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, “God’s Favourite” by Elder Karl D. Hirst.
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.
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Our family has six children, who sometimes tease one another that they are the favourite child. Each has different reasons for being preferred. Our love for each of our children is pure and fulfilling and complete. We could not love any one of them any more than another—with each child’s birth came the most beautiful expansion of our love. I most relate to my Heavenly Father’s love for me through the love that I feel for my children.
As they each rehearse their claims to be the most loved child, you might have thought that our family had never had an untidy bedroom. The sense of blemishes in the relationship between parent and child is diminished with a focus on love.
At some point, perhaps because I can see that we are heading toward an inevitable family riot, I’ll say something like, “OK, you have worn me down, but I am not going to announce it; you know which one of you is my favourite.” My goal is that each one of the six feels victorious and all-out war is avoided—at least until next time!
In his Gospel, John describes himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” as if that arrangement were somehow unique. I like to think that this was because John felt so completely loved by Jesus. Nephi gave me a similar sense when he wrote, “I glory in my Jesus.” Of course, the Saviour isn’t Nephi’s any more than He is John’s, and yet the personal nature of Nephi’s relationship with “his” Jesus led him to that tender description.
Isn’t it wonderful that there are times when we can feel so fully and personally noticed and loved? Nephi can call Him “his” Jesus, and so can we. Our Saviour’s love is the “highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,” and He provides until we are “filled.” Divine love never runs dry, and we are each a cherished favourite. God’s love is where, as circles on a Venn diagram, we all overlap. Whichever parts of us seem different, His love is where we find togetherness.
Engaging Questions:
- Elder Hirst describes each child in his family as feeling like the “favourite.” Have you ever felt uniquely loved by someone, and how did that impact you?
- How does reflecting on the idea of being God’s cherished “favourite” change your perspective on your relationship with Him?
- What experiences in your life help you relate to the love that Heavenly Father has for His children?
- When have you felt fully and personally noticed and loved by the Savior? What was that experience like?
- Elder Hirst mentions that divine love is where “we all overlap” in a Venn diagram. How do you see this love bringing together people who are different from you?
- How can focusing on God’s love help diminish feelings of inadequacy or the “blemishes” in our relationships?
- What can we learn from John referring to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”? How does this teach us about claiming the Savior’s love personally?
- Nephi said, “I glory in my Jesus.” What does it mean to you to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and how do you express it in your life?
- Elder Hirst described how his love for each of his children expanded with their birth. Can you think of times when your capacity to love others has grown unexpectedly?
- How does understanding that God’s love never runs dry affect the way you approach challenges and hardships?
- What are some ways you can remind yourself and others that we are all cherished equally by God?
- Elder Hirst mentions that divine love is fulfilling and complete. How do you seek to feel that completeness in your daily life?
- How do you share the message of being a “cherished favourite” of God with those who might feel forgotten or unloved?
- What does it mean to you to be “filled” by the Savior’s love, and how do you recognize when you are filled?
- In what ways can remembering that you are a “cherished favourite” help you build more loving and understanding relationships with those around you?
Object Lessons:
- “The Parent’s Heart” Illustration
- Materials: A heart-shaped object or drawing, and smaller heart cutouts.
- Activity: Display the large heart as representing God’s love and the love a parent has for their children. Distribute the smaller heart cutouts to participants and explain that each cutout represents one of God’s children. Place the small hearts inside or around the large heart to illustrate that God’s love encompasses and fills each one, without diminishing for any individual.
- Lesson: God’s love for each of us is complete and infinite. Just as a parent’s heart grows with the birth of each child, God’s love expands to fill each of us as if we were His only child.
- “The Venn Diagram of Love”
- Materials: A large paper or board to draw a Venn diagram, markers.
- Activity: Draw a Venn diagram with overlapping circles, each circle labeled with a different characteristic or trait that represents the diversity in a group of people. In the center, where all circles overlap, write “God’s Love.” Discuss how no matter how different we are, we all share the central point of being loved by God.
- Lesson: God’s love is the common ground where we all meet, and it is unconditional and limitless.
- “The Spotlight” Exercise
- Materials: A flashlight or a small spotlight.
- Activity: Dim the room and shine the spotlight on one participant at a time, saying, “Imagine God’s love is like this light that focuses on each of us individually.” Rotate the light to each person and share that God sees and loves us personally, even in a crowd.
- Lesson: Just as the spotlight focuses on each individual, God’s love reaches us personally and intimately.
