Changes

Are there (anymore) [[questions]] this evening?

Are there (anymore) [[questions]] this evening?

==Session 3==                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

==Session 3==                                                                                                                                                                              

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 01:23:26 EST

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 01:23:26 EST

TOPIC: Sunday School

TOPIC: Sunday School

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

TOMAS: Are there questions this evening?

TOMAS: Are there questions this evening?

ELYSSIA: I do want to ask you, Tomas. I had my little Sunday School today, and I was disappointed in the effects and I was disappointed with what I d id and disappointed with the result, and I wanted to ask you again to help me . That lesson that you started to tell me about, I didn't really understand it. It was something about asking the little ones to talk about what you reall y care about? Is that what that lesson was? I wanted to get it straight.

TOMAS: The lesson is about [[sincerity]]. The exercise is to ask them to [[manifest]] their sincerity as [[compared]] to their superficiality. In order for them to manifest sincerity, it is [[necessary]] for them to speak [[intimately]]. There is a [[difference]] between intimacy and familiarity. Most people speak familiarly because this is how they learn it at [[home]], but a new way, [[trusting]] [[the Father]], you will learn through trusting him and trusting the [[God within]] your brethren that you can be intimate, and this is a more [[satisfying]] sort of [[relationship]] in which you can be sincere.

TOMAS: The lesson is about sincerity. The exercise is to ask them to manifest their sincerity as compared to their superficiality. In order for them to manifest sincerity, it is necessary for them to speak intimately. There is a difference between intimacy and familiarity. Most people speak familiarly because this is how they learn it at home, but a new way, trusting the Father, you will learn through trusting him and trusting the God within your brethren that you can be intimate, and this is a more satisfying sort of relationship in which you can be sincere.

The lesson was for [[sincerity]]. [[Practice]] sincerity until you recognize how it is intended to be used to promote your own [[relationship]] with [[divinity]], and pass this on to those you teach.

The lesson was for sincerity. Practice sincerity until you recognize how it is intended to be used to promote your own relationship with divinity, and pass this on to those you teach.

ELYSSIA: Can you put that into [[words]] that I can use for my children? Or do you want me to do that?

ELYSSIA: Can you put that into words that I can use for my children? Or do you want me to do that?

TOMAS: [[Become]] as a little child and speak [[sincerely]] and intimately with them, [[engaging]] them in an intimate [[dialog]] about something meaningful, something of [[value]]. Allow them to [[experience]] this and to relish the flavor of this degree of reality so that they have been reinforced. It will be their [[duty]] to re turn to their environments and be [[exposed]] to lesser realities, and yet they will have had this feeding, this [[opportunity]] to enhance their taste of [[sincerity]].

TOMAS: Become as a little child and speak sincerely and intimately with them, engaging them in an intimate dialog about something meaningful, something of value. Allow them to experience this and to relish the flavor of this degree of reality so that they have been reinforced. It will be their duty to re turn to their environments and be exposed to lesser realities, and yet they will have had this feeding, this opportunity to enhance their taste of sincerity.

ELYSSIA:What is a possible thing that is of [[value]] that we can talk about, for instance, in this [[intimate]] way?

ELYSSIA:What is a possible thing that is of value that we can talk about, for instance, in this intimate way?

TOMAS:By and large you may take a [[Bible]] story and apply a [[feeling]] to it . I suggest this since you are talking about a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunday_School Sunday School] class. If you have a lesson or a [[parable]] or a [[scripture]] and [[Jesus]] is the [[focus]], if you have his words to use as a backdrop, you can then sincerely [[discuss]] how he must have felt, and how you can [[share]] that feeling with each other. Bring the [[sincere]] [[truth]] of his [[mota]] to life. Allow these children to revel in the [[reality]] of [[Jesus]]' [[words]] and how they personally can [[attain]] that same sensation of [[value]] in themselves and in their extended [[relationship]] with others.

TOMAS:By and large you may take a Bible story and apply a feeling to it . I suggest this since you are talking about a Sunday School class. If you have a lesson or a parable or a scripture and Jesus is the focus, if you have his words to use as a backdrop, you can then sincerely discuss how he must have felt, and how you can share that feeling with each other. Bring the sincere truth of his mota to life. Allow these children to revel in the reality of Jesus' words and how they personally can attain that same sensation of value in themselves and in their extended relationship with others.

