Bro. Jan E. Newman (Oct. '23): "Preserving the Voice of the Covenant People in the Rising Generation"

-

 I find this talk both challenging and comforting.  As an almost empty-nester this talk pushed me to consider how I'm doing now as I transition in my role as a father and add the role of grandpa to the mix (I have two of the greatest little grandsons the world has ever seen :) ).  I think that is an important note when teaching this talk.  While the responsibility might take a slightly different form, the message of this talk extends beyond parents-- though they are the focus of the talk-- to include extended family members, ministers, sunday school teachers, etc.  In other words, every person can find themselves in this talk.

The Activity:

  1. Make sure that every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically.
  2. Explain that while this talk is focused primarily on the role of parents, the responsibility of helping the rising generation to develop faith in Christ is one that we all share.
  3. Around the room post 5 posters, labeled "Parents," "Church teachers," "Extended Family," "Ministers," and "Neighbors."  You can add to/delete from/ change this list as best serves your particular class.
  4. Provide post-it notes and something to write with to each class member.
  5. Ask the class members to consider the various roles posted around the room and how each one might apply the doctrines and principles outlined by Bro. Newman in his talk.
  6. Invite them to write their ideas-- on per post-it note-- on their post-its and then to attach them to the corresponding poster.
  7. Give the class members some time to write and post several things.
  8. Divide the class into five groups and give each group one of the posters with the attached post-it notes.
  9. Ask the groups to discuss the ideas found on their poster and to add any more they can think of.
  10. After a few minutes, come back together as a class and ask each group to share what they talked about.

Using the Activity:

Remember that you can personalize this to your class members' needs.  So, play with the number of posters and the headings on them.  There will be more on some posters than others, but we want to make sure that this activity opens the talk up to all of our class members and not simply those who are or will be parents in this life.  Also, note, this could be a longer activity than most I share.  So, feel free to alter it as well to better fit your pacing and timing needs.  

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Please leave a note letting me know how it goes.  

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