Mathew 28:2

:2     Why, did the angels roll the stone away and open the tomb?  

First, there was undoubtedly important symbolic meaning in this act.  Just as the door of the tomb of the Resurrection was now open, signaling its occupant was no longer there, so too the door of the spirit world was now open, signaling that its righteous inhabitants were free from the bondage of death and would no longer be confined there.  

This is not unlike the tearing of the veil of the Jerusalem Temple at the final moment of the Crucifixion 27: 51.  It was torn from top to bottom symbolizing completely. The exposed Holy of Holies symbolized, among other things, a new order or dispensation that allowed, through the Atonement of Christ, all the righteous to enter the presence of God—which the Holy of Holies represents (Hebrews 9:19-24; 10:19-20). Mathew 28:2

Teaching techniques

• Teachers are agents of the master teacher - not independent contractors

• Teachers teach what prophets preach

• Students are to learn and act, learn and act

The Goal of teaching is to help them apply the doctrine and change their lives

teach…Any light that touched you today will leave you into forgetfulness unless you DO something to apply it... (talk about it to someone about what you learned)   learn and act...learn and act

• develop a pattern: for teaching 
• opener
• present topic (goals)
• historical background
• pick out characters or situations and develop questions and discussion.
• end with WHAT YOU WILL DO AFTER HEARING THIS LESSON
• and THEREFORE WHAT!

Scripture journals are a tool for communication with the Spirit! 

They are a REVELATION RECORD and a great resource for teaching 

• what you write down from the impressions you feel will be the most valuable help you can receive...to remember...to act upon.

when you write down precious impressions, often more will come....if you ACT on what you have been told.

• keep a record of spiritual experiences...combat’s spiritual Alzheimers 

        collect news articles for making points re certain doctrines.

• to study the scriptures I recommend 
• a three ring binder for handouts, and topic notes, one for each …Bk of M etc,
• a spiral notebook - study journal - take notes (classes, conference)
• notations in scriptures  
• summary charts (simple ways to retain and apply)
• x for cross ref, scripture chains
• heart shape for personal experience

- circle verse number in red for types/allusion to the atonement

- lined post-its for quick topic reference inside front cover

 

Writing activities 

• during class if there is writing time, play music (hymns - invites the Spirit)
• when writing, they are recognizing customized promptings for their lives!
• ask a question, then have them think about then write their feelings before sharing with the class. 
• ask students to write down one real life question, then invite them to scan a chapter for any insights into answering it. 
• scripture microscope: spend 2 minutes reading one scripture. Any new insights?
• teaching style:  scripture stories: teacher reviews the basic plot. Half TELL the story, half fill in detail wi scriptures.

role play - “I am struggling with....” What do you say to her?” and then everyone give advise.

R Mathews “In order for mortal men and women to be able to learn essential truth...there has to be spiritual preparation...learning and wisdom are not solely intellectual pursuits but are linked with FAITH, PRAYER and FASTING.

Elder Scott’s 4 step outline: 

 -ask a grabber question

1. state the principle or doctrine
2. give an example from real life to illustrate it
3. support it with a scripture
4. share a personal testimony and application of the principle

Great questions elicit testimonies

- why do you think this is the Lord’s church? What makes you think that?

- how do you feel about...

- how do you know...

- why is it so important that we...

- how has knowing...blessed your life?

...gets them to speak from the heart and share spiritual convictions

FIRST DAY (seminary and institute) - set expectations: read, listen, write and speak.

- discuss “how can you get the most out of this class.

To draw them out:

• tell me more about that
• Excellent...why?

• Ride out the silence after answering the question.

 The Candle of the Lord... BKP

p 89  “It is one thing to receive...quite another to have a confirmation in your heart that what you have said is true....TO SPEAK OUT IS A TEST OF YOUR FAITH.”