- “The Favorite Color”
- Materials: A variety of colored cards.
- Activity: Ask each participant to pick a color they love and share why it’s their favorite. Relate this to how each of us has unique qualities that God loves. Explain that just as people may have different favorite colors, God’s love encompasses all our unique “colors” and qualities.
- Lesson: Each of us is loved for who we are, individually cherished, like different colors in a beautiful palette that makes up God’s creation.
- “The Parent’s Photo Album”
- Materials: Photos of a family (or digital slideshow).
- Activity: Show a collection of family photos and share that just as parents love each child in the photos deeply and uniquely, Heavenly Father loves each of His children in a profound and personal way. If using participants’ family photos, get permission in advance.
- Lesson: Each person’s experiences and qualities are known and loved by God, just as parents can recall moments and qualities about each of their children.
Activities
- “Love Letters from God”
- Materials: Paper and pens.
- Activity: Have each participant write a letter to themselves as if it were from God, expressing the love He has for them. This can include positive affirmations and reminders of their divine worth.
- Lesson: Reflecting on God’s love for us helps us to feel cherished and strengthens our relationship with Him.
- “Favorite Things Sharing Circle”
- Materials: None needed.
- Activity: Form a circle and ask each person to share one thing they think makes them unique and one way they feel God has shown His love for them recently. This builds connection and highlights individual worth.
- Lesson: Sharing personal stories helps participants recognize that they are all cherished by God and loved as individuals.
- “Filling the Bucket”
- Materials: A clear container labeled “God’s Love,” small stones or beads.
- Activity: Have each participant take a stone or bead, say one reason why they feel loved by God, and place it in the container. Watch the container fill up as each person contributes.
- Lesson: This visual reminder demonstrates that God’s love for each person adds to the collective love felt by all. His love is boundless and can never run out.
- “Names of Love”
- Materials: Strips of paper or name tags.
- Activity: Have each participant write “I am [name] and I am God’s favorite” on a strip of paper or name tag. Encourage them to wear it as a reminder that God’s love is personal and complete for them.
- Lesson: Recognizing that each person is God’s favorite helps internalize the idea that we are uniquely cherished by Him.
- “The Love Quilt”
- Materials: Fabric squares or paper squares, markers, and pins or glue.
- Activity: Each participant decorates a square with symbols or words that represent how they feel God’s love. Assemble the squares to create a “quilt” and display it as a collective representation of God’s love covering all of us.
- Lesson: Just as a quilt covers and warms, God’s love wraps around each of us, uniting us in His care.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you felt completely loved by someone. How did that experience help you understand God’s love for you?
Think of a time when you felt like a “favorite” to someone important in your life. What did that feeling teach you about how our Heavenly Father sees each of us?
Think of a time when you witnessed the love a parent has for their child. How did that observation deepen your understanding of God’s pure and complete love?
Think of a time when you felt God’s love reach you in an unexpected way. What circumstances led to that moment, and how did it affect your relationship with Him?
Think of a time when you struggled to show love or receive love due to differences or misunderstandings. How did you overcome those barriers and find unity?
Think of a time when you recognized how unique and cherished you are in God’s eyes. What experiences reinforced your sense of being personally known and loved by Him?
Think of a time when you saw the power of love heal or strengthen a relationship. How did that experience demonstrate the divine nature of love?
Think of a time when you felt like you were competing for love or attention but then realized that love is infinite and inclusive. How did that realization change your perspective?
Think of a time when you tried to help someone else feel seen, loved, or important. How did that act reflect the Savior’s love for each of us?
Think of a time when you felt inspired to say or do something that made someone feel like they were the “favorite.” How did that moment bring you closer to understanding Christ’s love?
Is it any surprise that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love those around us? When I see people showing Christlike love for one another, it feels to me as if that love contains more than just their love; it is love that also has divinity in it. When we love one another in this way, as completely and fully as we can, heaven gets involved too.
So if someone we care about seems distant from a sense of divine love, we can follow this pattern—by doing things that bring us closer to God ourselves and then doing things that bring us closer to them—an unspoken beckoning to come to Christ.
Engaging Questions:
- What experiences have you had where showing love to others brought a sense of heaven’s involvement?
- How can loving others “as completely and fully as we can” deepen our own connection to God?
- Elder Hirst mentions that Christlike love feels as though it contains divinity. When have you felt or witnessed this divine love in action?
