plan template at myteachingmatters.com/tools
077 Creating Positive and Sustainable Change in Your Family
What is driving you crazy in your family right now? Is it that the kids are fighting all the time?
Is it 6 year old Abi who is afraid to try anything new and constantly needs your help to do simple tasks?
Or Maybe it’s eight year old Max who loves to tease and harass the younger kids until they are crying and whining - causing constant contention.
Or possibly the fact that Alex has a propensity to embellish the truth to the point you can’t trust a thing she says.
What is a parent to do ? Being a parent is hard. It seems like there is always something or someone who is driving you crazy.
What if I were to tell you there was a systematic way to overcome these sources of frustration and irritation?
Today we share with you our system for dealing with unwanted issues that come up in every family. A five step system that when used consistently, can create positive and sustainable change for your family.
076 The 3 Most Important Lessons I've Learned About Teaching
A few years back I was visiting with a non member friend of mine. We had just finished conference weekend and I was showing her pictures of the apostles and prophet who had spoken. In sincere curiosity, she asked me, “Why are they all so old?” I laughed not quite knowing how to answer that question.
I have thought about that question over the years, and I would be better prepared to answer that question now. I have come to understand that the wonderful wisdom and insights these men have is due in part to their many years of life experience. There is something to be said about the wisdom that is shared from those who have gone through the refining fires of life.
In today’s episode, I share with you my personal journey of coming to understand 3 critically important things when it comes to teaching. Things I have learned by trial and error, Things I have learned through years of experimenting and things I have been guided to understand from the Heavens above.
075 Using the Small and Simple Tool of Music to Bring About Great Things (With Angie Killian)
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”(Alma 37:6)
Our guest today is living proof of what the Lord can do with small and simple things.
Angie Killian didn’t grow up thinking she would be a famous songwriter. Her plans were to become a math teacher!
But somewhere along the line, she listened as God presented another plan. A plan that took her in a totally different direction. A plan that allowed Him to take her Widow’s mite and make it something amazing.
Angie’s music has now gone on to touch thousands of hearts all over the world. A feat she attributes to a promise she made to God in a moment of despair.
Join us today as Angie shares her miraculous journey of learning to partner with God to co-create music that inspires so many. We also talk about how we can use a small thing like music to help teach the gospel to our families.
To access some of the resources Angie talks about, visit her website at https://www.angiekillian.com/
074 How to Use Questions to Personalize Themes and Lessons
Henry B. Eyring stated, “To ask and to answer questions is at the heart of all learning and all teaching” (“The Lord Will Multiply the Harvest” [evening with a General Authority, Feb. 6, 1998], 5–6; emphasis added).
What does it mean that asking and answering questions is at the heart of all learning and all teaching. Well, this last week we hosted a council call with our “Teaching as a Fearless Mother of Faith” group, and we witnessed first hand how great learning and great teaching can be achieved by asking and answering questions.
Join Linsey and me today as we share some amazing insights we had about the importance of asking the right questions to help personalize the scriptures to ourselves and to our families.
073 Partnering With God as We Teach Our Children (with Patti Rokus and Melia Rios-Lazo)
Pres Nelson once said this about women….
“To help another human being reach one’s celestial potential is part of the divine mission of woman. As mother, teacher, or nurturing Saint, she molds living clay to the shape of her hopes. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting.” Russell M. Nelson, “Woman—Of Infinite Worth,” Ensign, Nov. 1989, 22.
In our sacred responsibility of teaching our children, I love the fact that it is a partnership with God. He does not expect us to do it alone. He wants to help, He yearns to help, He wants to be our partner and yet so often we feel overwhelmed, under qualified and totally inadequate for the task, because we have to do it alone.
In today’s episode we talk about how we can partner with God more often and access His power when teaching the gospel to our children. Join us today with Patti Rokus and Melia Rios-Lazo as we explore how we can Partner with God in this most important work.
To learn more about Patti and Melia check out their websites at: www.RockArtCamp.com and www.tinytrunktales.com
072 A Look At Inspiring Female Role Models From the Bible (With Amber Corkin)
Have you ever noticed how most of the scripture stories we tell are all about men? Finding those femine role models within the scriptures is not easy.