ELYSSIA:Okay. Let's say: Today we had the [[story]] of [[Jesus]] [[164:3 Healing the Blind Beggar|healing the blind man]]. I would talk about how Jesus felt deep concern - and these children always respond [[beautifully]] to that - so caring.

ELYSSIA:Okay. Let's say: Today we had the story of Jesus healing the blind man. I would talk about how Jesus felt deep concern - and these children always respond beautifully to that - so caring.

TOMAS:Perhaps then you could, for an example, blindfold a student, and rather than making [[light]] of it, as if it were a [[game]], as if you were playing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_Man's_Bluff Blind Man's Bluff], instead of turning them around and making them [[dizzy]] and laughing at their [[blindness]], allow them to feel the loss of [[vision]], the deprivation and the sudden leaning toward acute [[development]] of the other [[senses]] to allow for a compensation of sorts. In other words, you become more acute in your hearing, or you become more [[aware]] of temperature or other external sensations in order to [[compensate]] for not being able to see.

TOMAS:Perhaps then you could, for an example, blindfold a student, and rather than making light of it, as if it were a game, as if you were playing Blind Man's Bluff, instead of turning them around and making them dizzy and laughing at their blindness, allow them to feel the loss of vision, the deprivation and the sudden leaning toward acute development of the other senses to allow for a compensation of sorts. In other words, you become more acute in your hearing, or you become more aware of temperature or other external sensations in order to compensate for not being able to see.

And although there are always [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_lining_%28idiom%29 silver linings], you can surely share with the blindfolded [[youth]], the deprivation of [[blindness]]. And once the [[game]] has gone beyond fun and into [[reality]], release the blindfold with [[Michael]]'s [[blessing]] and show how wonderful it is to be able to see the gift of [[sight]]. And if they are with you, if you have captured your [[students]], if you have engaged them in their [[sincerity]], and if you have time, you may be able to then [[analogize]] how it is to learn to see with eyes to see in the [[spirit]].

And although there are always silver linings, you can surely share with the blindfolded youth, the deprivation of blindness. And once the game has gone beyond fun and into reality, release the blindfold with Michael's blessing and show how wonderful it is to be able to see the gift of sight. And if they are with you, if you have captured your students, if you have engaged them in their sincerity, and if you have time, you may be able to then analogize how it is to learn to see with eyes to see in the spirit.

It is always a [[challenge]], Elyssia, to be a [[teacher]] and a [[preacher]], but always when you ask [[Our Father]] for [[counsel]] and [[guidance]], you will be given it. You must begin to develop your own [[curriculum]], based on many of these teaching [[techniques]] you know I have used with you as well as the many, many [[opportunities]] for learning the exemplary [[methods]] of [[Our Master]] when he walked on [[Urantia]] and taught.

It is always a challenge, Elyssia, to be a teacher and a preacher, but always when you ask Our Father for counsel and guidance, you will be given it. You must begin to develop your own curriculum, based on many of these teaching techniques you know I have used with you as well as the many, many opportunities for learning the exemplary methods of Our Master when he walked on Urantia and taught.

ELYSSIA:Could you simplify one of Jesus' lessons for me that could also be useful for next Sunday, because really I don't think I have a feel for this. I can't [[believe]] it because I love my Lord and his words, but to teach my [[reactions]] is just teaching a lot of [[emotion]]ality.

ELYSSIA:Could you simplify one of Jesus' lessons for me that could also be useful for next Sunday, because really I don't think I have a feel for this. I can't believe it because I love my Lord and his words, but to teach my reactions is just teaching a lot of emotionality

TOMAS: You do yourself a disservice, Elyssia. There is much more to you than an emotional [[appeal]]. If you short-change yourself like that, you will never be an effective teacher. There is in you One who can and will if you will work with that [[desire]] to give what you have [[received]].

TOMAS: You do yourself a disservice, Elyssia. There is much more to you than an emotional appeal. If you short-change yourself like that, you will never be an effective teacher. There is in you One who can and will if you will work with that desire to give what you have received.

I cannot give you an effective [[example]], inasmuch as it is [[necessary]] for you to be where the lesson is. And this in itself is a lesson. [[The Master]] was skilled at it. He would look at a circumstance and find within it the ingredients to create a lesson of lasting [[value]], based upon the raw materials at hand.

I cannot give you an effective example, inasmuch as it is necessary for you to be where the lesson is. And this in itself is a lesson. The Master was skilled at it. He would look at a circumstance and find within it the ingredients to create a lesson of lasting value, based upon the raw materials at hand.