- Why do you think loving God and loving others are considered the greatest commandments?
- How do you show love to someone who seems distant from feeling God’s love?
- What practical steps can we take to bring ourselves closer to God so we can better share His love with others?
- When you think of being an “unspoken beckoning” to come to Christ, what actions or behaviors come to mind?
- How does serving others help you feel more connected to the divine?
- Elder Hirst talks about love that “has divinity in it.” What does that kind of love look like in everyday life?
- How have you experienced or shown love in a way that felt supported by heaven?
- What does it mean to you to be a conduit for Christlike love, and how can you strive to be one daily?
- When have you felt prompted to reach out to someone who was distant from God, and what did you do?
- How can we inspire others to feel God’s love without using words?
- What are some ways we can strengthen our relationships with those who might be struggling to feel divine love?
- How does focusing on loving God and loving others transform the way we handle challenges and conflicts?
Object Lessons:
- “The Mirror Reflection”
- Materials: A small mirror or several hand-held mirrors.
- Activity: Show the mirror and explain that when we love others, we reflect the love of God. Ask participants to look in the mirror and say something kind or loving they would share with someone they care about. Discuss how when we show Christlike love, we become mirrors of His divine love to others.
- Lesson: Just as the mirror reflects light, our love reflects God’s love to those around us, inviting them to feel His presence.
- “The Warm Blanket”
- Materials: A warm blanket.
- Activity: Wrap a volunteer in a blanket and explain that just as a blanket offers warmth and comfort, our Christlike love surrounds and comforts those who need to feel God’s love. The warmth represents the divinity in our actions when we care for others.
- Lesson: When we act with Christlike love, we help others feel safe and embraced by God’s love, even if they seem distant from it.
- “The Connection Chain”
- Materials: Strips of paper and markers.
- Activity: Have participants write acts of love they can do for others on strips of paper. Link the strips together to form a chain. Discuss how each act of love connects us to others and strengthens the bonds of divine love in a community.
- Lesson: Each act of love adds to a growing chain of connection, symbolizing how our efforts to love others bring heaven’s influence into our relationships.
- “The Bridge of Love”
- Materials: Two stacks of blocks or books and a plank or board.
- Activity: Place the blocks/books apart, representing distance between two people. Lay the board across to create a bridge and explain that acts of love build bridges between us and others. Share how showing Christlike love bridges emotional and spiritual gaps, inviting others to come closer to God.
- Lesson: Acts of love build a path for divine influence and connection, fostering closeness between people and God.
- “The Overflowing Cup”
- Materials: A clear cup, water, and a larger container or tray.
- Activity: Fill a cup with water until it overflows into the larger container. Explain that as we fill our lives with love for God (water in the cup), it naturally overflows to others around us.
- Lesson: Loving God deeply allows His love to overflow from us to others, enriching and involving heaven in our relationships.
Activities
- “Random Acts of Divine Love”
- Materials: Small cards or sticky notes.
- Activity: Write encouraging messages or acts of service on cards. Challenge participants to perform these acts for friends, family members, or even strangers during the week. Discuss how these acts can help others feel God’s love.
- Lesson: Small, thoughtful gestures can be powerful invitations to feel divine love and closeness to God.
- “Love Map”
- Materials: Large sheet of paper, markers, and stickers.
- Activity: Draw a map with paths connecting “Me” to different people in participants’ lives. Add actions or steps they can take to show love and draw closer to each person. Use stickers to mark when they complete an action.
- Lesson: Visualizing how we can actively show love reminds us that each act is an invitation to share God’s presence and encourage others to feel closer to Him.
- “Building a Love Tower”
- Materials: Stacking blocks (like Jenga or wooden blocks).
- Activity: Have participants write or share acts of love as they add blocks to a tower. Discuss how each act builds on the foundation of God’s love and strengthens bonds with others.
- Lesson: Every act of Christlike love contributes to building a stronger, more divine relationship with others and invites heaven’s involvement.
- “The Love Candle”
- Materials: A candle and matches or an LED candle.
- Activity: Light the candle and explain that when we act with love, we carry a light that illuminates and warms the people around us. Encourage participants to list ways they can be a light to others and invite them to commit to one action during the week.
- Lesson: Christlike love is a light that not only guides others but draws them toward divine love and warmth.
- “The Invitation Letter”
- Materials: Paper and pens.
