Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella (Oct. 17): "Essential Truths-- Our Need to Act"

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The Activity:

Prior to class

1.     Prepare a handout for each student.  The handout should be a piece of paper divided into thirds.

2.     Label the sections of the paper as follows:

a.      God calls Prophets to lead and guide us

b.     The knowledge of the true nature of God

c.      Jesus Christ is our Savior

During class

1.     Pass out the handouts

2.     Ask the class members to write in each section of the paper, specific blessings we receive because we know each of those things that are in the headings.

3.     Ask the class members, after a few moments, to write a couple of sentences that explain why knowing each of those things is important.

4.     Have class members stand and move about the room.

5.     Class members are to find someone not sitting by them to share one thing from any one of the sections they have written on their papers with a partner.  They are also to listen to their partner’s item and discuss what was shared.

6.     Class members talk for a moment and then move on to another partner.

7.     Take enough time for every class member to speak with three or four others.

8.     Have everyone return to their seats and discuss what was shared.



Using the Activity:

In some situations, this amount of movement would not be wise for any number of reasons.  If you cannot move about this much, you could easily do the same thing by asking the class members to share in small groups with those sitting around them.  I prefer to get up and move about at least sometimes because it is a way to encourage class members to interact with people they may not otherwise talk with much.

By having them share and talk with three or four people, we are encouraging a greater familiarity among our class/quorum/group members.  Also, we are increasing the amount of different perspectives that we get to hear.  There is so much that we can learn from each other, but sometimes we need a little push to learn it.  This activity will hopefully provide that little push in a friendly way.
I hope this activity is beneficial.  God bless.    

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