Learning through the Savior's example

Who are you?

I am a wife, a mother, a teacher, a photographer,  a writer, a reader, a listener, a daughter of God.

Who is Jesus Christ?
As a youth I was asked this question multiple times.  Being the only member in my high school, all of my friends wanted to know who Jesus Christ was to me.  Many of my friends didn't even think I believed in Jesus Christ, much less had a relationship with Him.


Give the following scriptures to the youth and have them identify specific descriptions of who Jesus Christ is.


John 3:16 - Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God


3 Nephi 9:15 - Christ is the Creator
Under the direction of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created the earth and all things that are in it.


Luke 22:44 - Jesus Christ Atoned for all Mankind
Jesus Christ suffered for all our sins, transgressions, pains, sorrows, and deficiencies.  His suffering was incomprehensible for us, but the pain and anguish He suffered was a sign of His love for us.  He has allowed us the opportunity to return to Him and our Father in Heaven once more.


John 19:17-18 - Christ was Crucified
Jesus was betrayed by Judas and brought before Pilate, who sentenced his death by crucifixion.  Roman soldiers carried out His order and crucified Him on the cross by hammering nails into his palms, wrists and feet.


1 Nephi 13:40 - Jesus Christ is our Savior
Christ saved us from both our spiritual and physical deaths. Nothing we can do will save us from sin, only through Jesus Christ can we be clean. He only asks that we accept Him and receive His gift by exercising faith in Him, repenting, and obeying His commandments.


3 Nephi 12:48 - Christ is the perfect Example
By living His life free of sin, Jesus Christ has shown each of us how we must strive to live.  None of us are perfect, however we can become perfect through Jesus Christ.  He showed us how to love one another, how to pray, and how to be humble.

"Walking where Jesus walked is less important than walking AS Jesus walked." - President Thomas S. Monson, October 2014 General Conference

Challenge - Getting to Know the Savior
For the next 12 weeks, starting today October 19th, read the scripture listed as part of your daily scripture study.  Read that same scripture every day for one week, and switch to a new scripture each Sunday. (See schedule below.) Ponder what it means to you personally.  Take a moment, sometime during each week to write down your feeling about each scripture in your journal.  Answer at least one question provided below.  By studying the same scripture every day for a week, you will more deeply understand the Savior and His relationship with you.


12 Week Scripture Reading Schedule
October 19 - Helaman 5:12
October 26 - St. John 14:23-27
November 2 - Nephi 13:14-21
November 9 - Alma 5:14-16
November 16 - Proverbs 31:30-31
November 23 - D&C 8:2-3, 9:7-9
November 30 - Moroni 10:18-23
December 7 - Matthew 7:7-8
December 14 - D&C 88:118-119
December 21 - Revelations 7:15-17


Questions to help you ponder your relationship with the Savior:
- How do I show love for the Savior?
- Do I keep ALL of His commandments?
- Have I put any other "Gods" before Christ?
- How can I seek the guidance of Christ more in my life?
- How/Who does the Lord want me to serve?
- Is the Lord first in my life?
- What am I going to do to help build the kingdom of God on the Earth?
- Where does true happiness come from? Do I have it now?
- How can the Savior help me improve my thoughts and attitude.
- How can I be a better example to others?
- From whom do I get my strength?
- How does the Lord speak to me? Am I listening?
- Am I too busy with worldly matters and neglect what's important?
- How can I invite the Savior into my home?
- Am I seeking Christ's help in all things?
- Do I pray with integrity and sincerity?
- Do I feel spiritually nourished? If not, how can I change that?
- Do I have a testimony of Christ?
It is my prayer that this year around Christmastime, you will be able to better appreciate the true meaning of the holiday as you walk closer with Christ.

LESSON: How can I make the Sacrament more meaningful to me?

Attention Activity - taken from Kar's Kith and Kin

I'm going to pass out these sentences for the youth to decipher.  All of the words are in the correct order, but the spacing is wrong.  They have to write the correct sentences below and figure out what our topic for the week is.  Here is what they should say:

All of us sin, and this ordinance gives us a chance to renew our baptismal covenants.
If we keep the promises we make, God will promise us His Spirit.
We should be thinking of Jesus and of His wonderful atonement.
During this time, we can evaluate our lives and promise to do better.