Today I’ve invited my friend Amber Corkin to share with us all about her new book ,”Dear Divine Daughter: Inspiring Stories of Bible Women". She and her twin sister Aubrey scoured the bible for stories of women. They found so many they had to narrow it down to the best 34 inspirational stories they found. Who knew there were that many stories about women?
In today’s episode, Amber shares her amazing journey of this inspired book. Nearly four years in the making, several rejection from publishers and finally a break that has placed her book on the shelves of some very prominent retail stores.
071 Learning to Recognize How the Holy Ghost Can Speak to You (with Julie Ferguson)
Conference weekend is a time for revelation and inspiration. As we prepare for conference this year, I want to replay our most popular episode of this program. "How to Recognize the Holy Ghost" with Julie Ferguson. Julie walks us through her experience of really learning all the different ways the Holy Ghost speaks to her. You will be amazed at how many different ways she has been directed and taught by the Holy Ghost.
As we prepare to receive direction and inspiration during General Conference this weekend, or any time for that matter, consider some of the ideas that Julie shares with us of ways we might not realize that the Holy Ghost can speak to us.
070 Learn How Scripture Study Can Change Your Child's Behavior
“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. “The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. … That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” (Elder Boyd K Packer)
In todays episode we share some examples of this inspired truth. Listen to see how parents and individuals are using their gospel study, to change their behavior and the behavior of their children.
069 You Just Have to Experience It! (Teaching Through Experiences)
Have you ever had that time where your Aunt Susan or some other person wants to show you all the pictures she has of her last vacation full of people and places you don’t know and don’t care about?
Or maybe you’ve been the one that experienced something totally amazing, but when you try to tell others about it you just can’t convey the impact it had on you?
There are just some things that can’t be known except by experiencing them yourself.
Elder Jan Newman, 2nd counselor in the General Sunday School made this comment, “Children inherit many things from their parents, but a testimony is not one of them. We can’t give our children a testimony any more than we can make a seed grow. But we can provide a nourishing environment so that our children can find a place for that seed and discover for themselves that the seed is good…. Everyone who teaches in the home and at church can offer to others the opportunity to have their own spiritual experiences…. Where they can come to know the truth of all things.”
In today’s episode, we talk about the importance of creating spiritual experiences for our children.
We also invite you to share in an experience we have created for you to help you understand more fully the things we’ve been talking about.
Sign up here to join us for our Children Who Know Challenge.
Link to Elder Newman's Conference Address, Teaching In The Savior's Way
068 Two Meaningful Ways to Engage Your Teens in Family Scripture Study
Anybody out there struggle getting their teens to participate with family scripture study? Are your invitations met with moans and groans and excuses of why they cant or don’t have time? Well my friend, you are in good company.
Keeping your kids engaged in scripture study during their teens can often be a challenge. In today’s episode, we share with you two simple ideas of how you can change your scripture study time so it becomes a bit more palatable for those finicky teens.
We are getting ready for our 5-Day Children Who Know Challenge on September 20. It has been really popular in the past! Plus, this is the first time we're offering it FREE! So if you haven't taken it before, but you want to figure out how to have SIMPLE, POWERFUL family scripture study that helps your children USE the gospel… you should sign up now!
067 Our Top 3 EASY Tips For Engaging Your Small Children in Scripture Study
Keeping your small children's attention during scripture study is no small feat! In today's episode we share our top 3 EASY tips of engagement for young kids. These 3 tips do not take any prep time or require any printing. Learn how to use your child's natural learning style to engage them in meaningful ways.
If you want to dive deeper into how to use some of these techniques, join us for our FREE 5 day challenge to experience how YOU can make your family scripture study simpler and more meaningful!
066 Our Favorite Themes!
In today’s episode we asked several mothers from our Fearless Mother’s group to share with us their favorite themes and what made them so memorable. Some of the most popular themes were “God Wants to Help Us”, “God Wants us to Be Happy”, “I Can Repent” and “I Can Choose Faith over Fear”.
These are just a few of the themes that have helped change families for the better. Listen to find out what made these themes so memorable and how you can use themes in your own homes to help change your family to become more like Christ.
Interested in learning how to use themes in your own home?
Sign up for our FREE 5 day “Children Who Know” challenge at www.MyTeachingMatters.com/Challenge
To hear more about Stephanie’s story listen here episode 033
To hear more about Dixie’s story listen here episode 014
065 How I Gave a 50 Minute Lesson With Absolutely NO Prep!
I was waiting for the panic to set in.
