In this post, we’re gonna deep dive into the engaging questions, object lesson ideas, and personal sharing prompts that can be found throughout the October 2024 General Conference Talk, “I Am He” by President Jeffrey R. Holland.
In order to more easily digest all the information we could take from this talk, we’ll be separating it by sections, focusing on one point from the talk at a time.
Consider this scene from the last week of Jesus’s mortal life. A multitude had gathered, including Roman soldiers armed with staves and strapped with swords. Led by officers from the chief priests who had torches in hand, this earnest company was not off to conquer a city. Tonight they were looking for only one man, a man not known to carry a weapon, receive military training, or engage in physical combat at any time in His entire life.
As the soldiers approached, Jesus, in an effort to protect His disciples, stepped forth and said, “Whom seek ye?” They replied, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said, “I am he. … As soon … as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.”
To me, that is one of the most stirring lines in all of scripture. Among other things, it tells me straightforwardly that just being in the presence of the Son of God—the great Jehovah of the Old Testament and Good Shepherd of the New, who bears no weapons of any kind—that just hearing the voice of this Refuge from the Storm, this Prince of Peace, is enough to send antagonists stumbling into retreat, piling them in a jumble, making the whole group wish they had been assigned kitchen duty that night.
Engaging Questions:
- How does the power of Jesus’s presence in this scene—causing soldiers to retreat—demonstrate His divine authority and majesty? What does this teach you about His role as the Son of God?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus, unarmed and peaceful, still held such commanding power over those who sought to harm Him?
- How do you think the soldiers felt as they encountered Jesus and fell to the ground? How might this moment have changed their perception of Him?
- Jesus stepped forward to protect His disciples, even in the face of danger. How has He protected or guided you during difficult times in your life?
- What does this account teach us about the power of Jesus’s words and voice in our own lives? How can we better listen for and trust His voice?
- President Holland described Jesus as a “Refuge from the Storm” and the “Prince of Peace.” How have you experienced Him in these roles in your personal life?
- Why do you think this particular moment in the Savior’s life is so stirring and significant? How does it deepen your understanding of His mission?
- Jesus’s calm, confident declaration of “I am he” demonstrates His willingness to face what lay ahead. How can this inspire you to face your own challenges with faith and courage?
- How does this scene reflect the Savior’s love and commitment to His disciples and, by extension, to each of us?
- What can we learn from Jesus’s example of stepping forward in service and protection, even when it requires great personal sacrifice?
- In what ways does this account strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ’s divine power and His role in God’s plan of salvation?
- How can remembering this moment help you trust in the Savior’s ability to overcome opposition in your life?
- What does this story teach about the contrast between the world’s reliance on physical power and the Savior’s reliance on spiritual strength?
- How does this scene remind us of the importance of standing firm in our faith, even when faced with opposition or adversity?
- In your own life, how can you step forward like Jesus did, to stand for truth and protect those you love, despite personal risk or sacrifice?
Object Lessons:
- “The Power of Presence”
- Materials: A small candle, a darkened room, and a flashlight.
- Activity: Light the candle in the darkened room, explaining that the light represents Christ’s presence. Then turn on the flashlight to symbolize His divine power. Discuss how Christ’s presence, like the light, dispels darkness and confusion without physical force.
- Lesson: The presence of Jesus Christ carries a power that transcends physical strength, bringing light and peace into any situation.
- “The Voice of Peace”
- Materials: A recording of calm, soothing music or nature sounds and a recording of loud, chaotic noise.
- Activity: Play the chaotic noise, then switch to the soothing sounds. Ask participants how they feel in each instance. Relate this to how Christ’s voice calmed the storm and sent the soldiers retreating, even in the face of chaos.
- Lesson: The voice of Jesus Christ has the power to bring peace and order, overcoming fear and hostility.
- “The Unseen Shield”
- Materials: A clear plastic sheet or glass pane and a spray bottle filled with water.
- Activity: Spray water toward the plastic sheet, showing how it acts as a barrier to keep the participants dry. Explain that Christ’s presence is like an unseen shield, offering protection without visible weapons.
- Lesson: Jesus Christ’s protection is spiritual and eternal, shielding us from the storms and dangers of the world.
- “The Retreating Dominoes”
- Materials: Dominoes arranged in a line.
- Activity: Knock over one domino to create a chain reaction of retreating dominoes. Explain that this represents how the soldiers fell back at the power of Christ’s declaration, “I am He.”
- Lesson: The power of Jesus Christ’s identity and divine authority is enough to cause even His adversaries to retreat.
- “The Prince of Peace Crown”
- Materials: A simple paper crown and decorative materials.
- Activity: Create a crown labeled “Prince of Peace” and discuss the paradox of Christ’s power being rooted in peace, not conflict. Invite participants to consider how they can emulate Christ’s peaceful influence in their lives.
- Lesson: Jesus Christ wields His divine power to bring peace, not violence, reminding us that true strength is found in gentleness and love.
Activities
- “The Power of His Name”
- Materials: A list of scriptures where Christ’s name is invoked (e.g., John 14:13–14, Philippians 2:9–11).
- Activity: Assign participants to read and discuss these scriptures, focusing on the power associated with Jesus’s name. Then, invite them to share personal experiences of feeling His power through prayer or testimony.
- Lesson: The name of Jesus Christ carries divine authority and power, bringing peace and strength to those who call upon Him.
- “The Calm Amid Chaos”
- Materials: A noisy environment (e.g., a video or audio recording of a storm or busy street sounds) and a quiet activity (e.g., reading a scripture about Christ calming the storm).
- Activity: Play the noisy recording and then switch to silence as someone reads the scripture (Mark 4:39). Discuss how Christ’s presence can bring calm to the storms in our lives.
- Lesson: Christ’s power brings peace and calm, even in the midst of turmoil, just as it did for the disciples and the soldiers.
- “Whom Seek Ye?” Role Play
- Materials: None.
- Activity: Have participants act out the scene where Jesus asks, “Whom seek ye?” Discuss the soldiers’ reaction to His declaration, “I am He.” Invite participants to reflect on how they might respond if Jesus asked them the same question.
- Lesson: Recognizing and seeking Jesus Christ in our lives leads to spiritual power and transformation.
- “The Swordless Victory”
- Materials: A simple object, like a walking stick or a small staff, to represent peace.
- Activity: Discuss how Jesus Christ did not rely on weapons to assert His authority or achieve His mission. Invite participants to write or draw ways they can overcome challenges through peaceful means.
- Lesson: Christ’s power is demonstrated through love and peace, not force, showing us a higher way to handle conflict.