- Activity: Have participants write letters or notes to someone they care about, expressing love, encouragement, and an invitation to connect or participate in a meaningful activity together. The letters can be personal or anonymous.
- Lesson: Reaching out in a loving, thoughtful way can help someone feel noticed and loved by God, fostering a deeper sense of divine connection.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you felt a divine connection while serving or showing love to someone. How did that moment deepen your understanding of God’s love?
Think of a time when you felt distant from someone you care about. What actions did you take to bridge that distance, and how did they bring you both closer to God?
Think of a time when someone’s Christlike love brought you comfort or strength. How did that experience remind you of the Savior’s love for you?
Think of a time when you made a deliberate effort to love someone who was difficult to connect with. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your own sense of divine love?
Think of a time when you felt inspired to reach out to someone who seemed distant or withdrawn. What did you do, and how did that act of love draw you both closer to the Savior?
Think of a time when showing love to others unexpectedly brought you closer to God. What did you learn from that experience about the divine nature of love?
Think of a time when your relationship with God strengthened because of loving and serving others. How did you feel heaven’s involvement during that time?
Think of a time when you witnessed someone else extend Christlike love to another person. What impact did that act have on those involved, and what did it teach you about divine love?
Think of a time when you felt inspired to act in love, even when it was challenging or uncomfortable. How did that act affect your faith and your connection to the person you helped?
Think of a time when you felt love flow through you in a way that felt bigger than just your own efforts. How did you recognize divine love at work in that moment?
I wish I could sit down with you and ask you what circumstances cause you to feel God’s love. Which verses of scripture, which particular acts of service? Where would you be? What music? In whose company? General conference is a rich place to learn about connecting with heaven’s love.
But perhaps you feel a long way from the love of God. Maybe there is a chorus of voices of discouragement and darkness that weighs into your thoughts, messages telling you that you are too wounded and confused, too weak and overlooked, too different or disoriented to warrant heavenly love in any real way. If you hear those ideas, then please hear this: those voices are just wrong. We can confidently disregard brokenness in any way disqualifying us from heavenly love—every time we sing the hymn that reminds us that our beloved and flawless Saviour chose to be “bruised, broken, [and] torn for us,” every time we take broken bread. Surely Jesus removes all shame from the broken. Through His brokenness, He became perfect, and He can make us perfect in spite of our brokenness. Broken, lonely, torn, and bruised He was—and we may feel we are—but separated from the love of God we are not. “Broken people, perfect love,” as the song goes.
You might know something secret about yourself that makes you feel unlovable. However right you might be about what you know about yourself, you are wrong to think that you have put yourself beyond the reach of God’s love. We are sometimes cruel and impatient toward ourselves in ways that we could never imagine being toward anyone else. There is much for us to do in this life, but self-loathing and shameful self-condemnation are not on that list. However misshapen we might feel we are, His arms are not shortened. No. They are always long enough to “[reach our] reaching” and embrace each one of us.
Engaging Questions:
- What experiences or moments in your life have helped you feel God’s love the most deeply?
- Are there particular scriptures, songs, or experiences that remind you of God’s love? Which ones?
- When you are feeling distant from God, what practices or thoughts help you reconnect with His love?
- What are some ways you can remind yourself or others that feelings of unworthiness do not separate us from God’s love?
- How does knowing that Jesus chose to be “bruised, broken, [and] torn for us” help you understand the depth of His love?
- Elder Hirst mentions that “we are sometimes cruel and impatient toward ourselves.” How can we show more compassion to ourselves as God does?
- How can we support others who might feel disconnected from God’s love or believe they are unworthy of it?
- What do you think it means that Jesus “removes all shame from the broken”? How can this knowledge change how we view our own weaknesses?
- How does the symbolism of the broken bread during the sacrament help you remember the Savior’s love for you?
- When you feel surrounded by negative thoughts or voices, what truths or actions help you push back against them?
- How does understanding that God’s love is perfect, even for “broken people,” change your perspective on your personal struggles?
- What role does gratitude play in recognizing and feeling God’s love in your life?
- Can you recall a time when you felt God’s love through someone else’s act of kindness or service? What did that experience teach you?
- How can you be more mindful of God’s love in your everyday life, even during challenging times?
- Elder Hirst speaks of God’s arms being “always long enough to ‘[reach our] reaching.’” When have you felt that God reached out to you in a moment of need?
Object Lessons:
- “The Cracked Pot”
- Materials: A clay pot with cracks or an intentionally broken pot that has been mended.