What ordinance are we talking about? (Sacrament)


Note cards
Pass out an index card to each of the youth and have them write down what they were thinking about during the Sacrament (to the best of their ability).  We won't share, it is for you to recognize only!

Read the account where Christ instituted the Sacrament to the Nephites (3 Nephi 18:1-13).

Give them a second index card to hold on to.  Tell them we are going to discuss a talk given by Elder Don R. Clarke and come up with five things we can do to make partaking of the sacrament more meaningful.

Five Principles
Using Elder Don R. Clarke's talk "Blessings of the Sacrament," from October 2012 General Conference as a guideline, discuss the five principles that make partaking of the sacrament more meaningful.

1. Have a feeling of gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ
Why is this important?  How can we identify and show our gratitude for the atonement?

2. Remember that we are renewing our Baptismal Covenants
What are the promises we made when we were baptized?  TAKE the Sacrament
Take His name upon me
Always remember Him
Keep His commandments
Endure to the end

3. During the Sacrament we can feel forgiven of our sins
President Boyd K. Packer said, "The sacrament renews the process of forgiveness.  Every Sunday when the sacrament is served, that is a ceremony to renew the process of forgiveness...Every Sunday you cleanse yourself so that, in due time, when you die your spirit will be clean."

4. We can receive inspiration for solutions to our problems
President Henry B. Eyring has taught that there are three important ways to prepare to benefit from sacrament meeting.  We should come with our problems, humble as children ready to learn.  We can then be blessed to feel impressions for solutions to our daily problems.  We must come prepared, be willing to listen, and not be distracted.

5. Partaking of the Sacrament worthily will help us be filled with the Holy Ghost
Upon instituting the Sacrament, Jesus Christ promised that those who hungered or thirsted after righteousness would be filled with the Holy Ghost.  The sacramental prayer also promises us that if we live up to our covenants, we will always have His Spirit to be with us.


Testimony
When I was in Young Women's one of my leaders shared a little story about what she does during the Sacrament and I've carried it with me since then.  As we are singing the Sacrament hymn, I try to focus my attention of Christ and like to watch the priests prepare the bread and water.  I've memorized the Sacramental prayers and like to repeat them in my head as the bread and water are being blessed.  It helps me to really focus on what is being said and the symbolism and importance behind this ordinance.

Once the bread has been blessed, I try to think about what I've done this past week.  What choices I've made, whether good or bad.  I try to identify a weakness that I would like to improve for the following week.

During the water prayer, I again like to repeat it in my mind to help me focus on the sacred nature of this ordinance.  Then, before I drink the water (we usually sit somewhere in the middle to back so I always have plenty of time for this) I like to say a quick prayer and ask for forgiveness for whatever I identified during the blessing of the bread as being a weakness.  I then ask Heavenly Father for help in improving the following week and making myself conscious of the choices I am making and building my faith and strength in Him this week.  It's a fresh start to renew the covenants I have made and by doing so I am able to reflect on my choices and keep up with what I need to work on better.

During Fast and Testimony Meeting, the aforementioned leader would keep her water cup with her throughout the week to remind her of whatever she had fasted for and help in making decisions and listening for the answer and guidance.  This isn't something I've done a regular basis, but I do think it's a good idea for me to start again!

LESSON: How do women and priesthood holders work together to build up the kingdom of God?

There is strength and great capacity in the women of this Church. There is leadership and direction, a certain spirit of independence, and yet great satisfaction in being a part of this, the Lord’s kingdom, and of working hand in hand with the priesthood to move it forward.Gordon B. Hinckley

Object Lesson - taken from a post on Sugardoodle.net ( I LOVE this site)Pass out the following two quotes and have the youth read them aloud.