- “The Torch of Truth”
- Materials: A torch or flashlight and pieces of paper with “fears” or “challenges” written on them.
- Activity: Dim the lights and have participants hold the papers. Turn on the torch, symbolizing Christ, and “illuminate” their fears or challenges. Discuss how His light dispels fear and brings clarity.
- Lesson: Jesus Christ’s presence dispels fear and gives us the courage to face challenges with faith.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you felt the presence of the Savior bring peace and strength in a moment of fear or conflict. How did that experience change your understanding of His role as the Prince of Peace?
Think of a time when you faced opposition or adversity but felt supported by an unseen source of strength. How did you recognize the Savior’s hand in helping you stand firm?
Think of a time when you witnessed the power of calm words or actions in a tense or challenging situation. How did that moment remind you of Christ’s ability to lead with love and authority?
Think of a time when hearing or reading the Savior’s words gave you clarity and courage in a difficult situation. How did those words shape your choices and strengthen your faith?
Think of a time when you felt protected, either spiritually or physically, in a way that you knew was beyond your own power. How did that moment deepen your trust in Jesus Christ?
Think of a time when you felt the Savior’s love for you or others in a way that changed your perspective on a challenging relationship or situation. How did that love inspire you to respond differently?
Think of a time when you were able to step forward and face a difficult situation with courage because of your trust in the Savior. What role did your faith play in helping you take that step?
Think of a time when you felt the Savior’s influence bring calm and order to a chaotic moment in your life. How did His presence guide you through that experience?
Think of a time when you witnessed someone respond to adversity with Christlike grace and strength. What did you learn about the Savior’s power and influence from their example?
Think of a time when you reflected on the Savior’s words or actions in scripture and felt inspired to emulate Him in your own life. How did trying to follow His example impact your actions and the outcome of the situation?
Just a few days earlier, when He had entered the city triumphantly, “all the city was moved,” the scripture says, asking, “Who is this?” I can only imagine that “Who is this?” is the question those muddled soldiers were now asking!
The answer to that question could not have been in His looks, for Isaiah had prophesied some seven centuries earlier that “he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” It certainly wasn’t in His polished wardrobe or His great personal wealth, of which He had neither. It could not be from any professional training in the local synagogues because we have no evidence that He ever studied at any of them, though even in His youth He could confound superbly prepared scribes and lawyers, astonishing them with His doctrine “as one having authority.”
From that teaching in the temple to His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and this final, unjustifiable arrest, Jesus was routinely placed in difficult, often devious situations in which He was always triumphant—victories for which we have no explanation except divine DNA.
Yet down through history many have simplified, even trivialized our image of Him and His witness of who He was. They have reduced His righteousness to mere prudishness, His justice to mere anger, His mercy to mere permissiveness. We must not be guilty of such simplistic versions of Him that conveniently ignore teachings we find uncomfortable. This “dumbing down” has been true even regarding His ultimate defining virtue, His love.
Engaging Questions:
- When the people in Jerusalem and the soldiers asked, “Who is this?” how do you think their perceptions of Jesus influenced their understanding of Him? How do you answer that question for yourself today?
- Isaiah described the Savior as having “no form nor comeliness.” How does this challenge worldly notions of what makes someone influential or worthy of admiration?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus confounded scholars and taught “as one having authority” despite not having formal education or status?
- How does the Savior’s divine identity and actions in difficult situations inspire you to handle challenges in your own life?
- President Holland warns against reducing or oversimplifying our understanding of Jesus. How can you ensure your understanding of the Savior is both accurate and complete?
- In what ways have you seen society “dumb down” the Savior’s characteristics or teachings? How can we counteract these misconceptions in our personal study and testimony?
- What do you think it means to fully embrace the Savior’s defining virtues, even those that might challenge us or make us uncomfortable?
- How does understanding Jesus’s divine attributes, such as justice, mercy, and love, help you better follow Him in your daily life?
- Why is it significant that Jesus’s ultimate defining virtue is His love? How can this influence the way you strive to love others?
- How do you reconcile the Savior’s teachings that may seem hard or demanding with His immense love and mercy?
- What lessons can you draw from the Savior’s humility and focus on His divine mission, despite the lack of worldly recognition or admiration?
- How has your understanding of the Savior evolved as you’ve studied His teachings and actions more deeply?
- What role does the Savior’s triumph in unjust and devious situations play in your testimony of His divine mission?
- How can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus Christ by focusing on the full scope of His teachings and virtues?
- What can you do to help others come to know the Savior as more than a simplified or superficial figure?
Object Lessons:
- “The Unassuming Gift”
- Materials: A plain, unwrapped box with a precious or meaningful item inside.
- Activity: Show participants the plain box and ask them what they think is inside. Then open it to reveal something valuable, explaining that like the Savior, His appearance or outward circumstances did not define His divine nature. His true value came from who He was and what He came to do.
- Lesson: The Savior’s identity and mission were not rooted in outward appearance or material wealth but in His divine role as the Son of God and Redeemer.
- “The Unpolished Diamond”
- Materials: A rough piece of stone and a polished gem (or images of both).
- Activity: Display the rough stone and explain that it might not look valuable at first glance. Compare it to the polished gem, emphasizing that the Savior’s greatness was not in outward appearances but in His eternal qualities and divine mission.
- Lesson: Christ’s power and love transcend superficial judgments, and we must look deeper to understand His true nature.
- “The Light in the Darkness”
- Materials: A candle or flashlight and a dark room.
- Activity: Turn off the lights and light the candle or turn on the flashlight. Explain that Christ’s identity is like the light—it is undeniable and transformative, even in a world that sometimes tries to obscure or simplify His nature.
- Lesson: The Savior’s divine mission and light cannot be diminished by worldly perceptions or misunderstandings.
- “The Mirror of Truth”
- Materials: A mirror and a smudged piece of glass.
- Activity: Hold up the mirror and the smudged glass, asking participants which better reflects reality. Explain that understanding Christ clearly requires us to move past distorted or simplistic views and see Him as He truly is.
- Lesson: When we look beyond the superficial or inaccurate portrayals of Jesus Christ, we can see His full divinity and love.
- “The Master Key”
- Materials: A collection of random keys and one that opens a box or lock.
- Activity: Let participants try different keys to open the box, demonstrating that only one key works. Explain that Christ’s life and teachings are the “key” to understanding who He is and accessing the fullness of His gospel.
- Lesson: Jesus Christ is the unique and irreplaceable Savior of the world, and His divine identity cannot be replaced or simplified.
