Elder Quentin L. Cook (Oct. 17): "The Eternal Everyday"

-

The Activity:

1.     Ask the class members to pull out/open up the talk (perhaps have some available for us depending on the needs/resources of your class situation).

2.     Ask them to skim the talk and mark the times when Elder Cook tells us what humility is (there are many).

3.     Discuss what they found briefly (in case anyone was having trouble finding some).

4.     Ask each person to choose the two they think are most profound.

5.     Have group members form groups of three.

6.     In the group, a member shares her/his favorite passage (this is why they identify two.  If someone uses their first choice, they have a second choice to fall back on). 

7.     Group members take a few moments to silently ponder what was shared (maybe 30 seconds).

8.     Group members, then, spend a few moments (90 seconds-ish) discussing the quote.  They might talk about things such as how the quote represents true humility or how that passage might be operationalized, etc.

9.     Repeat steps 6-8 with the second group member’s quote and then with the last group member’s quote.

10. Come back together and share insights about what was learned.



Using the Activity:

This strategy is really effective, I believe, because it makes room for a variety of voices sharing their own ideas and preferences and not simply reacting to someone else’s thoughts.  We all know people who are extremely hesitant to share what they think and/or feel.  This strategy requires everyone to participate, but it does not keep the focus on any one person for too long.  That way, no one needs to feel unduly focuses on. 

Finally, I like the idea of operationalizing the points of this conversation.  After all, we are to “liken the scriptures to ourselves” (I Ne. 19:10).  And aren’t the words of our prophets, seers, and revelators scripture?  So, let’s apply these teachings to ourselves.  Besides, the principle of humility is a sensitive issue for many yet it is a principle that so urgently needs more attention in our day.

Please let me know how this or any other idea works for you.  Also, please feel free to leave comments about how you might have adapted this activity (or any other as well).  That way, people who teach after you can see other ways of doing things—ways that may be more appropriate for their situations.  I thank you for using these ideas.  It is my way of sharing a talent (or what I perceive to be a talent) and I am always glad to hear that someone has benefited from what I have shared.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Elder Valeri V. Cordon (Oct. '23): "Divine Parenting Lessons"

-
 I appreciated this talk.  Elder Cordon shares some great insight and applies the gospel well in drawing his conclusions.  This is a talk that I will return to again and that I will recommend to my oldest son now that he is a father as well (especially when studied in conjunction with some of the other talks/passages from this conference that addressed parenting). The Activity: Prior to class , choose several phrases from the talk that represent actionable items that class members could apply at home now.  Compile these phrases/passages into a single document and print out a copy for each class member.  Passages might include the following: Par. 5 "Adopting the gospel culture" Par. 15 "Create an environment where our children can feel [God's] influence" Par. 12 "Invite to Act" Par 8 "Teach [the gospel] liberally, generously, and without restraint" Pass out a sheet to each class member. Ask the class members to read over the ideas on the sheet...
Read more

Pres. Russell M. Nelson (Apr. '24): "Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys"

-
 This is a relatively short talk, but it is full of both invitations and promises from our prophet.  The blessings enumerated and promised are especially inspiring (par. 25-31).  However, for this activity I chose to focus on the invitations that Pres. Nelson extends to us as members. The Activity: Insure that every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Insure that every class member has something to write with and on (a device would work fine). Write on the board (or post printed statements) of the 3 (or 5 depending on how you choose to break up the last one) invitations that Pres. Nelson gives us. Par. 8-9 "Jesus Christ then . . . for you personally." Par. 16 "Consider how your . . . to the earth." Par. 19-22 "I invite you . . . home to Him."  (the three statements here could be listed separately). Ask the class members to read these statements and spend a moment silently considering one of the invitations. (Option...
Read more

Elder Dale G. Renlund (Apr. '21): "Infuriating Unfairness"

-
 I feel like one of the defining characteristics of Elder Renlund is his compassion.  I suppose that is probably true of each of the apostles (and others), but in his case, Elder Renlund's compassion always seems to be on full display.  This talk is no exception in my book. The Activity: Explain to the class that Elder Renlund gave us at least three things we were to do when faced with "infuriating unfairness" and that in this activity the class members will be exploring these pieces of advice. Divide the class into three groups. Assign each groups one of the following passages: Par. 14 "In unfair situations . . . for our benefit" (trust in God) Par. 15 "We can try . . .  to do so) (develop greater faith) Par. 16 "As we develop . . . sphere of influence" (become like Christ) Ask each group to read their assigned passages, identify exactly what is counseled in that passage (they may word this differently that I did above), and discuss how each acti...
Read more