"Sisters, some will try to persuade you that because you are not ordained to the priesthood, you have been shortchanged.  They are simply wrong, and they do not understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The blessings of the priesthood are available to every righteous man and woman.  We may all receive the Holy Ghost, obtain personal revelation, and be endowed in the temple, from which we emerge 'armed' with power.  The power of the priesthood heals, protects and inoculates all of the righteous against the powers of darkness.  Most significantly, the fullness of the priesthood contained contained in the highest ordinances of the house of the Lord can be received only by a man and woman together." - Sheri L. Dew

 "While we sometimes refer to priesthood holders as 'the priesthood', we must never forget that the priesthood is not owned by or embodied in those who hold it.  It is held in a sacred trust to be used for the benefit of men, women, and children alike." - Dallin H. Oaks 

Display a cup of water.  Ask the class how these two quotes can relate to a cup of water.
- The water represents the priesthood and the cup is the holder of the priesthood.  Anyone can drink from it.  The holder's job is to share it and the water benefits all, equally.  If anyone is thirsty, in need of a blessing or saving ordinance, they can drink at any time.  The most important thing about the priesthood (water) are the blessings that come from it, not who holds it.

*Remember, men can't bless themselves, they have to ask for blessings too

Interviews
I wanted the youth to have an active part of this lesson to try and understand personally how the priesthood holders and women in the church are able to work together.  I asked them to each interview one (active) priesthood holder and sister within the church and get their personal stories/testimonies and perspectives on how they have worked closely to fulfill their callings.  I then asked the youth to share what they learned.

Priesthood Ordinances vs. Priesthood Responsibilities

Priesthood ordinances are sacred acts given by God performed through the authority of the Priesthood. The ordinance should be: 

1. Performed in the name of Jesus Christ

2. Performed by the authority of the priesthood

3. Performed with any necessary procedures, such as using specified words or using consecrated oils

4. Authorized by the designated priesthood leader who holds the proper keys, if necessary

Examples:

Naming and blessing children, performing baptisms and confirmations, conferring the priesthood and ordaining to a priesthood office, blessing and passing the sacrament, administering to the sick, father's blessings and other blessings of comfort and counsel, temple ordinances and dedicating graves.

Priesthood responsibilities - define in class with the youth

Shared Responsibilities:

Building up the Kingdom of God - preaching gospel/missionary work

Welfare of Saints (Relief Society, Elder's Quorum)

Ward Council

Families - Family Home Evening, daily scripture study and family prayer

Temple Work

Home Teaching/Visiting Teaching

Callings - accepting and “Magnify your calling”

Conclusion

As youth, how can YOU work together as priesthood holders and young women to help in the building of the Kingdom of God?

Post-it Notes: Write one statement you learned about working together as priesthood holders and sisters and one question you still have. 
(These statements and questions will help guide the following week's lesson.)

Lesson: How Can I Improve My Scripture Study?

Journal:

1. What have you been studying lately?

2. What is your daily plan for scripture study? Do you look up things by topic?  Do you read one chapter after another?  Do you keep a scripture journal?  How many pages/verses/chapters do you like to read per day?
3. How do you feel that you could improve your scripture study?

Scriptural Immersion Quote

Write on the board before class, "Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment." - Quentin L. Cook

What does it mean to immerse yourself in the scriptures?  What is the difference between that and just reading to meet a daily/weekly/yearly goal?

Matching Activity

I borrowed this idea from a post on Sugardoodle.  Kristy created a variation of Jeopardy with scripture references and questions that help us to understand the importance of personal scripture study.  I printed out the board on cardstock so I can use it again next year.  I also printed off an extra copy of the scriptures so that I can keep up with which column they go in.  To get her wonderful handout, visit the Sugardoodle.net page here.

Study Aids Activity (taken from Kar's Kith and Kin - I love this woman!)

Next week is Fast and Testimony meeting, so I thought it would be a great time to discuss what a testimony is and how we share it.  Before discussing the following, I will have the youth come up with what a testimony is and write it on the board.  Then I will tell them that we are going to study the scriptures about what is tells us a testimony is and how to share ours.  Each youth (I only have 3 so someone will need to double up) will take one of the following and start studying "testimony".  Once they've learned a little more, we will then revisit what was put on the board and add to it.  I am also going to challenge them to bear their testimonies next week during Sacrament meeting. 