- Activity: Show the pot and discuss how it might seem imperfect or broken, yet it still holds water and serves its purpose. Share how, like the pot, we may feel broken or flawed, but God’s love fills us, and we are still valuable and loved. Reference the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, making it more beautiful and valuable.
- Lesson: Our perceived flaws do not disqualify us from God’s love. Through Christ, our brokenness can be transformed into something even more beautiful.
- “Torn Paper Heart”
- Materials: A paper heart and tape.
- Activity: Tear the paper heart while explaining how life’s challenges, mistakes, and feelings of inadequacy can make us feel torn apart. Use the tape to mend the heart, symbolizing how Christ’s atonement and God’s love heal and make us whole again.
- Lesson: Even though we may feel torn or broken, God’s love can mend us. We may have scars, but they are part of our story of healing and connection with Him.
- “The Rope of Hope”
- Materials: A frayed rope and a stronger piece of rope.
- Activity: Show the frayed rope to illustrate how we may feel like we’re at the end of our strength, disconnected or broken. Then tie it to a strong rope, demonstrating that God’s love and the Savior’s atonement are what sustain us when we feel weak or disconnected.
- Lesson: No matter how frayed we may feel, God’s love binds and strengthens us, ensuring we are always connected to Him.
- “The Light in the Darkness”
- Materials: A flashlight and a dark room.
- Activity: Turn off the lights and share how life can sometimes feel overwhelming, dark, and filled with voices of discouragement. Turn on the flashlight and explain how God’s love is the light that breaks through that darkness, reminding us that we are never alone.
- Lesson: Even when we feel surrounded by darkness, God’s love is ever-present and will illuminate our path.
- “Broken Bread and Whole Love”
- Materials: Bread that is broken into pieces.
- Activity: Show the broken bread and remind participants of the sacrament and how the Savior chose to be broken for us. Discuss how this symbolizes that He understands our brokenness and invites us to remember that we are made whole through His sacrifice.
- Lesson: The act of breaking bread is a reminder that Jesus Christ’s perfect love reaches us in our broken state and makes us whole.
Activities
- “Scripture Treasure Hunt”
- Materials: Scriptures and clues.
- Activity: Create a treasure hunt with scriptures that highlight God’s love and Christ’s atonement (e.g., Romans 8:38-39, 2 Nephi 26:24, Isaiah 49:15-16). Lead participants to find these verses and discuss how each scripture reassures them of God’s boundless love.
- Lesson: Searching for and finding verses that speak of divine love helps reinforce the truth that we are never beyond its reach.
- “Letters of Love”
- Materials: Paper, pens, and envelopes.
- Activity: Encourage participants to write letters to themselves as if they were written by God or Jesus Christ, emphasizing love, hope, and assurance. They can include reminders that their perceived imperfections do not limit divine love.
- Lesson: This activity helps participants internalize the truth that they are loved as they are, flaws and all.
- “Voices of Love” Circle
- Materials: None.
- Activity: Sit in a circle and have each participant share one thing they know brings them a sense of God’s love (e.g., prayer, nature, music). As each shares, discuss how these experiences are unique yet part of a shared truth that God’s love is universal.
- Lesson: Recognizing how others feel God’s love can help participants see that divine love is ever-present, even if it manifests differently for each person.
- “The Reach Test”
- Materials: A ruler or tape measure.
- Activity: Ask participants to reach as far as they can and measure the distance. Discuss how our reach, whether physical or emotional, can feel limited. Share that God’s reach is limitless and always extends beyond ours to embrace us.
- Lesson: No matter how limited we feel our capacity is, God’s reach is always long enough to meet us where we are.
- “Shame vs. Love Reflection”
- Materials: A mirror and sticky notes.
- Activity: Have participants write words or phrases on sticky notes that represent negative thoughts they might have about themselves. Place these on the mirror. Discuss how these thoughts can obscure their ability to see themselves clearly. Then replace them with notes that share truths about God’s love and their divine worth.
- Lesson: This helps participants visually understand that God’s love clears away self-condemnation and helps them see their true worth.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you felt surrounded by love, despite being in a difficult or broken state. What helped you recognize God’s love during that time, and how did it change your perspective?
Think of a time when you felt discouraged and believed you were beyond help. How did you come to realize that God’s love was still there for you?
Think of a time when a scripture or a hymn brought you comfort and reminded you of God’s love. Which words stood out to you, and how did they touch your heart?