I just realized that we had no teacher for RS
I was responsible for teaching 30 women a 50 minute lesson and I had not even read the lesson for that week.
But instead of fear, I was surprised how calm I felt.
In this episode, I share how I was able to spontaneously give a 50 minute lesson with absolutely NO preparation, just by following these few simple steps.
To learn more about how to simplify and strengthen your family scriptures study, join us for a FREE 5 day challenge where we show you step by step how to make it work for your family!
MyTeachingMatters.com/challenge
064 Learn How This One Simple Change Can Have a Huge Impact on Your Family Scripture Study
In today’s episode we share with you the power of systems. We look at how small and simple changes can have big results. We talk about how a system can reduce the amount of time you spend preparing and how your teaching becomes much more powerful and meaningful when used within a system.
Take our quiz to find out which scripture study trap is holding your family back. http://myteachingmatters.com/quiz/
Join us for our FREE 5 day challenge: http://myteachingmatters.com/challenge/
063 The Scripture Study that (mostly) Eliminated the Yelling in our Home
After a year and a half of being at home almost all the time because of Covid… emotions are running high in our household and there has been a lot of contention. I don’t know about you… but my kids have been getting really mad at each other recently.
Today, I want to share a story of our one scripture study that has significantly helped solve this problem. At least for a few days now, there has been minimal yelling in our house, and I’m excited to tell you why!
Also... we have a new quiz out! To find out what family "scripture study trap" is holding children back... visit www.myteachingmatters.com/quiz
062 What is Holding You Back From Having Family Gospel Study?
What is holding you back from having Family Gospel Study?
If you’re like me, maybe it's just the lack of routine during the summer, or maybe you’re like my friend who is just too busy, or maybe you're like one our listeners who just doesn't know how to do it.
Maybe you are having family gospel study, but you're wondering if it's even making a difference in the lives of your children.
In today’s episode we look at some of the limiting beliefs people have about gospel study and how those beliefs are getting in the way of having truly simple, effective gospel study that will have a lasting impact on your family.
061 How I Taught 150 Girls that God Still Loves Them Even When Life Isn't Fair
As parents it is our job to prepare our children for the future. The more tools, and preparation we can give them, the greater chance they have to be successful.
In today’s episode, I share how I taught 150 girls that God still loves them even when life isn’t fair.
060 How To Get Back On the Gospel Study Wagon Train Once you Fall Off (Simplify your Summer Scripture Study Series, Part 4)
Do you ever feel that feeling when you mess up that it's just not worth it now? For me it's when I’m trying to eat healthy and then I slip up and eat that bowl of ice-cream and then I think “Well I’ve already broken my goal to eat healthy so I might as well finish off this box of cookies, or eat this bag of chips” or whatever it might be.
Even as I tell you thing, I am thinking what a stupid way to think. Why does it have to be an all or nothing mentality?
Sometimes we can get ourselves in this mode with our gospel study. When we miss gospel study for a few days, sometimes we allow it to become a week or a two or a whole summer. We think we either have to go back and catch up on all the reading that we missed (which sounds overwhelming) , or we think it's just too hard to get going again.
In today’s episode we talk about changing the way we look at our relationship with gospel study. It’s not about checking the box, it's about changing who we are, and there are lots of ways to do that.
Join us for our last episode of our Simplifying Summer Scripture Study Series to learn what to do when you just don’t feel like getting back on the wagon train.
For a copy of our free download, the perfect CFM lesson plan, click here.
059 The Secret to a Perfect Lesson is Easier Than You Think (Simplify Your Summer Scripture Study Part 3)
Today my daughter Hailey sent me a link to a SUPER CUTE you-tube video.
I’ve been thinking about it all morning, replaying it over and over in my head, and to be completely honest, I may have even re-watched it more than once.
The video has a message that struck deep in my heart, but I don’t think that was what was even intended.
This video left me with a smile on my face and a change of attitude for the day.
What is it about this video that has left such an impression on me?
Let me tell you about his video.
Its a video of this little 3 or 4 year old boy dressed to go rollerblading.
He has on his blades, a helmet, and crash pads for his hands and knees. But that’s not what is so cute.
What is so cute is this little boy singing while he’s holding on to the side of the car so he won’t fall down on his rollerblades.
He’s making up a tuneless song that goes something like this...