Bible Dictionary: To appreciate the enrichment that the Bible Dictionary provides, look up the word grace (page 697). Study the definition carefully. Then read the scripture references provided. These verses of scripture have greater significance when you ponder the definition of grace. Pick your favorite of these scriptures and be prepared to share it with the class.

Footnotes: The most common type of footnote is a cross-reference to other scripture passages in the standard works. These additional passages often clarify or add insight to the passage you are reading. For example, look up Doctrine and Covenants 11:21. Read the verse, and then read the passages listed in footnote b. How do these passages increase your understanding of the verse? Write your answer here and be prepared to share it.

Topical Guide: Turn to the Topical Guide in your scriptures and look up the word abide.Note that the names of books of scripture appear in bold. Scripture passages from each book follow. Each scripture passage in the list contains the word abide, shown by the abbreviation a. Pick your favorite scripture and be prepared to share it with the class.

Chapter Headings: The major principles in the Word of Wisdom are described in the heading for Doctrine and Covenants 89. Read these principles in the heading and then highlight them in the scripture text. Be prepared to tell us which parts of which verses you highlighted.


Week of Studying

A few months back I challenged my class to read the entire Book of Mormon from cover to cover by the end of the year.  With that, once they had completed the Book of Mormon, I wanted them to sincerely ask in faith if what they read was true.  I accepted the challenge as well and told them I would be reading the same scriptures alongside them.  Collectively, we haven't been too good at keeping up with the challenge.  That's why I'm excited for this week's lesson!

I was on www.rockpaperscriptures.com and I saw a great printable for a week's worth of studying by topic.  It includes ideas for 7 days of studying starting with coming up with questions about the topic and ending with your testimony at the end of the week.  Next month we will be talking about the Priesthood, what better topic to renew our dedication to scripture study as a class?!

Here is a snapshot of what will be asked for each day.  The full printable can be reached at the original website here. 

We are going to start off slow, one week at a time.  If we can all study the priesthood every day for this next week, I will bring in a special treat for my class.  Then we will continue to read week by week until we can dedicate ourselves to completing the Book of Mormon challenge.

Learning from the Prophets...and the Scriptures

The theme for May is Prophets and Apostles. Last week was the Ft. Lauderdale Temple dedication so we didn't have normal services. That leaves only 3 more weeks left in May to cover some great outlines this month. There were too many that I wanted to talk about and not enough Sundays so I combined two this week.

What Can I Learn from Living Prophets and Revelation? and How Does Reverence Help Me Receive Revelation?

Intro:

Write on the board. Reverence is ___________________________.  Have the youth come up one by one and write down their definition.

Read from True to the Faith:

“Reverence is profound respect and love. When you have a reverent attitude toward God, you honor Him, express your gratitude to Him, and obey His commandments.

You should be reverent in your behavior as well as your attitude. Reverent behavior includes prayer, scripture study, fasting, and payment of tithes and offerings. It includes wearing modest clothing and using clean, wholesome language. The depth of your reverence is evident in your choice of music and other entertainment, in the way you speak of sacred subjects, and in the way you dress and act when you attend church and the temple. You show your reverence for the Lord when you serve other people and treat them with kindness and respect.”

Pause after each paragraph to make sure that all definitions are included on the board.

Discuss the importance of having Reverence and what each definition means. Tell the youth to ponder these definitions as we come up with a few challenges in our lives.

Challenges:
Have the youth come up with a list of things that they are challenged with today.  Each one is to take at least one challenge and search the general conference talks to see what advice the prophets and apostles have to give.  Have the youth prepare a 10-minute mini lesson to present next week on the topic.

Explain to the youth that you want them to prepare for and teach a topic next week and receiving personal revelation is part of that.  When preparing for a lesson or a talk, you pray about the subject.  Ponder what you know, what questions you have, what you hope to be able to teach, etc. for a couple of days.  Read the lesson or information first and just let it sit with you.  Then come back a couple days later and really begin to outline what you want to discuss.  While preparing for your mini-lesson, keep these thoughts and ideas with you.  Remember the many definitions of reverence that we learned about today and apply them to your daily lives.  Think about how the reverence you carry with you throughout this week helps you receive the revelation for your lesson.  Be prepared to share any experiences with the class next week after your lesson.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend church next Sunday, I'll be out of town for some training. However, I pray that each of the youth sincerely search and ponder about some of the challenges we came up with. I hope that they are able to seek personal revelation as they read the advice from the prophets and are able to find ways to apply it to their lives. I wish that each of them are able to band together and offer support to one another as we strive to overcome daily challenges and live our lives in accordance to the gospel.

