Elder D. Todd Christofferson (Oct. '19): "The Joy of the Saints"

-
The Activity:

  1. Designate three areas of the room as follows:
    1. Joy of keeping the commandments
    2. Joy of overcoming through Christ
    3. Joy of serving as Christ serves
  2. Point out these three divisions (mirroring the three parts of Elder Christofferson's talk) and ask the class members to choose one of the three and move to that part of the room.
  3. Ask these groups to review the section of the talk that applies to them and to answer the following questions (you may want to type them and give a copy to everyone or to each group):
    1. What thoughts of Elder Christofferson do you find especially powerful from this section?
    2. How does this particular source of joy help us become more Christ-like?  Why does being more Christ-like bring us joy?
    3. What experiences have you had with this source of joy?  What other stories or experiences have you heard about?
    4. How does Satan try to keep us from doing these things?  How can we combat these tactics?
  4. After the groups have had to time to discuss each question, come back together as a whole class and ask each group to share (some of) their answers and discuss them.
Using the Activity:

We have a tendency to feel like we have to cover every aspect of a talk when we teach a lesson on it, and often that is fine.  However, being able to dig deeper into a particular aspect of a message can be powerful.  This activity is designed to give class members the opportunity to think deeply about a single aspect of the talk.  Also, by allowing them to choose what they wish to discuss, it allows them to make choices that will most impact them spiritually.  

Of course, you could alter or delete any of the questions I have listed or add your own.  These are questions that are fairly general so they apply to each section.  However, you may feel impressed to create a unique question or two or three for each section that the class members will discuss.  That would be great.

As always, I hope that you find this idea useful.  Please let me know how it goes with this or any of the other ideas.  I enjoy hearing from you.  God bless.

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