Activities
- “Who Is This?” Word Collage
- Materials: Large poster board or whiteboard, markers, and sticky notes.
- Activity: Write “Who is this?” in the center of the board. Have participants write down attributes of Christ (e.g., Redeemer, Teacher, Healer) on sticky notes and place them around the question. Discuss how these attributes together reveal His divine identity.
- Lesson: Christ’s identity is multifaceted and profound, and each of His attributes contributes to our understanding of who He is.
- “Scenes of His Divinity”
- Materials: Scriptures and role-playing props (optional).
- Activity: Divide participants into groups and assign each group a scripture that shows Christ’s divinity (e.g., calming the storm, healing the sick, forgiving sins). Have each group share or act out their scripture and explain what it reveals about who Jesus is.
- Lesson: By studying Christ’s actions and words, we gain a clearer understanding of His divine nature and love.
- “Simplified vs. True” Discussion
- Materials: Examples of simplified perceptions of Christ (e.g., “He was just a great teacher”).
- Activity: Discuss these simplified ideas and compare them to scriptural accounts of His divine mission. Use scriptures to show how His teachings, justice, and mercy are more profound than common misconceptions.
- Lesson: We must reject oversimplified views of Jesus Christ and seek to understand His full divine mission and attributes.
- “Divine DNA”
- Materials: A visual representation of a DNA strand (drawn or crafted).
- Activity: Discuss how Christ’s “divine DNA” made Him uniquely capable of fulfilling His mission as Savior. Have participants write down examples of His divine attributes (e.g., infinite love, justice, mercy) on the strands.
- Lesson: Jesus Christ’s identity as the Son of God endowed Him with the qualities necessary to be our Redeemer and Exemplar.
- “The Unchanging Savior”
- Materials: A timeline of Christ’s life and ministry.
- Activity: Create a timeline highlighting moments that reveal Christ’s consistent character and divinity, from His birth to His resurrection. Discuss how these moments answer the question, “Who is this?”
- Lesson: Jesus Christ’s divine nature is unchanging and consistent, offering a sure foundation for our faith.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you asked yourself, “Who is Jesus Christ to me?” How did seeking the answer to that question deepen your understanding of His role in your life?
Think of a time when you witnessed or experienced an act of love or mercy that reminded you of the Savior. How did that moment help you see His divine qualities more clearly?
Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by challenges and turned to the Savior for strength. How did His example of triumph in difficult circumstances inspire you to move forward?
Think of a time when you were in a situation where others misunderstood or simplified your faith in Jesus Christ. How did you stay true to your testimony and help others better understand His teachings?
Think of a time when you gained a deeper appreciation for the Savior’s love and teachings, even if they challenged you to change or grow. What did you learn about His justice, mercy, or love through that experience?
Think of a time when the Savior’s example of humility, despite being misunderstood or undervalued, inspired you to act with greater grace and patience. How did that change the way you approached the situation?
Think of a time when you felt the power of the Savior’s love in your life during a moment of weakness or doubt. How did that love affirm His divinity and influence your decisions?
Think of a time when you were struck by the depth and complexity of Jesus Christ’s teachings. How did reflecting on His doctrine help you see Him as more than just a teacher or historical figure?
Think of a time when you felt triumphant in a spiritual challenge or test of faith because of your trust in Jesus Christ. How did that victory strengthen your belief in His divine role as Savior?
Think of a time when you studied the Savior’s life and teachings and felt a greater sense of awe for His perfect example. How did that inspire you to live more closely aligned with His gospel?
During His mortal mission, Jesus taught that there were two great commandments. They have been taught in this conference and will forever be taught: “Love the Lord thy God [and] love thy neighbour as thyself.” If we are to follow the Savior faithfully in these two crucial and inextricably linked rules, we ought to hold firmly to what He actually said. And what He actually said was, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” On that same evening, He said we were to “love one another; as I have loved you.”
In those scriptures, those qualifying phrases defining true, Christlike love—sometimes referred to as charity—are absolutely essential.
Engaging Questions:
- How do you interpret the connection between loving God and keeping His commandments? How has this principle influenced your own actions?
- Jesus taught us to love one another “as I have loved you.” What does this standard of love look like in your relationships with others?
- Why do you think Christ linked love for God and love for our neighbors so closely? How can we better live these two commandments simultaneously?
- What experiences in your life have helped you understand the depth of Christlike love?
- How can we strive to make our love for others more reflective of Christ’s love, even in challenging circumstances?
- Why is it essential to consider the “qualifying phrases” of Christ’s commandments when defining true, Christlike love?
- How do you balance loving others unconditionally while also holding to the Savior’s teachings and commandments?
- In what ways can obeying God’s commandments strengthen our ability to love others more fully and deeply?
- Jesus’s love is often referred to as charity, the pure love of Christ. How can you develop and nurture this kind of love in your daily life?
- What role does humility play in living the two great commandments as Jesus taught them?
- How does focusing on Christ’s example of love help you navigate conflicts or misunderstandings in your relationships?
- What specific actions can you take to better love others “as [Christ] has loved you” in your family, community, or workplace?
- How does keeping the Savior’s commandments deepen your connection to Him and your understanding of His love?
- What challenges do you face in showing Christlike love, and how can you overcome them with the Savior’s help?
- How has loving others in a Christlike way brought you closer to understanding the Savior’s infinite love for you?
Object Lessons:
- “The Three-Strand Cord”
- Materials: Three strands of rope or string (labeled “Love for God,” “Love for Neighbor,” and “Obedience”).
- Activity: Show how a single strand can break easily but when braided together, the strands are much stronger. Discuss how love for God, love for others, and obedience to commandments are inseparably connected and strengthen each other.
- Lesson: True Christlike love combines loving God, loving others, and keeping commandments, creating a strong and enduring discipleship.
- “The Reflecting Mirror”
- Materials: A mirror and a picture of Christ.
- Activity: Place the picture of Christ in front of the mirror so it reflects His image. Explain that when we love others as He loves us, we reflect His light and love in our actions.
- Lesson: Loving others as Christ loves us allows His love to shine through us, reflecting His character to the world.
- “The Overflowing Cup”
- Materials: A clear cup, water, and a larger bowl.
- Activity: Fill the cup with water until it overflows into the bowl. Explain that as we fill our hearts with love for God, it naturally overflows into love for others.
- Lesson: Love for God and others are interconnected; the more we love God, the more we are able to love those around us.
- “The Guidepost Commandments”
- Materials: A small map or GPS and markers labeled “Love God,” “Love Others,” and “Keep Commandments.”