Liken the events of the Apostasy to Our Lives

Okay, so this post is over a week old...I apologize. We went on our "Baby Moon" the weekend of Easter which is why I posted that lesson early. Then I taught this lesson the last weekend in April which was also Fast Sunday because of the Ft. Lauderdale Temple Dedication that happened this past Sunday. I wanted to go ahead and get this lesson on here so that I can refer to it next year...better late than never, right?! I also want to note that while I had an entire lesson planned, I didn't get around to everything. I was truly humbled to be able to teach by the Spirit. I have a testimony of this gospel, I know it's true. I'm an educator and can get in front of a class and teach, but for some reason have trouble getting in front of a congregation and bearing my testimony. That Sunday, I spent the entire lesson discussing the puzzles of our lives and bearing my testimony about each piece. I could feel the Spirit so strong and knew that I was really touching the youth in my class. I'm thankful for that experience and hope that I can continue to receive similar revelation as I continue being their teacher.

How can I liken the events of the Apostasy and the Restoration to my life?

We should “liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23). To liken the scriptures means to see how scriptural events and circumstances are like the events and circumstances in our lives. Even though the events of the Apostasy and the Restoration occurred long ago, we can find ways to learn from these events and relate them to us today.

Object Lesson Idea: adapted from https://www.theredheadedhostess.com/articles/how-to-explain-the-apostasy-and-restoration-to-others-by-anthony-sweat/

Puzzle (2 mins to put together - then discuss)

Application: How is this puzzle similar to what happened during the apostasy?  Each piece of the puzzle can represent one of the major areas of the true church: priesthood ordinances, revelation, commandments, prophets and apostles, and Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. What happened to each of these pieces during the great apostasy?  How did we receive them back?  Look at your puzzles, are any two the same? (Hopefully there will be different shapes or arrangements between the three of them.)  Why were so many different churches formed during the apostasy?  Did they have the fullness of the gospel?  What was needed in order for you to put together the puzzle correctly?  (Revelation)  What was needed for the gospel to be restored?  Why was it important to have the restoration?

On the board, write the headings “Great Apostasy” and “Personal Apostasy.” Help them liken the Great Apostasy to themselves by discussing how the things on their list could lead to personal apostasy. For instance, like the people who killed the apostles after the death of Christ, a person today who rejects or criticizes the living apostles is in danger of personal apostasy. What can the youth do to guard against personal apostasy?

The Great Apostasy	Personal Apostasy
The apostles were killed after the death of Christ.	Rejecting or criticizing the living apostles.
Men corrupted the principles of the gospel.	Misunderstanding the scriptures.
Unauthorized changes in Church organization.	Not supporting the leaders in your ward or stake.
Unauthorized changes in Priesthood ordinances.	Not living worthy of the priesthood, not showing proper respect toward the priesthood.
Widespread wickedness.	Disobeying the commandments.

Video: What the Restoration Means to Me (5 mins)

http://bcove.me/pjf4r0g5

Journal: How can you “liken” the events of the apostasy to your own life?

Post-it Statements: Write an “I know…” or “I question…” statement about today’s lesson.

Blessings in Disguise

I know without a shadow of a doubt that my Heavenly Father knows me and my specific needs.  I know that He loves me enough to answer my prayers and bless me in ways that I can't even begin to describe as anything else.

Without going into too much detail, I've had a few specific things on my mind and in my prayers lately.  I decided to take action and seek out for something, and in return I was given an answer to my prayers.

I love this gospel and all that it stands for.  I love knowing that I can communicate with my Father in Heaven on a daily and sometimes hourly basis.  I always try to have a prayer in my heart and earnestly seek for the answers that I'm looking for.  Whether they come by the still small voice, the scriptures, or the mail...I know He will answer them in His time.

#TestimonyTuesday