Elder D. Todd Christofferson (Oct. '21): "The Love of God"

-

 This talk-- combined with others-- was an answer to many prayers I offered prior to conference.  I am so grateful to be loved so much by Heavenly Parents that communicate with me as I do my part to hear Them.

The Activity:

  1. Make sure everyone has a copy of the talk either digitally or physically.
  2. Give everyone 3-5 minutes to look over the talk and pick out the most important line they can find.
  3. After class members have identified their chosen lines, have them form groups of three.
  4. Explain the following directions:
    1. One person will read the line they thought was the most important.
    2. The other two people will spend one minute discussing the line and what they think about it.
    3. Then, the person who read their line will have one minute to explain why they chose it.
    4. Repeat the process until everyone has shared.
  5. Complete the small group discussion
  6. Come back together and discuss some of the points brought up in the small groups.

Using the Activity:

Obviously, there is no single correct answer to the question of which line in a talk is most important.  However, the act of making such a choice pushes us to consider the possibilities in numerous and critical ways-- which lines connect to our past experiences/testimonies, which lines indicate a direction that we need to follow, which lines encapsulate a doctrine simply yet elegantly, etc.  Carefully considering the message of a talk in this way is akin to pondering, to some degree, and we know that pondering precedes revelation.  Also, giving the class so much time to review the talk is another good way to increase participation.  We all get busy and often don't get around to reading the appropriate lesson material-- not from any lack of desire or commitment, but simply from a lack of time and/or energy.  So, by building it into the lesson, we are helping people find ways to participate.  And as I have stated in other places, participation is key to us receiving revelation in classes.  

Beyond those considerations, clearly there are many ways to adapt this activity to the needs of your class or quorum, e.g. altering time, providing quotes for class members to choose from, changing group sizes, etc.

As always I hope that you found this activity to be useful.  God bless you.

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