Think of a time when someone’s simple act of kindness made you feel seen and loved. How did that experience help you understand the boundless nature of God’s love?
Think of a time when you struggled with self-doubt or self-condemnation. What eventually helped you feel worthy of God’s love, and how did it impact your faith?
Think of a time when you helped someone who was feeling broken or lost. How did that experience help you see how God reaches us through each other?
Think of a time when you felt inspired to reach out for help or comfort. How did God show His love to you through the people or circumstances around you?
Think of a time when you felt distant from God’s love and later realized it had been present all along. What shifted your understanding and reminded you of His constant care?
Think of a time when you witnessed someone rise above their own feelings of inadequacy to feel God’s love. What did their story teach you about the reach of divine love?
Think of a time when your understanding of the Savior’s atonement helped you let go of shame and embrace healing. How did this shift in your heart make room for God’s love to take hold?
When we don’t feel the warmth of divine love, it hasn’t gone away. God’s own words are that “the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but [His] kindness shall not depart from [us].” So, just to be clear, the idea that God has stopped loving should be so far down the list of possible explanations in life that we don’t get to it until after the mountains have left and the hills are gone!
I really enjoy this symbolism of mountains being evidence of the certainty of God’s love. That powerful symbolism weaves into accounts of those who go to the mountains to receive revelation and Isaiah’s description of “the mountain of the Lord’s house” being “established in the top of the mountains.” The house of the Lord is the home of our most precious covenants and a place for us all to retreat and sink deeply into the evidence of our Father’s love for us. I have also enjoyed the comfort that comes to my soul when I wrap myself more tightly in my baptismal covenant and find someone who is mourning a loss or grieving a disappointment and I try to help them hold and process their feelings. Are these ways that we can become more immersed in the precious covenantal love hesed?
So if God’s love does not leave us, why don’t we always feel it? Just to manage your expectations: I don’t know. But being loved is definitely not the same as feeling loved, and I have a few thoughts that might help you as you pursue your answers to that question.
Engaging Questions:
- How do you find comfort in the symbolism of God’s love being as enduring as mountains? What other symbols remind you of His steadfastness?
- Elder Hirst mentioned that “being loved is not the same as feeling loved.” What are some reasons you think we might not feel God’s love even when it is present?
- When you don’t feel the warmth of divine love, what helps you remember that it hasn’t actually gone away?
- How does visiting the “mountain of the Lord’s house,” the temple, help you feel closer to God and His love?
- What experiences have helped you see evidence of God’s love in your life, even during difficult times?
- When was a time you felt God’s love while serving or comforting someone else? How did that act deepen your understanding of hesed, or covenantal love?
- What daily or weekly practices help you stay connected to the feeling of God’s love, even when life is challenging?
- How can reflecting on your baptismal or temple covenants remind you of the enduring nature of God’s love?
- What advice would you give to someone who feels distant from God’s love and is struggling to recognize it in their life?
- How do you remind yourself of God’s promises when you feel spiritually or emotionally distant?
- Isaiah spoke of God’s kindness not departing even when “the mountains shall depart.” How can we hold on to that assurance in times of doubt?
- Elder Hirst noted that serving others helps him feel immersed in God’s love. What small acts of kindness or service have helped you feel closer to God?
- What role does scripture study play in helping you feel and understand the reality of God’s love?
- How can you become more intentional about noticing the evidence of God’s love in your everyday life?
- Why do you think God’s love can be hard to feel at times, and what do you do to rekindle that connection?
Object Lessons:
- “The Hidden Sun”
- Materials: A flashlight, a dark box or cloth, and a small item (like a rock or a leaf).
- Activity: Place the item inside the dark box and shine the flashlight on it. Explain that even though the item is hidden in darkness, the light is still there, just as God’s love is still present, even when we don’t feel it. You could even put the box in a way that temporarily blocks the light. Then show how, when the box is moved or opened, the light is revealed, symbolizing how we can rediscover God’s love by seeking it with intention and patience.
- Lesson: Just because we don’t feel God’s love right away doesn’t mean it’s gone. It is still there, waiting for us to reach for it, just as the light is still present even if hidden for a moment.
- “The Everlasting Mountain”
- Materials: A mountain image or toy (can be drawn or built from blocks).
