Elder Patricio M. Giuffra (Oct. '21): "A Faithful Search Rewarded"

-

 Conversion stories such as the one shared here by Elder Giuffra are always inspirational and I think instructional to us on many levels.  The activity I have designed here looks at this story as an example of faith when it is acted on.

The Activity:

  1. On the board, list the following names:
    1. Elder Giuffra
    2. Elder Giuffra's mom
    3. Sis. Leonor Lopez
    4. The missionaries
  2. Read, watch, or listen to the story of Elder Giuffra's conversion.  Since this is really most of the talk, I would narrow down the part that you share.  For example, perhaps limit the reading to par. 3-14 "Much like another . . . Son. Hear Him."
  3. Explain that this is a story of faith in action.
  4. Discuss with the class members how each of the people listed on the board exercised faith during this story (perhaps more than one way).  As ideas are mentioned, write them on the board.
  5. After this discussion, as the class members to consider one person from the story whose faith they could emulate in their own lives.
  6. Ask them to record somewhere (phone, paper, etc.) what they could do to exercise greater faith as this person did.

Using the Activity:

I love to learn from people.  Biographies are a favorite read of mine.  So, this activity is right up my personal alley.  Hopefully, it works well for you  in your teaching as well.

This lesson is valuable because it focuses on each individual class member individualizing this story to their own lives.  Thinking about this and recording their own insights is an act of faith in and of itself.  Doing so, then, will lead to increased opportunities to feel the Spirit.

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