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	Reports from the 1999 CES Symposium at BYU	Reports from the 1998 CES Symposium at BYU	Resources developed from the 1997 CES Symposium at BYU

Several posts from the List provide a wise word of caution. Thier words in red mine in Blue.

Just a general note of thought to everyone.... We have received words of warning from the CES personnel about lists of this kind. I heard that and wondered why...

Elder Scott again more specifically spelled it out when he said in his talk, "Don't bribe them, don't ______ [my interpretation without the text was don't try to amuse them]. Teach them to feel the Holy Spirit and recognize it in their lives." I see all of us at times desperate to make class amusing so we won't lose one or many. I see all of our intentions as good and noble. But I watch and listen hear and feel concerned that we tend to want to resort to primary methods rather than inspire and call the kids up to act as adults. I think of this not so nobly as I have a lot of kids, a part-time job, and am not that organized. So I tend to get overwhelmed listening to all the complicated systems everyone's put out! But actually, I can see that what my students need is to learn to study the scriptures as ADULTS. Not to be bribed, but to be inspired as to learning the habit of reading like an adult would do. Because in 1-4 years they'll be on their own, and they won't have a seminary teacher to use amusing bribes to inspire them. They need stronger testimonies. In our area, the transition to institute is really low!

One of the things that went really well for us yesterday was our first presidency meeting. They were GREAT! We talked about ideas THEY had for getting everyone to read. They liked the buddy idea, and THEY came up with a (convoluted but dear) system for calling each other to remind each other and make friends and just encourage each other to come. That to me seems like a "Savior's way" of getting the job done. They also wanted to have 10 min. of reading in class every week to help them stay in tune with it. I like to do that and then have them share something they've found in the verses read. The spirit comes into the room and it's always worth it. I'm going to have them write in journals a lot more this year, and bear testimonies a lot more. The spirit is the key. Italics Added

Please accept my comments with the spirit they're intended. Often, my inclination has been to use this list as a substitute for time on my knees and getting the Lord's way of teaching. His way is often less complicated, and ALWAYS works (looking at the long-term of course, which I am slower to have faith in but OF COURSE is true). I have been learning that with the youth, I want an immediate gratification that they've gotten it, when often I just have to trust that there's something underneath that blank stare and sure enough later on I'll find out there was!

I do use people's stories and lesson ideas and appreciate them all. I just encourage, esp. the new teachers, to trust that the Lord needs them to prepare the kids for the less "amusing" but ultimately more rewarding task of reading and feeling the spirit everyday. The Lord is helping us figure out how, and I know he will all of us, "Be still and know that I am God."
Carol