Pres. M. Russell Ballard (Oct. '21): "Lovest Thou Me More Than These"

-

 What a powerful talk.  As I read and studied it, I was pushed to consider for myself how I would answer the Lord's question, and what my daily actions would say about that answer as well.  This activity is designed to help us consider this question in very practical ways.

The Activity:

  1. Pass out paper and something to write with to every class member.
  2. Ask the class members to make 2 lists on their papers (one at a time):
    1. List the activities they did yesterday and approximately how long they spent doing each one.
    2. List the moments they felt happiest in the last week.
  3. After a few minutes, read par. 6-9 "Do you wonder . . . more than these?'"
  4. Discuss this quote with the class
  5. After the discussion (a few moments), ask the class members to return to their lists and review them in light of Pres. Ballard's quote.
  6. Ask them to consider how what is on our lists would (not) be evidence of our love of Christ?

Using the Activity:

I envision this activity as one that I would use at or near the beginning of the lesson to set the stage for what would come during the rest of the time.  However, it could work just as well as at the end (or middle) of the lesson.  The value in this is in the highly practical nature of the activity.  It is designed to help us see how well we are applying the counsel and commandments we have, while at the same time helping us to recognize how we might do better.  It is important in an activity such as this to keep it relatively private.  While I doubt that anyone would write anything truly embarrassing or incriminating in any way on their lists, some might be a bit taken aback and embarrassed by what is on their lists and what it reveals about them.  

I pray that this activity is useful to you.  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