Teaching by the Spirit

And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach. (D&C 42:14)

In his characteristic mix of sound doctrine and inspiring stories, Elder Gene R. Cook suggests ways to answer the question, how can we more effectively and consistently teach by the Spirit? “Since we all are teachers,” Elder Cook writes, “and since teaching is so important, then it makes sense that we would seek to learn to do our teaching in the Lord's way. And what is the Lord's way? He has admonished us to do our teaching by the power of his Spirit, both in the home and in the Church. As we do, we will lift and bless others as we can in no other way.”

In this book, Elder Cook shares principles to help us better teach by the Spirit in —

• Family settings
• The classroom
• Home and visiting teaching
• Interviews
• One-on-one encounters

Whether you are a first-time teacher or a seasoned veteran, Teaching by the Spirit offers valuable scriptural insights into truly becoming a “teacher come from God” (John 3:2), along with tender spiritual stories and practical teaching techniques that will invite the Spirit more fully into all your teaching.

Also included in this book are many stories, examples, and teaching techniques that will enlighten and encourage anyone who desires to teach more by the Spirit of the Lord. Elder Cook treats such key teaching issues of our time as:

• How to overcome the fear of teaching
• How to speak by the Spirit &ldqou;in the very moment,” when you are called upon without notice
• How to best prepare yourself to teach with the Spirit of the Lord
• How to help prepare the listener
• How to teach with greater feeling
• How to discern the needs of the people you have the responsibility to teach
• How to determine your current effectiveness as a teacher
• How to improve your overall effectiveness in teaching by the Spirit with your family, in the classroom, as home and visiting teachers, in working with less-active members, and so forth.