"Today is gunna be a great day,
Today is gunna be a smiley day,
Today is gunna be a Jesus day,
I can do hard things
And I can by myself
Its hard to get me up
Its hard to go down hill
It’s ok to fall down
I can do hard things
Today’s going to be awesome, Today going to be awesome!"
Why do I tell this story?
Because today we talk about how to simplify your summer scripture study and teach eternal truths through music!
Music is fun, music is memorable, and music is easy. You can make tunes up while you practice your roller blading!
Join us for this part 3 of How to Simplify Your Summer Scripture Study.
Click here to watch the video of happy roller bladder!
058 One Simple Teaching Tool You and Your Kids Will LOVE (Simplify Your Summer Scripture Study Series Part 2)
Growing up I loved stories. I remember during those long summer days when you were staying up late and playing outside all day long, my mother would often make us lay down for an afternoon nap. The only way Mom could get us to hold still long enough to fall asleep was to read us a few stories. This is where I learned the childhood classics of the Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the 3 bears, or Tortoise and the Hare, Brer Rabbit, and even nursery rhymes.
Stories that taught me the importance of building a strong house, the idea that slow and steady wins the race and the beauty of twinkling stars.
Today is our second episode in our series “Simplify Your Summer Scripture Study”. Today we look at the power and simplicity of using stories to teach the gospel to our children and how we can use stories to reinforce our monthly theme.
057 The Single Most Important Thing You Can do to Simplify your Summer Scripture Study (Series part 1)
I hope I’m not the only one who feels bombarded with the craziness of summer. Don’t get me wrong, I love summer time, but at the same time, It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed the “Lazy Days of Summer”.
Trying to keep up with regular family scripture study can be a challenge during the summer but with a few tips and tricks you can still successfully teach your family and enjoy your summertime fun.
This podcast is the first in a series of several short episodes, giving you quick and easy tips on how to simplify your summer scripture study. Today we talk about the single most important thing you can do to make your summer gospel learning simple yet meaningful.
056 Learn How Storytelling Can Simplify and Strengthen Your Teaching
As intentional parents, we care about how we can influence and teach our children. Research shows that STORYTELLING is on of the most effective ways to influence, teach, and inspire.
In today’s episode, we talk about the power of storytelling in connecting with and teaching our children.
We explore how and why stories stick, and how we can use them more effectively in our teaching.
Join us today, as we explore the Power of Stories.
055 Examples of Teaching Your Littles That will Inspire You (With Dixie Christensen)
I often get asked the question, "How old should my children be before I can start teaching them the gospel?" The answer might surprise you. Sister Joy D. Jones in her conference address from April 2021 entitled Essential Conversations, tells us that “There is a uniquely special time in children’s lives when they are protected from Satan’s influence. It is a time when they are innocent and sin free. It is a sacred time for parent and child. “
That being the case, we can’t wait until their 8 before we begin the teaching process. We need to start as early as possible!
In this episode Dixie Christensen shares with us how she is finding ways to teach her four small children ranging from 1 -6. Much of her teaching centers around using a theme and creating experiences to help her children relate what they are learning to their own lives.
Listen to Dixie as she shares real life examples of how to take advantage of this sacred time.
054 Learn How Using Essential Conversations Will Change the Way You Teach (with Verity Simmons)
Our youth have been saved and prepared to come to earth at this time when Satan has great hold upon the hearts of men. They have been taught in the premortal life all of the things they need to succeed during their time on earth.
As parents, it is our sacred responsibility to help our children remember these things they were taught. We must take advantage of the natural experiences our children have to help them connect what they are experiencing to the eternal truths they already know.
In this episode, Verity Simmons shares some enlightening examples of how she uses natural, yet essential conversations to help teach the gospel to her young family.
"To treat them as children spiritually, as the world might treat the
same age group, is therefore and likewise an anachronism. I say once
more, there is scarcely a youth that comes through your seminary or
institute door who has not been the conscious beneficiary of spiritual
blessings, or who has not seen the efficacy of prayer, or who has not
witnessed the power of faith to heal the sick, or who has not beheld
spiritual outpourings of which the world at large is today ignorant.
