In this powerful episode of Teaching Restored, hosts Kevin Jones and Julie Hillyard sit down with special guest Kyle Smith to discuss the exciting new direction for their expanded teaching community. Learn how divine guidance brought Kyle and the Teaching Restored team together in their shared mission to elevate the teaching of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ across the Church.

Kyle talks about his deep passion for gospel teaching, sharing his origin story as a seminary and institute teacher and the important lesson he learned about always centering Jesus Christ in every aspect of teaching—regardless of the topic. The conversation dives into practical strategies for gospel teachers, including how to prepare lessons that truly connect students with Christ rather than simply covering doctrinal topics. Kyle demonstrates how the restored gospel, church programs, and even challenging life experiences become more meaningful when viewed through the lens of faith in Jesus Christ.

Explore the exciting new resources Teaching Restored is launching: a weekly blog, a monthly newsletter, dynamic social media, and the dream of building a supportive online community for gospel teachers around the world. The episode is rich with stories, actionable insights, and heartfelt testimonies about the transformative power of Christ-centered teaching.

Whether you're a Primary teacher, a seminary or institute instructor, or a parent teaching at home, this episode will inspire you to make your teaching a window that leads others to Jesus. Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and join the Teaching Restored newsletter to stay connected with this uplifting, growing movement!

In this episode we are going to focus on what teachers can do to prepare effective lessons. Julie dives in and explores very current examples of preparation. From understanding context, to asking yourself questions about the topic, to connecting it all back to Jesus Christ. We also talk about some fantastic resources to help you prepare your lessons. We should avoid merely ticking off boxes during our preparations; instead, we should ask ourselves questions and truly seek answers. There have been times when lessons were rushed due to unexpected circumstances but ideally, we aim for thorough preparation which aids personal growth as well as enabling us help others change, drawing them closer to Jesus Christ.

In this episode of Teaching Restored, we dive into the transformative power of empathic listening. Join us as we explore the difference between attentive and empathic listening and discover how being vulnerable to the Spirit's guidance can enhance our teaching. Through personal stories and practical insights, we learn the importance of actively listening, summarizing responses, and providing emotional air to create a safe and engaging classroom environment. Tune in to learn how to foster understanding, gain valuable insights from others, and truly connect with our students through empathic listening.

This episode teaches a powerful gospel point but winds up not being about that point at all - rather it is a lesson on HOW one might teach. We often hear how we should talk less and listen more, but actually how is that done? Kevin shows one way this might happen while bringing to light a powerful gospel point. Join us as we give in for a double feature - gospel learning and an example of how to teach talk less and teach more!

This is a throwback to one of our foundational episodes. In this question-provoking episode of Teaching Restored, we explore the profound impact of skillful questioning in the teaching process. Join us as we delve into the power of questioning assumptions and challenging beliefs, and discover how it can lead to growth and self-reflection. Through personal stories and examples, we learn how asking the right questions can foster engaging discussions, create transformative moments, and strengthen the connection between teacher and student. Elevate your teaching skills and unlock the potential for deeper learning by incorporating skillful questioning into your lessons.

This episode is FULL of those lightbulb moments we all crave when it comes to gospel learning and teaching. Why is church and lessons so boring? And why is it a good thing?

5 Keys You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Plainness Isn’t Boring—It’s Powerful: Discover why Church settings are intentionally stripped of distraction and flash, and how that opens space for the Spirit to do its work.

2. Emotion vs. Spirit: Learn how to tell the difference between emotional moments and genuine spiritual experiences—especially when the band isn’t playing.

3. Reflective Questions Matter: Hear about how using simple, reflective questions with family can spark unexpected insights (and some laughs).

4. Teaching Isn’t About Entertainment: Julie and Kevin unpack why you don’t need to be a performer to be an effective gospel teacher—sometimes, less is more.

5. Learning is an Active Choice: Find out why being a great learner (not just a great teacher) means showing up ready to seek, ponder, and search for truth—even when it’s “boring”.

This episode is a heartfelt, practical look at how to navigate faith conversations with those of other faiths with grace, humility, and even a bit of humor. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher, just starting to connect with people of other beliefs, or simply want to strengthen your testimony, you’ll find something inspiring here.

Highlights:

1. Why Vocabulary Matters: Learn how words like “salvation,” “conversion,” and even “Christian” can mean wildly different things across faiths, and why understanding this can totally change your conversations.

2. Approaching with Curiosity, Not Agenda: Hear about Julie's meeting with a local pastor and why seeking first to understand (rather than just explain) made all the difference.

3. The Power of Asking Honest Questions: Get practical tips on how being genuinely curious can lead to deeper, more spiritual discussions—even when beliefs seriously differ.

4. Finding the Common Light: Discover how seemingly huge doctrinal gaps don’t have to divide us, and why shared love for the Savior can actually increase love and respect on both sides.

5. How Challenges Grow Our Testimonies: See why tough questions from others can push us to reflect, clarify, and deepen our own beliefs in beautiful ways.

Kevin and Julie dive into five soul-stretching questions every gospel teacher can use to reflect on their effectiveness. Rooted in "Teaching in the Savior’s Way," these questions explore whether learners can feel a teacher’s love for the Savior, recognize their personal spiritual habits, and recall stories that deepen faith.

Through honest conversation and personal experiences—both humbling and humorous—they model what it means to teach with authenticity, vulnerability, and purpose. This episode reminds us that impactful teaching starts with who we are, not just what we say.

_______________

Subscribe for more free YouTube Tips: https://www.youtube.com/teachingrestored?sub_confirmation=1

Find all episodes: https://teachingrestored

Ask a question for us to answer on our podcast: https://teachingrestored.com/contact-us/

Join us on:

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachingrestored

✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teachingrestored

✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@teachingrestored

Julie and Kevin share a simple yet powerful model for gospel teaching built on three principles: center on Christ, teach from the scriptures, and make it relevant to real life. They draw on insights from a Church podcast, personal experiences, and hard-won lessons in the classroom.

The episode highlights how great teaching isn’t about performance, but about connection—inviting the Spirit, understanding your learners, and turning every lesson toward the Savior.

_______________

Subscribe for more free YouTube Tips: https://www.youtube.com/teachingrestored?sub_confirmation=1

Find all episodes: https://teachingrestored

Ask a question for us to answer on our podcast: https://teachingrestored.com/contact-us/

Join us on:

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachingrestored

✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teachingrestored

✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@teachingrestored

Julie and Kevin dive into one of the most challenging parts of teaching the gospel — responding to emotionally charged, sound bite questions about love, inclusion, and Church doctrine. With honesty, vulnerability, and humor, they unpack what it means to answer with both clarity and compassion. Through personal stories, tough conversations, and real examples, they explore how to navigate topics like temple exclusion, same-sex attraction, and perceived inequality in a way that honors both truth and the lived experiences of others. This episode is a thoughtful guide on how to move past defensiveness, ask better questions, and build understanding — not just for others, but within ourselves. It's a call to teach deeper, love better, and think more intentionally about how we share the restored gospel in a complex world.

_______________

Subscribe for more free YouTube Tips: https://www.youtube.com/teachingrestored?sub_confirmation=1

Find all episodes: https://teachingrestored

Ask a question for us to answer on our podcast: https://teachingrestored.com/contact-us/

Join us on:

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachingrestored

✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teachingrestored

✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@teachingrestored