- Activity: Set up a physical or visual representation of a mountain and discuss how mountains are symbols of strength, permanence, and unshakable presence. Share Elder Hirst’s reference to the unmovable nature of God’s love, emphasizing that God’s love is like the mountains—stable, permanent, and constant, even if we don’t always feel its warmth.
- Lesson: No matter how our emotions fluctuate or how challenging our circumstances, God’s love, like the mountains, never changes and remains constant.
- “The Invisible Thread”
- Materials: A piece of thread or string and a large object like a rock or chair.
- Activity: Tie the thread to the large object, then pull it taut, making sure it’s almost invisible to the audience. Talk about how we may not always see the thread, but it is still there, strong and unbreakable, holding things together. Similarly, God’s love may not always be felt, but it is always present, holding us steady and secure even when we can’t see or feel it.
- Lesson: God’s love is like the invisible thread—strong and constant, even when it isn’t immediately visible or felt.
- “Water in the Desert”
- Materials: A dry sponge, a small bowl of water.
- Activity: Show the dry sponge, explaining that it is parched and unable to absorb anything. Then slowly dip the sponge into the water, showing how it begins to soak up the moisture. Explain that while the sponge may feel dry, it doesn’t mean the water isn’t there, just as we may not always feel God’s love, but it is always ready to fill us when we open ourselves to it.
- Lesson: God’s love, like water, is always available to refresh us. Sometimes we need to make space for it and be willing to receive it.
- “The Fixed Star”
- Materials: A picture of the night sky with stars or a small star-shaped ornament.
- Activity: Explain that the stars, especially fixed stars, are always present in the sky, even when clouds cover them. If we are clouded by doubt, fear, or discouragement, it can block us from feeling God’s love, but that doesn’t mean His love is absent. God’s love is always fixed, eternal, and constant, like a star, even when we can’t see it.
- Lesson: Even when we can’t feel God’s love or see evidence of it, it is still always there, shining with constancy like the stars in the night sky.
Activities
- “Feelings of Love Journal”
- Materials: Paper and pens.
- Activity: Have each participant create a journal entry or draw a picture of a time when they felt God’s love. If participants feel they haven’t felt God’s love recently, encourage them to reflect on how they have experienced love through others or in small, quiet moments. Have them write or draw how they might feel God’s love more deeply in their lives in the future.
- Lesson: Sometimes, we don’t immediately recognize God’s love in our lives, but by reflecting on past experiences, we can see how it has been present in our lives, even in unexpected ways.
- “Seeking His Love” Treasure Hunt
- Materials: Scriptures and clues.
- Activity: Create a treasure hunt where participants search for scriptures or specific quotes that show how God’s love is constant and unchanging. Some clues can direct them to scriptures about the permanence of God’s love (Isaiah 54:10, Romans 8:38-39, 1 John 3:1). As they find each scripture, encourage them to discuss how they can recognize God’s love more fully, even in difficult times.
- Lesson: Just as a treasure hunt requires effort and persistence, seeking to feel God’s love may require patience, but it is always available to us when we actively search for it.
- “The Mountain of Love” Reflection Activity
- Materials: Paper, colored pencils, and a drawing of a mountain.
- Activity: Have participants draw their own version of the “Mountain of Love” where they can visualize their spiritual journey. Instruct them to draw symbols on their mountain that represent how they can feel and experience God’s love (prayer, scripture study, acts of service, etc.). Encourage them to write down thoughts or questions about what might help them feel closer to God, especially during times when they might feel distanced from His love.
- Lesson: By visualizing their path toward God, participants can reflect on ways they can cultivate a closer connection to the source of divine love.
- “Music of Love” Listening Activity
- Materials: A playlist of calming or uplifting spiritual songs (hymns, Church music, etc.).
- Activity: Have participants listen to the music and reflect on the feelings of peace, comfort, and love that arise as they listen. Afterward, ask them how these songs help them connect with God’s love. Discuss how music can be one of the ways we open ourselves to experiencing divine love, especially when we feel distant or disconnected.
- Lesson: Music can be a powerful medium for inviting the spirit and reminding us that God’s love is always present, even when we don’t feel it immediately.
- “Covenant Love Circle”
- Materials: None.
- Activity: Have participants sit in a circle and take turns sharing what they do to remind themselves of God’s love (such as participating in the sacrament, keeping covenants, serving others, etc.). Afterward, have a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s constant love and ask for help to feel it more fully in their lives.