- Activity: Use the map or GPS as a metaphor for navigating life. Place the markers along a path and explain how these principles guide us safely home.
- Lesson: Following Christ’s teachings of love and obedience provides a clear path to joy and eternal life.
- “The Broken Chain”
- Materials: A paper chain made of three links labeled “Love God,” “Love Others,” and “Obedience.”
- Activity: Break one link and show how the chain cannot hold together. Discuss how omitting one element weakens the ability to fully live Christlike love.
- Lesson: Loving God, loving others, and obeying commandments are all necessary for complete discipleship; they rely on and strengthen each other.
Activities
- “As I Have Loved You” Challenge
- Materials: Cards with acts of service written on them (e.g., visit someone, write a note, give a compliment).
- Activity: Have participants choose a card and commit to performing the act of service during the week. Discuss afterward how these acts reflect Christlike love.
- Lesson: Loving others involves action, just as Christ’s love for us is shown through His life and Atonement.
- “The Love Connection”
- Materials: A whiteboard or large paper and markers.
- Activity: Divide the board into three columns labeled “Love for God,” “Love for Others,” and “Obedience.” Have participants write examples in each column of how they can live these principles in daily life. Discuss how they are connected.
- Lesson: Practicing love for God, others, and obedience in small ways each day strengthens our discipleship.
- “Scripture Scavenger Hunt”
- Materials: Scriptures and a list of references about love and obedience.
- Activity: Divide participants into groups and assign scripture references (e.g., John 13:34–35, John 14:15, Moroni 7:47–48). Have each group summarize what the scripture teaches about love and share their findings.
- Lesson: The scriptures consistently teach that love for God, others, and obedience are inseparable aspects of Christlike discipleship.
- “Love in Action Collage”
- Materials: Magazines, scissors, glue, and a poster board.
- Activity: Create a collage with images and words representing ways to show love for God and others. Display the collage as a reminder of Christ’s teachings.
- Lesson: Christlike love is demonstrated through actions, and we can actively seek ways to love and serve.
- “Commandment Walk”
- Materials: Cards with commandments and examples of how to follow them.
- Activity: Set up a path with the cards as stepping stones. Have participants walk along the path, reading each card and reflecting on how keeping commandments shows love for God and others.
- Lesson: Obedience to God’s commandments is a direct expression of our love for Him and others.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you felt your love for God deepen through obedience to His commandments. How did that experience help you better understand the Savior’s invitation to “love me, keep my commandments”?
Think of a time when you felt prompted to love someone in a Christlike way, even when it was difficult. How did showing that love change the situation or your perspective?
Think of a time when you received Christlike love from someone else. How did their example of selfless service or kindness help you feel closer to the Savior?
Think of a time when keeping a specific commandment helped you feel more connected to both God and others. How did that connection increase your understanding of the two great commandments?
Think of a time when you struggled to love someone but felt the Savior’s influence help you overcome that challenge. How did you learn to see them through His eyes?
Think of a time when your efforts to love and serve someone else taught you more about the Savior’s love for you. How did that experience strengthen your testimony of His commandment to love one another?
Think of a time when you felt God’s love for you in a moment of personal struggle or doubt. How did that experience inspire you to share His love with others?
Think of a time when you were inspired by someone else’s Christlike love and charity. What did their example teach you about what it means to love as the Savior loves?
Think of a time when you sacrificed something to show love for God or for another person. How did that sacrifice bring you closer to fulfilling the Savior’s two great commandments?
Think of a time when you saw how loving others in small, simple ways made a big difference. How did those acts of charity help you better understand the Savior’s definition of true love?
What do they define? How did Jesus love?
First, He loved with “all [of His] heart, might, mind and strength,” giving Him the ability to heal the deepest pain and declare the hardest reality. In short, He is one who could administer grace and insist on truth at the same time. As Lehi said in his blessing to his son Jacob, “Redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.” His love allows an encouraging embrace when it is needed and a bitter cup when it has to be swallowed. So we try to love—with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—because that is the way He loves us.
The second characteristic of Jesus’s divine charity was His obedience to every word that proceeded from God’s mouth, always aligning His will and behavior with that of His Heavenly Father.
Engaging Questions:
- What does it mean to you to love with “all your heart, might, mind, and strength”? How can you emulate this kind of love in your life?
- How do you balance showing grace and declaring truth, as Jesus did in His perfect love?
- Can you think of a time when the Savior’s love felt like an “encouraging embrace” or a “bitter cup”? How did it help you grow spiritually?
- Why is it significant that Jesus’s love included the ability to administer both grace and truth? How can we apply this principle in our relationships with others?
- Lehi taught that redemption comes through Christ, “full of grace and truth.” How do these two qualities work together in your understanding of the Savior’s love?
- What helps you trust in the Savior’s love, even when it requires you to accept a “bitter cup” in your life?
- How does striving to love others with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength bring us closer to the Savior’s example?
- What role does obedience play in developing Christlike love? How does aligning your will with God’s strengthen your relationships?
- How does Jesus’s perfect obedience to Heavenly Father inspire you to live more faithfully?
- In what ways can we show love that reflects both grace and truth in our families, friendships, and communities?
- How can understanding the Savior’s example of obedience help you better align your actions with God’s will?
- Jesus’s love is transformative, even when it requires us to face difficult truths. How has His love transformed you in your own life?
- How can we show Christlike love to others when their choices or behaviors differ from our values or beliefs?
- Why is it important to remember both the grace and truth of the Savior’s love when sharing His gospel with others?
- How does loving others with heart, might, mind, and strength prepare us to feel the Savior’s love more fully in our lives?
Object Lessons:
- “The Grace and Truth Scale”
- Materials: A balance scale (or two buckets and a stick as a makeshift scale) and labeled weights (e.g., “Grace,” “Truth”).
- Activity: Add “Grace” weights to one side and “Truth” to the other, showing the importance of balance. Discuss how Jesus perfectly balanced grace and truth in His love for others.
- Lesson: Christlike love means offering kindness and compassion (grace) while upholding righteousness and standards (truth).
- “The Full Spectrum of Love”
- Materials: A prism or rainbow paper to create a spectrum of light.
- Activity: Shine light through the prism to reveal the full spectrum, explaining how Jesus’s love includes all aspects: heart, might, mind, and strength.
- Lesson: Christ’s love is complete and multidimensional, and we should strive to reflect that fullness in our own efforts to love others.
- “The Bitter Cup and the Embrace”
- Materials: Two cups—one filled with a sweet drink and the other with something bitter (e.g., unsweetened herbal tea).
