Part 1: Creating a Transformational Sunday School | An Interview with Dan Duckworth

Dan Duckworth is the founder and host of LeaderQuest, an elite
leadership program that transforms managers and executives into
dynamic changemakers. He speaks, teaches, and writes on leadership
and leadership development, and provides one-on-one coaching to
leaders aiming to drive transformational change. Dan has served as
a board member for Leading Saints since 2019. To learn more, visit
idylli.co or find Dan on LinkedIn. This is the first of a two-part
conversation Links Part 2 of this conversation The True Purpose of
Sunday School Why Testimony is Not the Only Goal for Latter-day
Youth—Part 1 | A Presentation by Dan Duckworth Sunday School
Session Template From Aspirational Principles to Practical
Principles Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Highlights This is the first of a two-part podcast conversation.
Kurt and Dan explore the challenges faced by local leaders in
adapting to changes in church programs, particularly in Sunday
School and ministering. They critique the tendency to revert to
traditional methods rather than embracing innovative approaches
that align with The Church's evolving directives. Drawing on
scriptural examples, they illustrate the need for leaders to
actively engage in creating a culture that supports spiritual
growth and community building. Dan emphasizes the importance of
understanding the unique characteristics of Sunday School,
including the nature of its membership, the role of teachers, and
the communal aspect of spiritual development. Throughout the
episode, they advocate for a shift from knowledge transfer to
transformational teaching, encouraging leaders to experiment with
new methods that foster engagement and personal growth. By
redefining the purpose of Sunday School and embracing a more
dynamic, interactive approach, local leaders can create an
environment where individuals feel empowered to share their
spiritual journeys and support one another. The discussion
ultimately serves as a call to action for leaders to embrace their
roles in cultivating a vibrant, Christ-centered community that
reflects the principles of the gospel. 04:45 - The Connection
Between Leadership and Zion 06:15 - The Role of Culture in
Leadership 07:50 - The Importance of Transformational Leadership
09:30 - The Need for Change in Church Programs 10:50 - The Allegory
of the Olive Tree and Leadership 12:30 - The Natural Order of
Church Gatherings 14:00 - The Role of Local Leaders in Cultural
Change 15:30 - The Power of Experimentation in Teaching 17:00 - The
Purpose of Sunday School 19:00 - Understanding the Unique
Characteristics of Sunday School 20:30 - The Role of Membership in
Sunday School 22:00 - The Teacher's Role in Sunday School 23:30 -
The Nature of Gathering in Sunday School 25:00 - The Shift from
Knowledge Transfer to Transformation 27:00 - Engaging Students in a
Dynamic Learning Environment 29:00 - The Importance of Energy
Management in Teaching 30:30 - The Need for a Clear Purpose in
Sunday School 32:00 - The Three Primary Characteristics of Sunday
School 34:00 - The Individual Journey in Sunday School 36:00 - The
Collective Engagement in Spiritual Development 38:00 - The Shift
from Sage on the Stage to Guide on the Side 40:00 - Observations on
Youth and Adult Sunday School Dynamics Coming soon: Part 2 of this
conversation The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the
top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit
Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better
prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes
for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle
Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena
Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith
III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H.
Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister,