Elder Quentin L. Cook (Apr. 18): "Prepare to Meet God"

-
This is an activity to be used after discussing the talk for a bit.

The Activity:
  1. Read paragraph 6 of Section 2:  "As individuals . . . to meet God."
  2. Divide the class into three groups
  3. Assign each group one of the three purposes of the Church outlined in this talk
  4. Ask each group to consider and discuss the following questions:
    1. How could members in your area work toward the purpose of the Church your group has been assigned?
    2. How could increasing personal righteousness aid in helping fulfill this purpose?
    3. How would increased unity aid in achieving this purpose?
    4. How might your class support increased personal righteousness and unity in and among your class members?
  5. As the groups are talking about these things, create a table on the board with 4 rows across and 5 columns down.  That will be a row for each purpose and a column for each of the above questions along with a row and a column for labeling.
  6. After a few minutes, come together to talk about the answer to these questions.
  7. As class members share what they talked about, record their answers in the appropriate part of the table.
  8. Discuss the comments as you fill in the table.  Work hard to avoid the perception that there is only one right answer for each box.  Make sure to include multiple answers where appropriate and necessary.
  9. After the discussion winds down, ask the class members to set a goal to do one thing from the table better this week.
Using the Activity:
As with a few activities that I create this activity is focused on helping class members put into practice the doctrines and principles shared in a talk.  However, this is something that is most appropriately done after a discussion of the doctrine, which invites the Spirit into the class and helps prepare the class members to make inspired choices about future actions. 

Also, if the table doesn't really fit you or your class, don't worry.  It is simply a way to organize some thoughts that will appeal to some people.  All of our brains work differently and for some people a table is an excellent way to help them see connections and remember what was talked about.  For others, a table is simply a way to make things more confusing.  Judge what works best for your situation. 

Thank you for visiting this site.   I hope these ideas are useful, even (maybe especially) if their biggest help is as a catalyst for you to create your own activities.  God bless you in your efforts.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Elder Ronald A. Rasband (Apr. '23): "Hosanna to the Most High God"

-
 Like Elder Stevenson's talk, a quick reading of this talk might appear as if the talk were really about a holiday (Palm Sunday in this case).  However, it is really about so much more.  This is a powerful talk on coming to Christ and being prepared for His coming. The Activity: Make sure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Read par. 24-25 "We, like the . . . Father in Heaven." Discuss this passage briefly as a class. Point out that Elder Rasband mentions four ways to fill our lamps with oil. Divide the class into four groups and assign each group one of the doctrines that Elder Rasband discusses: Prophecy (par. 13-15:  "First, prophecy.  For . . . shall rise again.'") The Gift of the Holy Ghost (par. 16:  "Second, the companionship . . . of all things'") Discipleship (par. 17: "Third, discipleship.  True . . . cried, 'Crucify Him'") The Atonement (par. 18-19:  "Fourth, the Atone
Read more

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell (Oct. '23): "More Than a Hero"

-
 This talk is custom made for today.  All around us we can see people who choose worldly heroes to focus on and follow with little, if any, thought given to Christ and Father.  The results are perilous to us and to society.  This talk in some aspects reminds me of some of Pres. Kimball's teachings ( here , for example).   The Activity: Draw a line down the middle of the board. Read par. 23 "For us on . . . Savior and Redeemer." Ask the class members to consider what would characterize too much trust placed in "the politician, the musician, the athlete, or the vlogger" or anyone. Invite them to share their ideas.  As they do, list them on one side of the board. Invite the class members to look over the list they have created and consider how they can either safeguard against these things or walk back from perilous positions. Allow a moment to think and then discuss. Point out that if this is too much attention placed on people, in what ways could we do the same t
Read more

Elder David A. Bednar (Apr. '23): "Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore, Walk with Me"

-
 I have mentioned in other places in this blog that I am a newly called Elders Quorum president.  As such, this talk really struck home.  I feel woefully inadequate in fulfilling my calling.  This talk gave me comfort and confidence in moving forward.   The Activity: Explain Enoch's reaction to his calling and share your own experience with receiving a calling that overwhelmed you at first and/or invite some class members to share their experiences like this. Invite the class members to read paragraph 5 ("And the Lord . . . give thee utterance'") silently and ask them to identify 1) what God asks of Enoch and 2) what God promises Enoch.   Allow class members a moment to read the passage. Come back and discuss as a class what they found. Ask them to think about how these same commands and promises could apply to various callings (including those they currently have and/or those talked about at the beginning). Invite the class members to share experiences/testimonies
Read more