Elder Stanley G. Ellis (Oct. 17): "Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good"

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The Activity:

1.     Draw a line down the middle of the board.

2.     Label the left-hand side “Believe In”

3.     Ask class members what it means to believe in God?

4.     Discuss and list answers down that side of the board.  As you do so, talk about the blessing of believing in God.

5.     When conversation begins to lag, write “Trust” on the other side of the board.

6.     Now, ask what it means to trust God.

7.     Write down and discuss answers to this question as they are given.

8.     Spend some time comparing and contrasting the two lists as appropriate.

9.     Discuss how our lives are different when we trust God rather than just believing in Him.

10. Let this set the stage for the rest of your discussion.



Using the Activity:

From step 10 it is obvious that I consider this an opening activity.  Of course, it doesn’t have to be.  I just see it that way—a way to begin the lesson by hopefully inviting the Spirit in and helping the class members see and feel the importance of doing more than simply believing—of trusting. 

You could make other changes to this activity, if you wish to use small groups.  You might also to have class members jot down some ideas to the questions individually on paper before opening it up for discussion.  Any of these could be useful wrinkles.  Do what the Spirit guides you to do—that is always the most important factor in teaching. 

I hope that this strategy will work for you or be easily adaptable or simply be a catalyst to your thinking and pondering for something different and better.  Please let me know how it goes.

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