TIME YOUR LESSONS -  in lesson plan - decide how much time will you spend on each concept

• Save time to sum up (have them do it) ask “if you could summarize our lesson into one sentence that we could record in our journals - what would it be. and have a conclusion 
• at the end of each lesson ask ..therefore what...what’s this got to do with the way you live.  Alma war chapters: what does this teach about our own battles?
• what did you learn today that you should DO after this?? “ Can you personalize this? "
• ...and a testimony that ties together the themes

Variety

• collect stories quotes, find a favorite (ask why)
• 60 second talks (give formula) 5 minute prep. Two sentence statement of testimony or principle, explain it.
• slip a note to a particular student to prepare a few thoughts/ comments on...”how the priesthood has blessed your life.
• I’ve got three levels of questions (ala jeopardy) Who’d like an easy one?
• play: “one of these things is not like the other” from Sesame st.  3 or 4 relate but one is obscure.

PREP 

• ask yourself “what do I want to have happen in the lives of my students?

• Don’t just get through all the material if it can’t be properly absorbed. Determine WHAT IS OF HIGHEST PRIORITY.  Start with things they can relate to.

• story David / Goliath  /   the point is.. it requires great faith to battle the giants in your life…then focus on that objective or point.

(look for the talk by Scott - helping others to be spiritually led.)

“I will seek to learn by what I hear, see and feel. 

I will write down the things I learn and will do them.”

QUESTIONS  

• suggest  3 scenarios from your future life...if you choose this road then… real life, decisions have far reaching consequences  

• Prayer - What are some of the things we can do to make sure we’re really in communication with God...and not just going through the motions when we pray
• 
  
• What is the moral to this story?
• What are the strategies we can learn from...

• When you see a list of points in your lesson, make sure you put a question before it.
• What questions could I add that would allow students to make more of the    points I’m hoping to make.

• Ask open ended questions - no fishing for the one correct answer..
• Get them to share their stories!

ANGER - Christ braiding whip first he was in control…there is a lesson there. What is it?

COVENANTS- anyone ever break a promise to you?

OPENERS - You’re not ready till you have a good opener. Something interesting to get the ball rolling. Something to discuss that’s interesting to them. “Write a list of...”

•  opener - “classifieds - jobs - looking for love or a new gadget on the market.

• scan 20 lessons and come up with openers ahead of time. Put on post it and stick to lesson.

• science experiments / what gospel principle can be tied to this??

• scars and repentance: how are they different, hoe are they similar?

STUDY SKILL OF THE WEEK (on board and demo)

• give them 2 minutes to cross reference a favorite scripture...let them research a bit

Set the mood 

• Bring music
• JFS “manifestations of the HG are more  effective than visitations from angels” p20 GGT
•  teaching by the Spirit...is teaching from the heart...rather than out of books

The Holy Ghost carrieth it UNTO the hearts of the children of men 

- but not INTO 

(2 Ne 33:1)

• teach the person - not the material.....and the needs of the sheep

•  teach ….You won’t really understand any doctrine or concept until you experience it.
• talk less, involve more 

• SAY - as you read the next...pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. Notice what pops out at you.
• “As we read this account together, think about what it teaches us abt....”
• “rephrase…. what Nephi just taught, what you just read.

How to get your own insights (lesson)

I heard years ago…the point of the Scriptures is to get to know Christ, to see what he’s like, how he reacts, what his divine character is like…because you can’t love someone , let alone serve someone that you don't know. 

ALSO…We need to remember that He has done for others, He will do for us!!

We are going to have a study class today. We are going to learn some subtle meanings to all the key words.

info from institute Class  - R Stay,  Hebrew scholar 

“If you always study the same way, you’re only going to find what you’ve always found before.”