You do not have to sneak up behind this spiritually experienced
youth and whisper religion in his ears; you can come right out, face
to face, and talk with him. You do not need to disguise religious
truths with a cloak of worldly things; you can bring these truths to
him openly, in their natural guise. Youth may prove to be not more
fearful of them than you are. There is no need for gradual
approaches, for “bedtime” stories, for coddling, for patronizing, or
for any of the other childish devices used in efforts to reach those
spiritually inexperienced and all but spiritually dead."
The Charted Course of the Church in Education
053 Gospel Family Study Summer Survival Guide
Let's face it. Summer is a difficult time to be totally consistent and diligent about family gospel study. But what if that were Okay? Summer may be difficult for regular sit down scripture reading and lessons, but it is the perfect time to strengthen your family in different ways! Embrace summer and the opportunity to connect with your children and strengthen your family by playing together, working together and spending time with extended family and friends. Plan now what you want to accomplish this summer. With realistic expectations and a general plan, you may find that Summer is even better than you anticipated!
052 Simply Integrating the Children's and Youth Guidebooks into our Daily Teaching
What do you want your children to be when they grow up?
Last week we had a zoom call with our Fearless Mother’s of Faith group. I asked a few of them a similar question. One of the Mom’s said she wanted her children to be resilient, and self reliant, another wanted her children to be confident in their talents were and use those talents to serve others; and still another mentioned how she wants her children to understand their personal mission for this earth life and to accomplish that mission.
All of these things are great desires. Very much worth striving for. But what is the method or the system or the path they are going to use to help their children get there? It won’t just happen on its own!
In today’s episode, we talk about how the the Children and Youth Guidebooks that the church has provided us, can help our children become all that they are meant to become. We talk how we can simply integrate this program into what we are already doing in our gospel study, and how we can ensure that our children are developing their own unique gifts
051 What Every Parent Needs to Know about Anxiety, Depression and Emotional Resilience (With Corrine Kendall Part 2)
This past year, a friend of mine lost her son to suicide. It rocked their whole existence. It shook my foundation as I wondered what had happened to make this sweet, fun loving boy, feel the need to take his life?
Unfortunately, I’m sure many of you listeners have stories similar to mine. The stresses and pressures faced by our youth today are unprecedented.
As intentional parents, what are we doing to help our children develop the emotional resilience they need to deal with these extreme pressures?
In today’s episode, Corrine Kendall is back to share her insights as a Jr. High counselor on how we can help our children deal with anxiety, depression and even suicidal tendencies.
Whether it is one of our own children, or a child of someone we know, we all have a responsibility to understand what our youth are faced with and what we can do to help .
The SafeUT Crisis Chat and Tip Line is a statewide service that provides real-time crisis intervention to youth through live chat and a confidential tip program – right from your smartphone.
Find them online at https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/safe-ut/ or download the app SafeUT onto your smartphone
050 The Truth About What Our Youth Are Facing That Parent's Can't Ignore (With Corrine Kendall Part 1)
How many of us really know what is going on with our kids when they are at school? What kind of pressures are they having to deal with? What are the most difficult challenges they are faced with?
In today’s episode, we get a sneak peak into the day in the life of a middle schooler. Corrine Kendall, a middle school/junior high counselor, talks to us about what she sees as some of the trends and challenges that our young people are dealing with and what we as intentional parents can do to help combat the trends of the world.
049 Why Family Fun Can Strengthen Your Family
Take a minute and think back on a happy memory you have with your family? What were you doing? How did you feel? What makes this memory special?
I would venture to say that most of you were thinking of a time spent with your family doing something fun. Maybe a vacation you took together, a special evening together, or a silly time spent laughing and playing with each other.
Creating these family bonds is an important part of creating a strong family.
In today's episode, we look at ways you can create a strong family culture by intentionally planning wholesome recreational activities for your entire family.
Click Here for a FREE PDF of 31 Fun Family Activities!
048 5 Steps For Creating Simple, Caring Conversations
In the most recent general conference Sis Joy Jones talked about how having simple yet “Essential conversations” with our children can help prepare them for the future. Sis Jones states, "We can have fun helping our children build spiritual resilience at any age. It doesn't have to be complicated or time intensive. Simple, caring conversations can lead children to know not only what they believe, but more important, why they believe it." (Apr. 2021 General Conference, Essential Conversations, Joy D. Jones)
So what does an Essential Conversation look like? How can we include more of them in our teaching ? and How will they help to strengthen my family's testimony?
Join us in today’s episode to as we look at the FIVE steps for creating simple, caring conversations.