- Activity: Offer both cups as symbols of Christ’s love—sweet when He comforts us and bitter when He helps us grow through hard truths. Discuss how both are acts of love.
- Lesson: Christ’s love includes both grace to comfort and truth to refine, guiding us toward eternal joy.
- “The Obedient Compass”
- Materials: A compass.
- Activity: Show how a compass always points north and liken it to Jesus’s perfect alignment with Heavenly Father’s will. Discuss how His obedience allowed Him to love fully and lead us perfectly.
- Lesson: Obedience to God’s will directs our love and actions toward what is truly best for others.
- “The Four-Part Heart”
- Materials: A heart-shaped diagram divided into four sections labeled “Heart,” “Might,” “Mind,” and “Strength.”
- Activity: Discuss practical examples of how we can love in each way (e.g., “Heart” = showing compassion, “Might” = serving others with energy, “Mind” = learning about their needs, “Strength” = persevering in love despite challenges).
- Lesson: Loving as Christ did requires engaging every part of ourselves, just as He gave His all.
Activities
- “Grace and Truth Role Play”
- Materials: Scenario cards depicting real-life situations (e.g., a friend needs correction but also support).
- Activity: Have participants act out how to balance grace and truth in each scenario. Afterward, discuss how they mirrored Christ’s love in their approach.
- Lesson: Loving like Christ means offering support while encouraging growth, balancing compassion and accountability.
- “Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength Charades”
- Materials: Cards with actions or situations demonstrating love through heart, might, mind, or strength.
- Activity: Have participants act out the cards without speaking, and the group guesses which aspect of love is being demonstrated.
- Lesson: Christlike love involves engaging all aspects of our being in serving and helping others.
- “The Obedience Challenge”
- Materials: A simple obstacle course or step-by-step task list.
- Activity: Guide participants through the course or task while emphasizing the importance of following instructions to complete it. Relate this to Christ’s perfect obedience.
- Lesson: Obedience to God’s will, like following instructions, allows us to achieve the best outcomes in loving and serving others.
- “Love in Action Journal”
- Materials: Journals or paper for each participant.
- Activity: Ask participants to reflect and write about how they can show Christlike love in their daily lives. Encourage them to include examples of balancing grace and truth, loving with all their heart, might, mind, and strength, and aligning their actions with God’s will.
- Lesson: Reflecting on how to love like Christ helps us intentionally practice and grow in divine charity.
- “The Grace and Truth Tree”
- Materials: A tree drawing or branches and leaves made of paper.
- Activity: Have participants write acts of grace (e.g., forgiving someone) and acts of truth (e.g., standing for a principle) on paper leaves and attach them to the tree.
- Lesson: Both grace and truth are necessary to cultivate Christlike love and help it flourish in our lives.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you felt inspired to love someone with both grace and truth. How did you balance offering encouragement with holding firm to what was right?
Think of a time when someone showed you Christlike love by helping you confront a difficult truth. How did their honesty and support help you grow?
Think of a time when you loved someone with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. What did that experience teach you about the Savior’s love for us?
Think of a time when you relied on the Savior’s grace to navigate a challenging situation. How did His love strengthen you to endure or overcome?
Think of a time when obedience to God’s commandments helped you love someone more deeply. How did aligning your will with God’s enable you to extend Christlike charity?
Think of a time when you had to offer forgiveness or seek forgiveness to truly love as the Savior does. How did that experience teach you about the connection between grace and truth?
Think of a time when you loved someone by helping them through a difficult moment, even when it required great effort or sacrifice on your part. How did this bring you closer to understanding the Savior’s love?
Think of a time when following the Savior’s example of obedience to Heavenly Father required you to act out of love, even when it was hard. How did your willingness to obey bless you and others?
Think of a time when you had to lovingly share a hard truth with someone while still maintaining compassion. How did you feel the Savior’s influence guiding your words and actions?
Think of a time when you experienced the Savior’s grace in your life alongside a hard but necessary truth. How did that moment help you feel His love and increase your desire to love others as He does?
When He arrived on the Western Hemisphere following His Resurrection, Christ said to the Nephites: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ. … I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, … in the which I have suffered the will of the Father … from the beginning.”
Of the myriad ways He could have introduced Himself, Jesus did so by declaring His obedience to the will of the Father—never mind that not long before in His hour of greatest need, this Only Begotten Son of God had felt totally abandoned by His Father. Christ’s charity—evident in complete loyalty to divine will—persisted and continues to persist, not just through the easy and comfortable days but especially through the darkest and most difficult ones.
Engaging Questions:
- Why do you think Christ chose to introduce Himself to the Nephites by emphasizing His obedience to the will of the Father?
- How does Christ’s declaration of drinking the “bitter cup” help you understand the depth of His charity and His love for us?
- What can we learn from the Savior’s unwavering obedience, even during moments of feeling abandoned or alone?
- In what ways can you strive to follow the Savior’s example of persisting in obedience during your own difficult and dark days?
- How does understanding Christ’s loyalty to divine will strengthen your trust in God’s plan for you?
- Have you experienced a time when obedience to God’s will brought peace or clarity, even in a challenging situation? How did that experience affect your faith?
- Why do you think obedience is such a central aspect of Christ’s love and charity? How can we incorporate this into our relationships and discipleship?
- When you face moments of uncertainty or hardship, how can you draw strength from the Savior’s example of enduring loyalty to His Father?
- Christ’s charity persisted “not just through the easy and comfortable days but especially through the darkest and most difficult ones.” How can we show charity in similar circumstances in our own lives?
- How do you reconcile moments when obedience feels difficult or when you feel distant from God’s presence with the Savior’s example of faith and persistence?
- What role does prayer play in helping you align your will with God’s during challenging times?
- How does reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice and obedience help you face your own trials with greater courage and faith?
- How can we develop a deeper sense of loyalty to God’s will in our everyday decisions and actions?
- What does the Savior’s willingness to submit to the Father’s will, even in suffering, teach us about trusting God’s love and wisdom?
- How can we emulate Christ’s charity by serving and loving others, especially during difficult times in their lives?
Object Lessons:
- “The Bitter and Sweet Cup”
- Materials: Two cups—one filled with a bitter drink (like unsweetened herbal tea) and another with a sweet drink.
- Activity: Invite participants to taste the bitter drink and discuss its unpleasantness. Then offer the sweet drink and talk about the relief it brings. Relate this to Christ drinking the bitter cup of suffering out of obedience to the Father, which brought about the sweetness of redemption for all.
