Maybe the ward I grew up in wasn’t that good at its visiting teaching. Whatever the reason, I have no idea how to visit teach. The RSP in my ward gave us these nice little guidelines but they don’t answer the questions I have and now that I’m in Primary I’m never in RS to ask.
I realize that this is the kind of thing to vary from teacher to teacher and visitee to visitee but… just what exactly are we supposed to do? How are we to deliver the message? My companion has no more idea than I do. Do we chat for awhile then give the message and leave? Are we supposed to write out a lesson with questions and activities? How does one turn the selection of quotes in the visiting teaching section of the “Ensign” into a lesson?
March 1, 2006 at 5:46 am
You are certainly correct in saying that how you visit teach varies from sister to sister. I have been a VT for decades, in many different countries, and I love how the program has evolved over the years. Here are some ideas to start you thinking about how YOU want to carry out your assignment as a VT:
I think a good visiting teacher is more than just a friend who helps us out in times of need; she also tries to “teach” the things that our leaders feel we need to learn, as expressed in the VT message in the “Ensign.”
Usually you chat a bit when you arrive, so you know how the sister is doing, and if she has any particular needs. I know some sisters that seem uncomfortable giving the “message,” but personally, I think that it is a wonderful opportunity to bring the Spirit into the home of the person we are visiting. I think the word “message” in the case of VT means the sharing of some spiritual thoughts relating to a particular theme; it is not a “lesson” like we get in Sunday School or Relief Society. You generally don’t need to prepare handouts, an outline,etc., unless you feel prompted to do so in a particular case.
Whether the sister is super-active or not much interested in the Church, when the Spirit is brought into play, good things can happen. The beauty of the new format with a theme and quotes is that I see at least one quote every month that is appropriate for just about any situation the sister may be in: unmarried, single parent, busy mother, elderly nursing home resident, totally active, less active. As you prayfully consider each sister you visit, you may focus in on just one, two, or several of the quotes. There is always one from a member of the R.S. general presidency, and the others are from the prophets and apostles of this dispensation and from the Scriptures. You can introduce the subject in a natural way, perhaps by a comment like, “One of the quotes in the message for this month particularly struck me. Pres. Hinckley (or Sister Parkin, the General Relief Society President) said the following about (insert subject),” and then read, or ask your companion or the sister to read a quote. You can then ask the sister for her reaction to the quote, or her thoughts about the subject; and/or you can offer your personal reaction. As it says in the introduction to each message, “Share your experiences and testimony. Invite those you teach to do the same.”
Even those of us who are fully committed, believing members, benefit from a heartfelt expression of gospel truths, and it doesn’t need to be a long discussion to have an inspiring effect.
Your companion and those you teach may well become dear friends, even if you don’t seem to have much in common at first. The Spirit helps us understand one another, and binds us together in love as we read and talk about the inspired words given in the monthly messages.
March 1, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Thank you for your input! I’ve really felt at loose ends, it’s nice to have something to work from.
March 2, 2006 at 12:27 am
“”Do we chat for awhile then give the message and leave? ”
that’s the way I’m fmailair with.
chat a half hour or so, then say “the message this week is about x” read a quote or two. Elaborate your personal thoughts and/or let the sister share hers. that’s about it!
In between visits, be friendly and help her out
March 2, 2006 at 4:31 am
I’m a visiting teaching supervisor. Send me an e-mail and I’ll be glad to help.
We’re happenin’ in our ward. I bet we have among the highest visiting teaching stats in the church, let alone our stake. Although I’ve cut the apron strings, fired the visiting teaching police, and gone to the golden rule, so the numbers will go down, as they should.
Anyway, oh, and I promise to only answer once. I’m sort of Monkish about answering e-mails. We are agreed.
March 3, 2006 at 1:52 am
annegb, where can I find your email?
September 18, 2006 at 12:11 am
Tell me what you do as a VT supervisor to motivate the sisters on your route please. We have a Leadership meeting next month and I need some pointers. Thanks, Laura Hall