Elder Ulisses Soares (Oct. '21): "The Savior's Abiding Compassion"

-

 I loved this talk for many reasons.  The first scripture story Elder Soares shares is my favorite story from the New Testament.  I find layers of meaning in it.  Also, I have always been impressed by the sheer number of times that compassion is used as a descriptor for Christ.  

The Activity:

  1. Give everyone an index card and something to write with.  
  2. Ask the class member to explain what they think it means when we say that Christ was/is compassionate.  Make a list of the responses on the board.
  3. Read par. 6 ("The compassionate attitude . . . of our spirits").
  4. Discuss this quote and talk about how we are to become like Christ in this aspect.  
  5. Ask the class to silently consider those they know (family, friends, ministering families, co-workers, etc.) and to identify one or two people that need their compassion.
  6. Ask them to write those names down along with how they can show compassion to these people.
  7. Then, challenge the class members to go home and put that paper somewhere they can see it this week and follow up on what they wrote.
  8. Read par. 11 ("My dear friends . . . 'hands . . . hang down'") or par. 18 ("My dear friends . . . a spring morning") and discuss the blessings of being more compassionate.

Using the Activity:

This activity includes two strategies that are gospel based.  First, the opportunity to ponder (step #5) is an eternal principle of revelation.  Then, this activity provides class members the opportunity to "liken" the talk to themselves (see I Ne. 19:23).  

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I pray that this idea will be useful to you in your efforts to teach with power and authority.  

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