Abrahamic / Middle Eastern Christianity Better Visiting Teaching How to Improve Your Visiting Teaching Share Flipboard Email Print Brand X Pictures Christianity Latter Day Saints Beliefs and Teachings Scriptures Christianity Origins The Bible The New Testament The Old Testament Practical Tools for Christians Christian Life For Teens Christian Prayers Weddings Inspirational Bible Devotions Denominations of Christianity Funerals and Memorial Services Christian Holidays Christian Entertainment Key Terms in Christianity Catholicism View More by Rachel Bruner Rachel Bruner is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a graduate of the LDS Church's Seminary and Institute of Religion programs. Updated May 07, 2017 Our Relief Society class discussed ideas on how to better our visiting teaching including our relationships with our companions and the sisters we visit. There are three specific areas we discussed, but I've also included a fourth area with ideas for visiting teaching less active sisters. How To Be Better Visiting Teaching Companions Become friendsKeep in touchRemember each other’s birthdaysSocialize together at church and at activitiesSupport each otherGet alongEncourage each other (especially those who are new to visiting teaching)Be a motivator, even if it means doing most or all of the workDecide in advance who will make the assignments and who will plan the lesson (one sister can do everything one month and the other can do it the next month or you can split the assignments and switch them each month)Help to arrange babysitting if necessary How To Be Better Visiting Teachers "Just Do It"Plan earlyListen to your sisters and get to know themPray for your sisters and pray for inspiration to help themBe aware of their needs (look beneath the surface) including health concernsDon't make them a statistic, love themDon't give up or be discouraged, have faithRespect them, don't judge themHave a message prepared but be open for spiritually inspired messages or teaching opportunitiesRead the full message with your sistersRemember their birthdaysSocialize with your visiting teaching sisters at church and at activitiesOne monthly visit/contact should be the minimum not the maximum How to Have Better Visits Teach with lovePray with your companion before the visitBegin and end each visit with a prayerLeave your own troubles at the doorLearn to listen, don't just talkCultivate Christ-like attributesHave one companion play with disruptive children while the other visits with the sister (when necessary)Don't gossip during or after your visits (center conversations around those present)Keep your visits confidential (unless something important should be reported to the Relief Society President or Bishop)Be positive and uplifting How to Visit Less Active Sisters Including many of the ideas above here are some additional ideas to help you visit those sisters who are less active or who don't want to be visit taught: Make an effort to contact them more than once a monthInvite them to activities/churchServe themTry all kinds of ways to contact them (notes, cards, treats, phone calls, flowers, small gifts, etc.)Leave a copy of the monthly message or other inspired thoughts/scriptures (it might be their only spiritual contact for the month)Pray for inspiration for other types of approaches you could use, such as humor or another special type of serviceTalk to their family or friends (if available) to see if they have any special concerns (such as health/allergies)Talk to their home teachers to see if they have had contact with them and if so see if you can accompany them on their next visit so the sister can get to know youAlways pray for them When we do our best the Lord will do the rest. Remember this is his work and if you are willing he will use you as a tool to accomplish his work. Continue Reading