- Lesson: Christ’s willingness to endure the bitter cup demonstrates His perfect charity and loyalty to the Father, offering us the sweet gift of salvation.
- “The Refiner’s Fire”
- Materials: A piece of metal (or a photo) and a small candle or heat source (symbolically, not for actual melting).
- Activity: Explain how metal is refined through intense heat to remove impurities, likening it to Christ’s suffering and obedience in fulfilling the Father’s will. Discuss how we too are refined by trials when we remain loyal to God.
- Lesson: Just as Christ was perfected through His suffering, our challenges can refine us as we follow His example of obedience.
- “The Steady Compass”
- Materials: A compass or visual representation of one.
- Activity: Show how a compass always points north, representing how Christ always aligned His will with the Father’s. Discuss how we can align ourselves with God’s will, even during trials.
- Lesson: Christ’s unwavering obedience serves as our guide for staying spiritually “on course” through loyalty to God.
- “The Anchor in the Storm”
- Materials: An anchor or a picture of one.
- Activity: Explain how an anchor keeps a ship steady during a storm, symbolizing Christ’s obedience and charity as the anchor for humanity through the storms of sin and suffering.
- Lesson: Christ’s obedience to the Father provides a foundation of hope and stability for us, especially in our darkest moments.
- “The Unbroken Thread”
- Materials: A spool of thread and scissors.
- Activity: Cut several threads to show how human will can break under strain. Then use one unbroken thread to demonstrate Christ’s unyielding loyalty to the Father, even under immense pressure.
- Lesson: Unlike us, Christ’s obedience never faltered, showcasing His perfect charity and divine mission.
Activities
- “Walking in His Steps”
- Materials: A path drawn on paper or the ground, with markers along the way labeled “obedience,” “trust,” “sacrifice,” and “love.”
- Activity: Guide participants along the path, discussing how Christ demonstrated each principle and how we can follow His example. Include pauses to reflect on how we can show loyalty to God during our own trials.
- Lesson: Walking in Christ’s steps means remaining obedient and faithful to God’s will, even in adversity.
- “The Charity Challenge”
- Materials: Cards with scenarios (e.g., helping someone in need, forgiving someone who hurt you).
- Activity: Divide participants into groups, giving each a scenario to discuss or role-play. Relate the acts of charity to Christ’s love and obedience during His earthly mission.
- Lesson: Charity is not just love but also a commitment to act in alignment with God’s will, as Christ exemplified.
- “The Bitter Cup Journaling”
- Materials: Journals or paper and pens.
- Activity: Have participants reflect and write about a time when they had to endure a difficult experience while striving to follow God’s will. Invite them to consider how Christ’s example helps them face challenges with faith.
- Lesson: Like Christ, we can persist in loyalty to God during our hardest times, trusting in His plan.
- “Loyalty through Symbols”
- Materials: Pictures or objects representing Christ’s loyalty (e.g., the cross, the garden, the empty tomb).
- Activity: Display the symbols and discuss how each represents Christ’s obedience and charity. Invite participants to share how these symbols inspire their own faithfulness.
- Lesson: Christ’s ultimate loyalty to the Father is a model for our commitment to God’s will, even in adversity.
- “Obedience in Action”
- Materials: A list of Christlike qualities (e.g., patience, kindness, forgiveness).
- Activity: Assign each participant a quality to demonstrate in an everyday situation. Share experiences afterward, discussing how these acts emulate Christ’s obedience and love.
- Lesson: Following Christ’s example means living His teachings daily, showing obedience and charity in practical ways.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you were asked to trust in God’s will during a challenging or uncertain moment. How did following His will strengthen your faith and teach you about obedience?
Think of a time when you felt abandoned or alone but chose to remain faithful to God. How did that experience help you understand the Savior’s example of loyalty and perseverance?
Think of a time when you faced a “bitter cup” in your life and felt strengthened by the Savior’s love and example. How did His sacrifice help you endure or overcome?
Think of a time when your obedience to God required sacrifice or great effort. What blessings or insights came from staying true to His will, even when it was hard?
Think of a time when you felt inspired by someone else’s unwavering faith and obedience in the face of trials. How did their example teach you more about the Savior’s love and loyalty?
Think of a time when you felt closer to the Savior by choosing to obey His teachings, even when you didn’t fully understand why. How did that obedience bring clarity or peace?
Think of a time when you found strength to persist through dark or difficult days by focusing on Christ’s example. How did His loyalty to the Father inspire you to keep going?
Think of a time when you struggled to align your will with God’s but ultimately chose to trust Him. How did that choice deepen your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
Think of a time when you realized that obedience during difficult times brought you closer to the Savior. How did that realization help you face future challenges with greater faith?
Think of a time when you felt the Savior’s presence during a personal trial, reminding you of His complete obedience and love. How did that moment help you see His influence in your life?
Jesus was “a man of sorrows,” the scriptures say. He experienced sadness, fatigue, disappointment, and excruciating loneliness. In these and in all times, Jesus’s love faileth not, and neither does His Father’s. With such mature love—the kind that exemplifies, empowers, and imparts—ours will not fail either.
So, if sometimes the harder you try, the more difficult it seems to get; if, just as you try to work on your limitations and your shortcomings, you find someone or something determined to challenge your faith; if, as you labor devotedly, you still feel moments of fear wash over you, remember that it has been so for some of the most faithful and marvelous people in every era of time. Also remember that there is a force in the universe determined to oppose every good thing you try to do.
So, through abundance as well as poverty, through private acclaim as well as public criticism, through the divine elements of the Restoration as well as the human foibles that will inevitably be part of it, we stay the course with the true Church of Christ. Why? Because as with our Redeemer, we signed on for the whole term—not ending with the first short introductory quiz but through to the final exam. The joy in this is that the Headmaster gave us all open-book answers before the course began. Furthermore, we have a host of tutors who remind us of these answers at regular stops along the way. But of course, none of this works if we keep cutting class.
Engaging Questions:
- How does knowing that Jesus was “a man of sorrows” who experienced loneliness and disappointment help you feel closer to Him in your own struggles?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus’s love “faileth not,” even during His hardest trials? How can this inspire your own capacity to love?
- President Holland mentions that opposition often comes when we try our hardest to do good. How have you seen this in your own life, and how have you overcome it?
- What helps you stay faithful when the challenges of life feel overwhelming or when your faith is tested?
- How do you find strength in remembering that even some of the most faithful people in history have faced opposition and trials?
