Summary of the Tampa Area In-service Training (Jan 26, 2025)

Opening Thoughts and Prayer (00:00:00–00:01:22)

The session began with a reflection on the importance of teaching youth the gospel of Jesus Christ, followed by an opening prayer offered by Brother Bowen.

Building Connections and Sharing Experiences (00:01:23–00:03:18)

Brother Bowen discussed using youth sports as a medium to connect with students, emphasizing relationships' impact on engagement in seminary.

Spiritual Thought (00:04:09–00:07:12)

A participant shared a story about training a rescue dog, drawing parallels to God's patience and love for His children. This prompted discussions about repentance, change, and the Atonement.

Resource Awareness (00:07:15–00:10:53)

Teachers were encouraged to explore resources on the Seminary & Institute (S&I) website: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/si.

Important training dates and events, such as the annual CES conference and local in-person sessions, were highlighted.

Addressing Emotional Emergencies (00:10:54–00:17:21)

Guidance was provided on handling sensitive situations like abuse, suicidal thoughts, and depression, emphasizing reporting and involving professional resources.

Teachers were reminded of their roles in creating safe environments and observing behavioral changes in students.

Life Preparation Lessons (00:17:32–00:24:20)

Several teachers shared experiences integrating life preparation lessons, emphasizing their relevance to students' lives and the long-term impact of gospel-centered teachings.

Interactive activities, such as Jenga, were used to illustrate gospel principles like building a foundation on Christ.

Fostering a Respectful and Inclusive Environment (00:24:21–00:30:00)

Teachers were trained to create environments where students feel valued and are encouraged to share personal experiences. Relevant scriptures and prophetic messages, such as Elder Dale G. Renlund's talk "Through God’s Eyes," were recommended (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/through-gods-eyes?lang=eng).

Weekly CARE Videos (00:39:00–00:47:00)

The use of CARE videos to assist in lesson preparation and make lessons more relatable to students was discussed. Teachers shared positive feedback, noting how videos helped personalize and streamline their preparation.

Interactive Lesson Practice (00:50:00–01:15:00)

The session included a hands-on activity to practice creating relevant, student-centered lessons. Teachers were guided to identify lesson outcomes, connect scriptures to students' lives, and formulate thought-provoking questions.

*see image below

Closing Remarks and Prayer (01:27:00–01:29:16)

The session concluded with gratitude for the teachers’ dedication and a closing prayer by Sister Veronica Jensen.