Post by ham on Dec 31, 2011 10:37:16 GMT -5
M. Russell Ballard: "Creative, innovative sharing times and (other) activities can be stimulating and fun, but they don't mean much if the children...come away having been entertained but not really enlightened, taught the gospel, or lifted spiritually...EVERY lesson, every meeting, and every activity should be focused on bringing these little ones to Christ." (Ensign, April 1994, 61.)
A long time ago when I was FIRST called to be a music leader, I admit, I was ALL about FUN. I planned entertaining lessons with non-Church produced pictures of clowns and animals and we had fun all right. But it wasn't all right!
Since that first time I have been called, I have served as music leader three times, in the Stake Primary Presidency four times, and been a Primary President. My "tune" has definitely changed. Now I realize that it's NOT about having fun and entertaining, it's ALL about bringing these little ones to Christ. As music leaders, we are NOT "game show hosts." We are teachers of the gospel, and we need to make SURE that our lesson plans are focused on enlightening, NOT entertaining. Be careful about activities that are more suited for secular activities than Church. Are you bearing your testimony each week? Are your activities appropriate for allowing the Spirit to be in Primary each time you teach?
As you focus on having the Spirit in your lessons rather than just the "fun," you will be amazed at what happens in Primary. You may think that it will be "boring," but I promise you it will be some of the sweetest lessons you've ever taught. The children will remember the "feelings" they had rather than just a good time. YOU will like your calling much more as well! I just got called to be the music leader again and I guarantee that I won't be using that old clown visual I used years ago!!!!
A long time ago when I was FIRST called to be a music leader, I admit, I was ALL about FUN. I planned entertaining lessons with non-Church produced pictures of clowns and animals and we had fun all right. But it wasn't all right!
Since that first time I have been called, I have served as music leader three times, in the Stake Primary Presidency four times, and been a Primary President. My "tune" has definitely changed. Now I realize that it's NOT about having fun and entertaining, it's ALL about bringing these little ones to Christ. As music leaders, we are NOT "game show hosts." We are teachers of the gospel, and we need to make SURE that our lesson plans are focused on enlightening, NOT entertaining. Be careful about activities that are more suited for secular activities than Church. Are you bearing your testimony each week? Are your activities appropriate for allowing the Spirit to be in Primary each time you teach?
As you focus on having the Spirit in your lessons rather than just the "fun," you will be amazed at what happens in Primary. You may think that it will be "boring," but I promise you it will be some of the sweetest lessons you've ever taught. The children will remember the "feelings" they had rather than just a good time. YOU will like your calling much more as well! I just got called to be the music leader again and I guarantee that I won't be using that old clown visual I used years ago!!!!