Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella (Oct. 17): "Essential Truths-- Our Need to Act"

-

The Activity:

Prior to class

1.     Prepare a handout for each student.  The handout should be a piece of paper divided into thirds.

2.     Label the sections of the paper as follows:

a.      God calls Prophets to lead and guide us

b.     The knowledge of the true nature of God

c.      Jesus Christ is our Savior

During class

1.     Pass out the handouts

2.     Ask the class members to write in each section of the paper, specific blessings we receive because we know each of those things that are in the headings.

3.     Ask the class members, after a few moments, to write a couple of sentences that explain why knowing each of those things is important.

4.     Have class members stand and move about the room.

5.     Class members are to find someone not sitting by them to share one thing from any one of the sections they have written on their papers with a partner.  They are also to listen to their partner’s item and discuss what was shared.

6.     Class members talk for a moment and then move on to another partner.

7.     Take enough time for every class member to speak with three or four others.

8.     Have everyone return to their seats and discuss what was shared.



Using the Activity:

In some situations, this amount of movement would not be wise for any number of reasons.  If you cannot move about this much, you could easily do the same thing by asking the class members to share in small groups with those sitting around them.  I prefer to get up and move about at least sometimes because it is a way to encourage class members to interact with people they may not otherwise talk with much.

By having them share and talk with three or four people, we are encouraging a greater familiarity among our class/quorum/group members.  Also, we are increasing the amount of different perspectives that we get to hear.  There is so much that we can learn from each other, but sometimes we need a little push to learn it.  This activity will hopefully provide that little push in a friendly way.
I hope this activity is beneficial.  God bless.    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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 Dale G. Renlund (Oct. '23): "Jesus Christ is the Treasure"

-
 What a great talk reminding us of the simplicity of the gospel-- Jesus  Christ.  The treasure is always Jesus Christ.  Remembering that is not easy in our modern world, though.  To help us remember, the Lord has given us many things.  Elder Renlund in this talk reviews four of these and this is what the activity below focuses on. The Activity: Make sure that every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Explain that in this talk, Elder Renlund reviews four actions we can do to avoid looking beyond the mark. Divide the class into four groups. Assign each group one action along with the corresponding part of the talk.  These are: Repentance-- par. 10-11 "The Savior has . . . of our sins." The sacrament-- par. 12-13 "Just like the . . . prospered, and preserved." Temple Worship-- par. 14-15 "When we have . . . it is distant." Listening to the Prophet-- par. 16-17  "After Carter and . . . look no further." Have
Read more

Pres. Russell M. Nelson (Apr. '24): "Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys"

-
 This is a relatively short talk, but it is full of both invitations and promises from our prophet.  The blessings enumerated and promised are especially inspiring (par. 25-31).  However, for this activity I chose to focus on the invitations that Pres. Nelson extends to us as members. The Activity: Insure that every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Insure that every class member has something to write with and on (a device would work fine). Write on the board (or post printed statements) of the 3 (or 5 depending on how you choose to break up the last one) invitations that Pres. Nelson gives us. Par. 8-9 "Jesus Christ then . . . for you personally." Par. 16 "Consider how your . . . to the earth." Par. 19-22 "I invite you . . . home to Him."  (the three statements here could be listed separately). Ask the class members to read these statements and spend a moment silently considering one of the invitations. (Option
Read more