- President Holland describes staying committed to the gospel as signing on for the “whole term.” What motivates you to stay on the covenant path, even when the journey is hard?
- How does the analogy of an open-book exam and having tutors along the way help you understand the Lord’s plan for us in this life?
- In what ways do you rely on the “tutors” in your life—such as scripture, leaders, family, or the Holy Ghost—to help you through difficult times?
- How do you ensure that you “stay the course” with the gospel and avoid “cutting class” when things get tough?
- What role does faith in Christ play in helping you endure both the abundance and the poverty, the acclaim and the criticism, that life brings?
- How can you remind yourself of the eternal rewards and joy that come from enduring faithfully to the end?
- President Holland mentions the inevitability of human imperfection in the divine Restoration. How do you maintain faith in the gospel while navigating imperfections in others or yourself?
- How does the Savior’s example of unwavering commitment to His mission encourage you in your own journey?
- What practices help you renew your dedication to the gospel when you feel weary or discouraged?
- How can you show the same enduring love and patience toward yourself and others that the Savior exemplifies?
Object Lessons:
- “The Unbreakable Cord”
- Materials: A strong rope or cord.
- Activity: Hold the rope as a symbol of Christ’s love and ask participants to try to fray or break it (or simulate this symbolically). Explain how, no matter how much pressure we face, Christ’s love is unfailing and can sustain us through every trial.
- Lesson: Just as the rope remains strong, Christ’s love does not fail, no matter how difficult life becomes.
- “The Open Book”
- Materials: A Bible or Book of Mormon, with bookmarks at comforting scriptures (e.g., John 16:33, Isaiah 41:10, Alma 7:11–13).
- Activity: Share scenarios where individuals face trials and invite participants to find relevant “open-book answers” in the scriptures. Highlight how Christ’s example and teachings guide us through challenges.
- Lesson: The Savior has given us the answers to life’s trials through His teachings, and we can rely on them when we feel overwhelmed.
- “The Light in Darkness”
- Materials: A small candle and a darkened room.
- Activity: Light the candle in the dark room and discuss how even a small light can dispel darkness. Relate this to Christ’s sustaining love, which offers hope and guidance even in our darkest moments.
- Lesson: Christ’s love is a constant source of light and hope, no matter how dark life seems.
- “The Refining Stone”
- Materials: A rough rock and a polished stone.
- Activity: Show the rough rock and polished stone, explaining that trials refine us when we stay true to Christ. Discuss how Jesus Himself endured suffering but remained steadfast.
- Lesson: Like Christ, we are refined through challenges, and His unfailing love helps us become who we are meant to be.
- “The Marathon Commitment”
- Materials: A picture of a marathon or a finish line.
- Activity: Use the marathon as a metaphor for enduring to the end. Discuss how Christ’s endurance through suffering is the ultimate example of staying the course.
- Lesson: We “sign on for the whole term” as disciples of Christ, knowing that His love strengthens us to endure every step of the journey.
Activities
- “The Tutor List”
- Materials: Paper and pens.
- Activity: Have participants list the “tutors” in their lives who have reminded them of Christ’s love (e.g., family, friends, leaders). Share how these individuals have helped them stay on course.
- Lesson: God places people in our lives to support and remind us of His love and guidance during challenging times.
- “Stay the Course Relay”
- Materials: Items for a relay race.
- Activity: Create a relay where participants pass a “torch of faith” along a path with symbolic obstacles. At each stop, they receive encouragement from “tutors” (other participants with scriptures or uplifting messages).
- Lesson: Staying true to Christ requires perseverance, but we are not alone—His love and others’ support help us along the way.
- “Fear vs. Faith Reflection”
- Materials: Journals or paper and pens.
- Activity: Have participants write about a time when they felt fear or doubt but were able to overcome it through faith in Christ. Share experiences (if comfortable) and discuss how His unfailing love played a role.
- Lesson: Fear is natural, but Christ’s love and example can help us move forward with faith.
- “Man of Sorrows Timeline”
- Materials: A timeline of Christ’s life (printed or drawn).
- Activity: Highlight key moments of sorrow and triumph in Christ’s life (e.g., Gethsemane, Crucifixion, Resurrection). Discuss how His experiences help Him understand and support us in our trials.
- Lesson: Christ’s journey teaches us that sorrow is part of life, but His love and triumph offer us hope and strength.
- “Spiritual Study Group”
- Materials: Scriptures, conference talks, and a comfortable space.
- Activity: Host a study session where participants explore scriptures about Christ’s love and endurance (e.g., 2 Nephi 2:2, Hebrews 12:2). Share insights and discuss how these teachings apply to their lives.
- Lesson: Studying Christ’s example helps us understand His love and encourages us to endure faithfully.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you faced challenges or setbacks while trying to live the gospel. How did remembering the Savior’s perseverance help you stay committed?
Think of a time when you felt opposition or discouragement in the midst of doing something good. How did you find strength to keep going despite the challenges?
Think of a time when the love of God sustained you through feelings of loneliness or sorrow. How did that experience deepen your understanding of the Savior’s love for you?
Think of a time when someone else’s faith and resilience inspired you to press forward in your own journey. How did their example remind you of Christ’s enduring love?
Think of a time when life’s trials made you question your own capacity to endure. What helped you remember that you “signed on for the whole term” and kept you on the path of discipleship?
Think of a time when you leaned on gospel teachings or the support of others to navigate a difficult moment. How did those “tutors” remind you of the answers God has already provided?
Think of a time when you had to persist in a good cause despite criticism or discouragement. How did focusing on the Savior’s example help you continue in faith?
Think of a time when you realized that your struggles were similar to those faced by others in scripture or history. How did that shared experience encourage you to stay true to your covenants?
Think of a time when staying committed to the gospel brought unexpected blessings or growth. How did that experience affirm your decision to keep going?
Think of a time when you felt the Lord’s support during a “final exam” of your faith. How did His open-book answers and the guidance of the Holy Spirit help you succeed?
“Whom seek ye?” With all our hearts we answer, “Jesus of Nazareth.” When He says, “I am he,” we bow our knee and confess with our tongue that He is the living Christ, that He alone atoned for our sins, that He was carrying us even when we thought He had abandoned us. When we stand before Him and see the wounds in His hands and feet, we will begin to comprehend what it meant for Him to bear our sins and be acquainted with grief, to be completely obedient to the will of His Father—all out of pure love for us. To introduce others to faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and receiving our blessings in the house of the Lord—these are the fundamental “principles and ordinances” that ultimately reveal our love of God and neighbor and joyfully characterize the true Church of Christ.