ELYSSIA: The only one that comes to my [[mind]] is the story when [[167:6 Blessing the Little Children|Jesus told the children]] to come to him and the people standing around didn't think that it was seemly, and how often these little ones have [[experienced]] that.

ELYSSIA: The only one that comes to my mind is the story when Jesus told the children to come to him and the people standing around didn't think that it was seemly, and how often these little ones have experienced that.

TOMAS: Is it [[necessary]] for you to plan in advance how you will [[teach]] and [[preach]]? Can you not go with the mode O'day? How do you suppose Jesus thought about his many lessons ahead of time?

ELYSSIA: But that was our [[Creator Son]]!

 

ELYSSIA: But that was our Creator Son!

TOMAS: And did he not say that you would do wondrous works also? Even greater.

TOMAS: And did he not say that you would do wondrous works also? Even greater.

RACHEL: I agree with Tomas. Only because when I plan, it seems to fail more because I'm constantly thinking of the plan, but when we pray for the guidance, it seems to just flow naturally, without forethought.

RACHEL: I [[agree]] with Tomas. Only because when I [[plan]], it seems to fail more because I'm constantly [[thinking]] of the plan, but when we pray for the [[guidance]], it seems to just [[flow]] naturally, without forethought.

TOMAS: Here again we return to the citadel of the spirit wherein you attain your reality and learn to trust, whereupon you are intrusted.

TOMAS: Here again we return to the [[citadel]] of [[Ta|the spirit]] wherein you [[attain]] your [[reality]] and learn to [[trust]], whereupon you are intrusted.

ELYSSIA: Well, I certainly feel that I know and love the stories of the life of Jesus. Now that's the one thing I think I really know. I know that I love the stores about Jesus.

ELYSSIA: Well, I certainly feel that I know and love the [[stories]] of [[the life of Jesus]]. Now that's the one thing I think I really know. I know that I love the stores about [[Jesus]].

TOMAS: I know you are saying that you love the stories of Jesus, and I h ear you with my ears to hear telling me that it is the stories that you love. Remember that the stories are representative of the value, and it is the value, Elyssia, that you want to impart as a reality to these humans. If they grasp the value of the lesson, the story itself becomes an embellishment of the reality, instead of the reality itself.

TOMAS: I know you are saying that you love the stories of [[Jesus]], and I hear you with my ears to hear telling me that it is the [[stories]] that you [[love]]. Remember that the stories are [[representative]] of the [[value]], and it is the value, Elyssia, that you want to impart as a [[reality]] to these humans. If they grasp the value of the lesson, the [[story]] itself becomes an embellishment of the [[reality]], instead of the reality itself.

ELYSSIA: I'm sure if I thought that through for a minute I would be able to find the value. Maybe I should.

ELYSSIA: I'm sure if I [[thought]] that through for a minute I would be able to find the [[value]]. Maybe I should.

TOMAS: Aesop would call it fable with a moral.

TOMAS: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesop Aesop] would call it fable with a [[moral]].

ELYSSIA: The moral to the fable. Okay. They are all so beautiful, these little children

ELYSSIA: The moral to the fable. Okay. They are all so [[beautiful]], these little children

TOMAS: Yes, we are.

TOMAS: Yes, we are.

ELYSSIA: I mean these little children in Sunday School are really beautiful.

ELYSSIA: I mean these little children in Sunday School are really [[beautiful]].

TOMAS: I can see you have a certain loyalty to your class and I can, to some extent, admire that and identify with it.

TOMAS: I can see you have a certain [[loyalty]] to your class and I can, to some extent, admire that and identify with it.

ELYSSIA: Well, I think they are going to be incredibly wonderful in serving God! They are so I think very sensitive, imaginative and bright.

ELYSSIA: Well, I think they are going to be incredibly [[wonderful]] in serving God! They are so I [[think]] very [[sensitive]], [[imaginative]] and bright.

===Closing===

===Closing===

TOMAS: Pray then that your faith in the Father and in their indwelling spirits will see them over the hurdles and that their trust in divine guidance will overrule the obstacles en route. I pray this for you also. I am going to depart now. I am with you always.

TOMAS: Pray then that your [[faith]] in [[the Father]] and in their [[indwelling spirits]] will see them over the hurdles and that their [[trust]] in divine [[guidance]] will overrule the [[obstacles]] en route. I pray this for you also. I am going to depart now. I am with you always.

[[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]]

[[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]]