Download the Perfect CFM Lesson Template here.
047 How Fearless Mothers of Faith Teach Their Children to Choose Faith Over Fear
The closet was dark and Evelyn couldn’t see very well. What if she couldn’t find the string she was looking for because it was too dark? What if things were to fall out of the closet while she was lookin? What if she created a mess? or What if her new bike was too big and she couldn’t ride it, or what if she fell off? What if , What if, What if…..
Life is full of uncertainties and unknowns. How do we move past the fearful “What if’s “ to look for the positive possibilities?
In today’s episode, We talk about how we can help our children let go of the fearful anxiety of the unknown and choose to have faith and hope in the future.
Listen to find out what happened to Evelyn as her mother helped her learn how to intentionally choose to have faith.
Join our 5 day challenge and start helping your children choose to LIVE the gospel of Jesus Christ.
http://myteachingmatters.com/challenge/
046 Stop Going Unheard! Start Being Understood!
As parents, we have been commanded to teach our children to UNDERSTAND the doctrine of repentance, faith and baptism. How do you know if our children are understanding what we are trying to teach?
What if your five year old came up to you with tears in their eyes and said “Mom, I feel uncomfortable inside, can you help me make it feel better?” Or you overheard your two year old saying “Uh-oh, I need repent!”
If either of those scenarios were to happen in my home, I would be pretty confident that my children were coming to understand the principle of repentance.
In today’s episode we talk about how you as fearless mothers, can teach your children the doctrine of repentance in such a way that you will be able to see by their actions, that they are understanding.
By using the 3 simple techniques outlined in this episode, you will no longer have to wonder if your teaching is sinking in, you will be able to SEE the fruits of your labors.
Join us for a 5 day challenge where we take you step by step through the process of teaching for true understanding. http://myteachingmatters.com/challenge/
Interested in hearing more about how the 2 year old learned the need for repentance? Check out Dixie’s story here:
014 How Dixie Christensen Learned to Teach Her Wiggly 3 Year Old and Make a Difference in Her Family
045 The Single Most Common Mistake Parent's Make When Teaching Their Kids and How to Fix it
Do you remember back to your school days when you took a test and felt pretty good about it. Then you get your score back and you realize to your horror that totally misjudged how well you did. Your expected A turned out to be a frightening D?
Hopefully you don’t recall too many of those experiences, but I think I’m not the only one who has experienced being shocked when faced with the reality of a situation.
In today’s episode, I share a moment where I was totally taken off guard at how well my teaching was being received by my children. I was totally off base... but the worst part was, I didn’t even know it!
How do you know if your teaching is really sinking in? How do you know if you’re doing it right?
In today’s episode, I share with you the mistakes I made, and the journey I took to find a solution. I will share the solution I found with you, so you don't have to wait until your kids are teenagers before realizing you were going about it all wrong.
You don't have to make the same mistakes I did.
You can make the changes you need to now, before it’s too late.
044 Ideas for Making General Conference Memorable AND Meaningful
What Message does the Lord have for your this General Conference?
A year ago this April, Pres. Nelson said, "The purpose of this and every general conference is to help us to hear Him."
If the purpose of our prophet and Apostle, is to help us hear Him, what is our role? What can we do to prepare to have their purpose fulfilled in our lives?
Pres. Nelson goes on to say, “We have prayed, and invite you to pray, that the Spirit of the Lord will be with us in such rich abundance that you can hear the messages that the Savior has especially for you—messages that will bring peace to your soul. Messages that will heal your broken heart. Messages that will illuminate your mind. Messages that will help you know what to do as you move ahead through times of turmoil and trial. "
President Russel M Nelson
Today’s episode, is a replay of an episode we ran a year ago about how to prepare yourself and your family to Hear the messages the Lord has for His children.
This episode had so many great ideas, contributed from Fearless Mothers from around the country that we just had to share it again, giving you another opportunity to try some of these amazing tips on how to prepare for this Spring’s General Conference.
To download a free PDF of engaging yet meaningful General Conference activities, visit our website at www.myteachingmatters.com/conference
43 The Secret to Asking Powerful Questions (with Keith Johnson)
A few weeks ago my husband and I spent the night at his brothers home. He and his wife invited us to join them the next morning for their early morning scripture study. I was interested to share this time with another family to see how this process worked for them.
