Bishop W. Christopher Waddell (Oct. '23): "More Than a Hero"

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 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:

  1. Draw a line down the middle of the board.
  2. Read par. 23 "For us on . . . Savior and Redeemer."
  3. 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.
  4. Invite them to share their ideas.  As they do, list them on one side of the board.
  5. 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.
  6. Allow a moment to think and then discuss.
  7. Point out that if this is too much attention placed on people, in what ways could we do the same things for Christ, i.e. what actions can we take to place or demonstrate our trust in Him.
  8. As the class members share write these items on the other side of the board.
  9. After some discussion, challenge the class members to identify one simple thing they can do to place/show more trust in Christ and to do it this upcoming week.

Using the Activity:

There are two distinct but interrelated purposes of this activity.  Some people will need to see the things in the first list and consider their ways (actually part of all of us is in this group), while others will be better served by focusing on improving their relationship with Christ.  Either case is fine and one is not better than another.  By asking the class members to choose one small thing we are also helping them apply the doctrine of this talk in a way that will hopefully be permeant and meaningful.   

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Please let me know how these ideas work for you.  

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