TOOL - Blue Letter bible.com   free and awesome!!     gives alternative meaning behind each word in the Bible  

Strong’s exhaustive Concordance is in it.     ( there is a good tutorial )

example  COATS:  it’s a rare word  - sometimes a coat is a coat and sometimes its a robe and is holy, getting historical info and alternate meanings gives more insight  

• combine with historical information … all clothing was wool, there were no blends (it was to remind them to not  intermarry)  Their clothing had to be pure.  Cotton and linen were ok together as they were considered special.  
• coats of skins other meanings… clothed with …to endow with a particular quality…clothed with power from on high…King David and his robe…clothed with salvation…she was clothed in white… I think of how we are to feed and clothe our children…clothe them with knowledge of God 

COME (G1205)  adverb…describing the verb  UNTO, near or towards

“Look UNTO me and be saved” Isa 45:22

LABOUR - tired, weary, exhausted with toil or burdens or grief.

LADEN - loaded with burdens (of rites and unwarranted precepts… troublesome laws…Friday afternoon, leave the lights on… Pharasees or anyone today who doesn't have the gospel perspective)   

GIVE (G373) = REST  (G373) ….to permit one to cease from movement or labor in order to recover and collect your strength.  Quiet and calm.

TAKE…(this word has double meaning)  to raise up, lift up, elevate, to carry what was been raised…to take and apply.

YOKE (G2218)  zygos   (pro. zoogaws)  a yoke is a harness or coupling , to join

• explain 2 edged sword concept below
• There is often a positive and negative meaning.  
• There is opposition in ALL things. 
• It’s up to us and how we will apply the principles. 
• Salt both saves and corrupts. Which choice will we make? 

Alma 30:13 “Why do you yoke yourselves with such foolish things? 

Yoke can mean calamity and servitude

1 Ne 13: 5 ..and yoketh them with a yoke of iron and bringeth them down… (Sin is a heavy burden) 

Mathew 11: “Take my yoke upon you” 

 Which yoke are people experiencing? Who do we want to be harnessed to?

Jer 5:5   great men… broke the yoke and burst the bonds 

( I imagine superman breaking chains that bind him ) 

LEARN (G3129)  - to hear, be informed, to increase in knowledge, 

                  - TO LEARN BY USE AND PRACTISE!  (Montessori)

MEEK (G4235)  gentle and mild

LOWLY - of low degree (he descended below all)

- brought low with grief (man of griefs)

- humble

HEART  -  the center of the soul, the seat of a spiritual life

- where your understanding is

FIND - after searching,  to hit upon, to get knowledge of

- to come to know….to meet with !!

REST - ( from noun)  the blessed tranquility of soul, a calming of the winds, a respite from your burden,  THE Heavenly Place in which God dwells and is promised to persevering believers! 

HEB 4: 10  ceased from his OWN works….means??  (His will and not ours)  The great Divorse, CS Lewis   

Heb 4:11 Let us labor therefore to enter into his rest…

SOULS  (G5590) the vital force that animates you, the seat of the feelings, desires, affections and aversions…your essence…an essence not dissolved by death…the life destined to enjoy Messianic salvation!

EASY (G5543) virtuous, good, pleasant, kind and manageable

Now, How do we put this together?? Therefore what???

Have read - Pres HWH quote IM p 35 

Bednar conf talk  !!   Oct 2014  The burden in the back of the tuck gave him traction 

New Testament - second temple

Jerusalem Temple at time of Christ 

Banking Functions

The Treasury in the Temple also performed banking functions, receiving donations as well as the required taxes and tithes. The Temple Tax of a half- shekel demanded of each male every year insured that money flowed into the Temple treasury from all over the known world, from Adiabene in the east to Spain in the west. Other gifts insured outstanding wealth within the Temple, including Herod the Great’s lavish edifices and spoils of many wars (Ant 15.402). The fee for entering the Temple increased the deposits in the bank and demanded moneychangers made so famous by the Gospels.11  

The abuse of the moneychangers in the Temple is supported by warnings in Rabbinics about the abuses of the high priestly families and Josephus’s report that the High Priest Ananias sent his slaves to confiscate the tithes reserved for the priests; they were so successful that some of the priests starved to death (Ant 20.205-07). See the helpful discussion by Randall Buth and Brian Kvasnica, “Temple Authorities and Tithe Evasion,” in Jesus’ Last Week, ed. R. Steven Notley et al., Jewish and Christian Perspectives Series 11 (Leiden: Brill, 2006), 53–80.

