There are a number of principles applicable to learning and teaching the gospel. The Sunday School has adopted three guiding principles applicable to learning and teaching in Church meetings and at home. The fundamental purposes of gospel learning and teaching in Church meetings and at home are to help develop testimonies of Jesus Christ and to strengthen families and individual members. You can improve the way the gospel is taught by understanding and following these three gospel principles. They will also help you as a teacher to be more effective in carrying out your sacred responsibilities.

These three guiding principles can best be implemented by Sunday School teachers and leaders as they participate in the following activities:

A. “Lay hold upon the word of God” (Helaman 3:29). Gospel teaching and learning are most effective when centered on the doctrines and principles of the restored gospel as they are found in the scriptures, in the teachings of latter-day prophets, in Church publications, and through the promptings of the Holy Ghost (see Alma 31:5; John 1:1; Helaman 5:12; D&C 11:21; 52:9; 18:34–36; Alma 32:21; 37:11; Romans 10:17; Teaching Guidebook [2001], 5). You are invited to search, ponder, and carefully study the scriptures as you prepare and teach your lesson each week.  Watch video

B. “Preach my gospel by the Spirit” (D&C 50:14). The most important and effective teaching, learning, and nourishing that takes place at church or in the home is that which is communicated to the individual through the influence of the Holy Ghost (see John 14:26; D&C 42:14; 46:2, 8–9; Alma 17:2–3; D&C 84:85; Teaching Guidebook, 5–6). You are invited to prepare your lesson and preach or teach the gospel in your classroom by the Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost.  Watch video

C. “Seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). In addition to being a “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21), faith is also a “principle of action” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 1). Inspired teaching and learning are best accomplished when both teacher and learner live and act upon the doctrines and principles being taught (see John 7:17; D&C 88:77; 2 Nephi 25:23; Alma 32:27; Helaman 15:7; 3 Nephi 27:21–22; Ether 2:16–25; 3:1–6; Teaching Guidebook, 6–7). You are invited to seek learning, even by study and also by faith, as you prepare your lesson and teach the gospel in your classroom each week.  Watch video