Introduction to the Objective of CES

The objective of religious education in the Church Educational System is to assist the individual, the family, and priesthood leaders in accomplishing the mission of the Church by—

1. Teaching students the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Teaching students by precept and example.

3. Providing a spiritual and social climate.

4. Preparing young people for effective Church service (see Teaching the Gospel: A Handbook for CES Teachers and Leaders [1994], 3).

“A major part of teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ” is teaching students to come to the Lord “in an attitude of inquiry and seeking” (see Teaching the Gospel: A Handbook, 5).

Invite teachers to read the information in the gray box on page 3 of the handbook. Lead a discussion using the following questions:

• What is the objective of religious education in CES? (see handbook, 3).

• What are the four aspects of the CES objective? (see handbook, 3).

• How does each aspect of the CES objective help fulfill the mission of the Church? (see handbook, 3).

Ask teachers to read the fourth paragraph under the section entitled “CES and the Mission of the Church” (handbook, 3). Ask teachers: What is the significance of the approval given to the CES objective? (see handbook, 3).

Read and discuss the following statement by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

After reviewing President Hinckley’s counsel about three things to provide every convert, write the headings “The Four Aspects of the CES Objective” and “Three Things to Provide Every Convert” on the board. Invite teachers to compare the information in the two columns as they fill in the chart. The completed chart might look something like the following:

Ask teachers:

• How does President Hinckley’s counsel compare to the CES objective?

• How does this comparison help you better understand the CES objective?

Invite teachers to carefully read the first four paragraphs on page 5 of the handbook and look for the type of attitude we are to have when we come unto the Lord. Ask teachers:

• What attitude does the Lord invite His children to have? (see handbook, 5).

• How have you encouraged this attitude in your students?

• In what ways do you think inspiring an “attitude of inquiry and seeking” is a major part of teaching students the gospel?

• How did the Savior nurture this attitude in His disciples?

Write the following four phrases on the board. Invite teachers to separate into pairs or small groups and complete the phrases by writing their responses on a sheet of paper. Have a representative from each group share the responses with the in-service group.