Elder Gary E. Stevenson (Apr. '22): "Love, Share, Invite"

-

 The sentiments in this talk strike close to home for me.  Years ago, we lived in a small rural Missouri town and our branch experienced tremendous growth-- because this is exactly what we did.  We never articulated them exactly this way of course.  I do not believe that our small branch stumbled on something unique or new.  We simply shared the gospel the Christ would-- we loved people, shared the fruits of gospel living, and invited lots of people to do lots of things.  The activity that follows is focused on helping us all see how we can naturally do each of these things.

The Activity:

  1. Discuss the doctrines and principles found in this talk.
  2. Divide the class members into small groups of 3-5 people each.
  3. Invite the class members to imagine common situations they might find themselves in and to role play how they might do each of these things (love, share, & invite) in different situations.  Stress that there is no need to do all three in any one situation.  So, for example, it might be enough to share a memorable gospel-centered experience with a friend without inviting them to do something.  You may want to provide some sample situations to jump start the activity such as the following:
    1. It is a Monday at work and people are talking about their weekends.
    2. You are talking with your neighbor and the topic of summer plans comes up.
    3. Your friend is going through a rough time due to a personal hardship.
    4. Your friend tells you about a conversation she had with someone else in which they said negative things about the church.
  4. After a few minutes, come back together as a whole class and discuss the process.  
    1. What was helpful to you?
    2. What made it difficult?
    3. What made it easier?

Using the Activity:

Oftentimes, we think of sharing the gospel as something that will offend others or will draw us into deep doctrinal discussions that we aren't prepared for.  Yet, the process outlined in this talk is a natural way of interacting with others.  So, this activity was simply designed to help us all see/remember/discover that this type of "missionary work" is natural and creates closer connections with those around us. 

Also, since this activity is focused on applying the gospel principles in our lives, it does open up our hearts to the influence of the Spirit.  This will make it easier for us to make changes in our lives.  

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope that it is helpful.  

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