Object Lessons:
- When Jesus asks, “Whom seek ye?” how do you respond in your personal life and faith journey?
- What does it mean to you to bow your knee and confess that Jesus is the living Christ? How do you express that belief in your daily life?
- How has the knowledge that Jesus “carried [you] even when [you] thought He had abandoned [you]” brought peace or strength during difficult times?
- What feelings or thoughts come to mind when you imagine standing before the Savior and seeing the wounds in His hands and feet?
- How does Christ’s pure love for us, shown through His obedience and suffering, inspire you to live more faithfully and love more deeply?
- In what ways can you better introduce others to faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and temple blessings in your daily interactions?
- How do the fundamental principles and ordinances of the gospel reveal our love for God and our neighbors?
- How has experiencing Christ’s atoning power in your life deepened your understanding of His love and sacrifice?
- What steps can you take to ensure that your life reflects the joy and commitment of being part of the true Church of Christ?
- How does teaching others about the gospel strengthen your own testimony of Jesus Christ?
- Why is it significant that Jesus bore our sins and grief out of pure love? How does that influence your relationship with Him?
- How do temple blessings and ordinances help you feel closer to Jesus Christ and strengthen your commitment to follow Him?
- How does faith in Christ empower you to face challenges and remain committed to His teachings?
- How can you better prepare yourself to share the gospel and help others seek Jesus Christ in their lives?
- What can you do to live in a way that demonstrates your gratitude for the Savior’s love and sacrifice?
Object Lessons:
- “The Searchlight”
- Materials: A flashlight or lantern and a dark room.
- Activity: Turn off the lights and turn on the flashlight, representing the search for Jesus. Discuss how actively seeking Christ brings clarity and direction. Highlight that when He says, “I am He,” the light becomes even more brilliant in our lives.
- Lesson: When we seek Jesus with all our hearts, He reveals Himself as our Savior and Redeemer, lighting our path and dispelling darkness.
- “The Wounded Healer”
- Materials: A picture or drawing of the Savior with His wounds and a bandage.
- Activity: Discuss how Christ’s wounds symbolize His deep love and sacrifice. Place a bandage over the picture, symbolizing our gratitude and reverence for His Atonement.
- Lesson: The wounds of Christ remind us of His infinite love and the price He paid to carry us through our sins and grief.
- “The Confession Stone”
- Materials: A smooth stone and a marker.
- Activity: Write “Jesus of Nazareth” on the stone and pass it around. Each person shares one way they can confess or show their love for the Savior in their daily life.
- Lesson: Bowing our knee and confessing Jesus as the Christ means more than words—it involves living His gospel and embracing His teachings.
- “The Carrying Cross”
- Materials: A small cross or a piece of wood.
- Activity: Ask participants to hold the cross and imagine the weight Christ bore as He carried both His cross and our sins. Reflect on how He lifts us in our heaviest moments.
- Lesson: Christ bore the ultimate burden out of love for us, and He carries us when we feel abandoned or overwhelmed.
- “The Steps of Faith”
- Materials: Footprints or stepping stones labeled “Faith,” “Repentance,” “Baptism,” and “Gift of the Holy Ghost.”
- Activity: Lay the stepping stones in a path and have participants walk along them. Discuss how each step brings us closer to Christ and builds our relationship with Him.
- Lesson: The principles and ordinances of the gospel lead us to Christ and deepen our love for God and neighbor.
Activities
- “Who Do You Seek?” Reflection
- Materials: Journals or paper and pens.
- Activity: Ask participants to write a personal response to the question, “Whom seek ye?” Encourage them to include ways they can more actively seek Jesus Christ in their lives.
- Lesson: Seeking Christ requires intentional effort, but the blessings of finding Him are profound and life-changing.
- “The Hands and Feet of Christ”
- Materials: Cutouts of hands and feet.
- Activity: Have participants write ways they can serve others (hands) and follow Christ’s example (feet). Display the cutouts as a reminder to be like the Savior.
- Lesson: We honor Christ’s wounds by serving others and walking His path of obedience and love.
- “The Journey to the Temple”
- Materials: A map or diagram of a journey with stops labeled “Faith,” “Repentance,” “Baptism,” “Holy Ghost,” and “Temple.”
- Activity: Walk participants through the journey, discussing what each step means in their personal spiritual growth and how it reveals love for God and neighbor.
- Lesson: The path to the temple reflects our commitment to living the principles and ordinances of the gospel, drawing us closer to Christ.
- “The Wounded Savior Art Activity”
- Materials: Art supplies (e.g., paper, markers, paints).
- Activity: Invite participants to create a visual representation of the Savior, focusing on His wounds and the love they symbolize. Share the art and discuss its meaning.
- Lesson: Artistic expression can help us reflect on and connect with the Savior’s Atonement and His love for us.
- “Living the Gospel Principles” Role Play
- Materials: Cards with scenarios (e.g., forgiving someone, serving a neighbor, bearing testimony).
- Activity: Assign scenarios to small groups and have them act out how to live a principle of the gospel. Discuss how these actions show love for Christ and others.
- Lesson: Living gospel principles is a way of answering Christ’s call and demonstrating our commitment to Him.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you felt the Savior carrying you during a trial or hardship. How did that experience change your understanding of His love and sacrifice?
Think of a time when you felt prompted to bow your knee spiritually and reaffirm your faith in Jesus Christ. How did that moment strengthen your testimony of Him as the living Christ?
Think of a time when you sought to introduce someone to the gospel of Jesus Christ. How did their journey of faith deepen your own love for the Savior?
Think of a time when you felt the healing power of repentance in your life. How did that process help you understand what it means for the Savior to bear your sins?
Think of a time when participating in a sacred ordinance brought you closer to Jesus Christ. How did that experience help you feel His love and presence in your life?
Think of a time when you struggled with feelings of abandonment but later realized the Savior was with you all along. How did that realization change your perspective on His constant care?
Think of a time when you felt joy in helping someone else draw closer to the Savior. How did that moment help you see the beauty of the fundamental principles and ordinances of the gospel?
Think of a time when your testimony of Jesus Christ became deeply personal and meaningful to you. What led to that transformation, and how did it shape your discipleship?
Think of a time when you reflected on the wounds of the Savior—His hands, His feet, and His side—and felt a renewed sense of gratitude for His Atonement. How did that reflection inspire your actions?
Think of a time when the principles of faith, repentance, baptism, or the gift of the Holy Ghost brought peace or joy to your life. How did those principles strengthen your love for God and your neighbor?
Leave a Reply