We each took a turn reading a few verses from the assigned CFM reading, but after the reading something magical happened. His wife asked a question. The question she asked was NOT, How did the spirit speak to Oliver Cowdery, nor was it even What are the different ways the spirit can speak to us? , but instead she asked, “What experiences have you had where the Holy Ghost has spoken to you? “,.
Wow! Was that ever a power packed questions. That one question spurred a discussion that continued far longer than it should have as some of the kids had to get ready for school, but each of us shared and listened to each other’s experiences, all of us were edified.
This experience reinforced the idea that not all questions are created equal. How can we turn an average question into a powerful question? What are the principles around questions that I need to understand to help me ask better questions?
In today’s episode, Keith Johnson, this very brother in law , in whose home we stayed, shares his journey of he has learned to harness the power of the question.
"Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege". Doctrine and Covenants 88:122.
Links to items mentioned in Podcast:
- Download your perfect lesson plan template at www.MyTeachingMatters.com
- Pres. Eyring’s video on the importance of asking questions: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2015-01-1200-asking-questions?lang=eng
- Podcast from LeadingSaints.org about teaching effectively through Zoom https://leadingsaints.org/teaching-the-gospel-virtually-an-interview-with-deanna-murphy/
Keith’s 4 Levels of Communication:
Level 1:
Definition: Acknowledgement
Typical Question(s): Hi, How are you?
Benefit: Awareness, kindness
Level 2:
Definition: Facts, Knowledge, Information, Lectures, many talks
Typical Question(s): What is….?
Benefit: Dispensing information, Education. Get stories of others
Level 3:
Definition: Feelings, Personal insight
Typical Question(s): Why….?, How do YOU feel about….?
Benefit: Get to really know someone, and learn how they think and feel. Get personal stories
Level 4:
Definition: Connect personally to what you just learned, but don’t take over or “one-up”.
Typical Question(s): Thank you for sharing, I can relate because of….
Benefit: Connect more deeply with the person with empathy and love
042 Is Knowing the Church is True Enough?
It is common in the church to stand and testify that we KNOW the Church is True.
But what does that really mean? Is it enough that our children know the church is true or is there something more that we are striving for?
In the October 2000 General Conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks said this, “ It is not enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something…. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly father desires us to become.” (The Challenge to Become, Oct. 2000 Conference)
In this episode, we talk about the importance of focusing on who we are BECOMING rather than what knowledge we are obtaining.
041 A Busy Mom's Guide for Scripture Study Made Easy (With Cali Black)
Let’s face it, as busy mother’s we don’t have a lot of extra time just for ourselves. How do we find time to devote to our own scriptures study when the kids usually get us out of bed in the morning and we fall into bed exhausted shortly after they go to bed at night?
Well, what if I were to tell you that you could actually have a meaningful scripture study in one minute a day? ONE MINUTE! Do you think you could squeeze it in?
Cali Black is co-host of the podcast 1 Minute Scripture Study; a podcast that is truly only 1 minute long! (if you skip the intro and outro parts.) In today’s episode, Cali shares how busy moms like you and I, can find ways to have meaningful scripture study that helps us progress and change without sacrificing our family or our sanity!
For those of you who need help getting started again on your own personal study habits, or if you just need a fallback idea for those days when it’s just not going to happen otherwise, this episode is for you.
Links to find Cali:
Instagram: Come Follow Me Study - Daily thoughts and actionable take aways
Web Site: Comefollowmestudy.com - Access to study journals, daily thoughts and podcasts
Podcast: 1 Minute Scripture Study - found on most podcast platforms
040 Simply Engaging Your Littles in Gospel Learning (With Linsey Paradis)
How we can teach our children intentionally but practically. You know what it is like to be a busy mother and yet want to make sure you are teaching your children in a way that is meaningful but doesn't stress you out in the preparation.
Engaging our littles in gospel learning can be simple and fun. Singing songs, adding movement, repeating phrases and stories is all very easy and certainly age appropriate for our little learners.
Today Miss Lindsey from Miss Lindsey’s Come Follow Me for Kids, joins us to share some of her tips and tricks on what she does to teach the gospel in a fun and memorable way.
Link to Miss Lindsey's Come Follow Me for Kids
https://anchor.fm/lindsey-paradis#:~:text=An%20interactive%20podcast%20for%20littles,Christ%20of%20Latter%2Dday%20Saints.