The architecture of the Temple was both elegant and monumental; it was almost always a political statement: We are Jews. We are important. We were chosen by the one and only God.

Within the Temple were more divisions: the Court of the Women, then further inside, the Court of the Men of Israel, and the Court of the Priests. In this sacred area were the altar of incense, the golden lampstand, the table for bread offering, and the place for slaughtering animals. Above this courtyard to the west was the Porch or Ulam (אולם); it separated the Court of the Priests from the Heikal (היכל), the interior of the sacred area. The Holy of Holies, or Debir (דביר), was the most sacred area. In this area, the Ark of the Covenant once stood.

Note how Eupolemus’s account of the Sanctuary and Temple harmonizes with, but also adds details not found in, Josephus’s works:

He also made two bronze pillars and overlaid them with pure gold, a finger in thickness. …

Especially impressive today are the massive retaining walls, including the Western Wall (also called the “Wailing Wall”), with its beautifully chiseled and embossed Herodian ashlars (polished stones with an elegant border). These archaeological discoveries often prove that Josephus’s descriptions of Jerusalem and the Temple before 70 ce are not mere hyperbole; sometimes they are astoundingly accurate. One stone in the western retaining wall weighs approximately 570 tons and is 13.7 meters long, 3.5 meters high, and about 4.5 meters wide.19

from book by James Charlesworth -  Jesus and the Temple 

Matthew 25

Three parables of preparation 

:1  GBH “You just live the kind of life that if the second coming were tomorrow, you would be ready.”

:1 JST

Testimony, Conversion, and the Parable of the Ten Virgins 
David A Bednar Oct 20120 Converted un to the Lord 

I now want to use one of many possible interpretations of the parable of the ten virgins to highlight the relationship between testimony and conversion. Ten virgins, five who were wise and five who were foolish, took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Please think of the lamps used by the virgins as the lamps of testimony. The foolish virgins took their lamps of testimony but took no oil with them. Consider the oil to be the oil of conversion.

“But the wise took oil [of conversion] in their vessels with their lamps [of testimony].

“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

“Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps [of testimony].

“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil [even the oil of conversion]; for our lamps [of testimony are weak and] are gone out.

“But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves” (Matthew 25:4–9).

Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no.

As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must “buy for ourselves.” These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; rather, they were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain an ample supply of the oil of conversion. This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time—“line upon line [and] precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30), patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible.

“Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17).

Testimony

I promise that as we come to a knowledge of the truth and are converted unto the Lord, we will remain firm and steadfast and never fall away. Eagerly we will set aside our weapons of rebellion. We will be blessed with bright light from our lamps of testimony and an ample supply of the oil of conversion. And as each of us becomes more fully converted, we will strengthen our families, our friends, and our associates. Of these truths I testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

:12  Tal J the Christ “ You do not know me”

:14 man travelling is Christ and delivered unto his servants responsibility for the church 

:15  gave five abilities 

:16  developed and increased them

:17 did not develop his talent

:19 judgement day 

:21 joy of the Lord is exaltation

:22 did his best with less

:23 gets same exaltation

:24   man came grumbling, making excuses for his lack of performance 

:26 slothful is lazy

:27 usery is interest earned 

:29 for those who did the best with what they were given, shall have abundance 

:30 unpofitable or wicked servant . Outer darkness where we will suffer for our own sins, unwilling to repent. 

“Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.

“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

“But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit . …

“Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.” (D&C 19:15–18, 23.)

:31 he will be our king 

:33 sheep are the righteous, wicked go by left hand

:36 visited me = took care of me.

:40 SWK Ens Dec 1974  “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.”

:40      Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

:45 Verily = listen carefully

:46 life eternal = celestial glory