- Lesson: Covenant-keeping and service are key ways to connect with God’s love, especially when life is difficult or we don’t feel His warmth.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you struggled to feel God’s love but later realized it had never left. What helped you recognize that His love was constant, even when you didn’t feel it?
Think of a time when you experienced a major challenge or loss and felt distant from divine love. How did you eventually see that God’s love was still there, even when you couldn’t feel it?
Think of a time when you found solace in a covenant or sacred ordinance. How did that experience help you feel the enduring presence of God’s love, especially when life felt uncertain?
Think of a time when you were comforting someone else who was grieving or struggling. How did helping them process their feelings make you more aware of God’s never-failing love?
Think of a time when you felt disconnected from God and struggled to feel His love. What actions or steps did you take that helped you draw nearer to Him again?
Think of a time when you found comfort in a scripture or hymn that reminded you of God’s enduring love. How did that scripture or song become a source of peace during a challenging time?
Think of a time when you visited a place of spiritual retreat, like the temple or nature, seeking peace and divine love. How did being in that place help you connect to God’s love in a deeper way?
Think of a time when you experienced a moment of clarity or revelation about God’s love while in a moment of stillness or quiet prayer. How did that moment transform your understanding of His constant love?
Think of a time when you felt like you didn’t deserve God’s love but later came to understand that it’s not about deserving, but about God’s unchangeable nature. How did this shift help you feel more at peace?
Think of a time when you helped someone hold on to hope and feel loved, even though they were unsure about God’s love for them. How did this experience teach you more about how God’s love can be a guiding force for others?
Perhaps you are wrestling with grief, depression, betrayal, loneliness, disappointment, or other powerful intrusion into your ability to feel God’s love for you. If so, these things can dull or suspend our ability to feel as we might otherwise feel. For a season at least, perhaps you will not be able to feel His love, and knowledge will have to suffice. But I wonder if you could experiment—patiently—with different ways of expressing and receiving divine love. Can you take a step back from whatever is in front of you and maybe another step and another, until you see a wider landscape, wider and wider still if necessary, until you are literally “thinking celestial” because you are looking at the stars and remembering worlds without number and through them their Creator?
Birdsong, feeling the sun or a breeze or rain on my skin, and times when nature puts my senses in awe of God—each has had a part in providing me with heavenly connection. Perhaps the comfort of faithful friends will help. Maybe music? Or serving? Have you kept a record or journal of times when your connection with God was clearer to you? Perhaps you could invite those you trust to share their sources of divine connection with you as you search for relief and understanding.
I wonder, if Jesus were to choose a place where you and He could meet, a private place where you would be able to have a singular focus on Him, might He choose your unique place of personal suffering, the place of your deepest need, where no one else can go? Somewhere you feel so lonely that you must truly be all alone but you aren’t quite, a place to which perhaps only He has travelled but actually has already prepared to meet you there when you arrive? If you are waiting for Him to come, might He already be there and within reach?
Engaging Questions:
Certainly! Here are the questions without the topic headings:
- When you’re struggling with grief, loneliness, or disappointment, how do you keep hold of the knowledge that God still loves you, even if you may not feel it immediately?
- Elder Hirst mentions that knowledge may have to suffice when we can’t feel God’s love right away. What strategies have helped you stay connected to your faith during times when feelings were hard to access?
- Elder Hirst suggests experimenting with different ways to express and receive divine love. What are some ways you’ve found helpful for connecting with God when emotions seem distant or hard to access?
- How do you practice stepping back to gain a wider perspective during difficult times? What helps you shift from a close-up focus on your struggles to a more celestial perspective, like thinking about the stars or the vastness of creation?
- What experiences in nature have helped you feel closer to God? How do you sense His presence in simple natural moments, like feeling the breeze or listening to birdsong?
- How have friends or loved ones played a role in helping you connect with God’s love during tough times? How can you lean on your support system while you search for divine connection?
- Elder Hirst mentions music as a way to connect with heaven. How has music helped you feel God’s love or feel closer to Him? Do you have specific songs or hymns that bring you peace or insight?
- How can serving others help you feel the love of God? What acts of service have opened your heart to receive divine love more fully?
- Have you kept a journal or a record of moments when you felt closer to God? How can reflecting on those moments help you find peace or healing during more difficult seasons?
- Have you ever asked trusted friends or family members about their experiences of divine connection? How might you support one another in your individual journeys to feel God’s love?
- If Jesus were to choose a place to meet you, where do you think He might choose? Could it be a place of personal struggle or suffering where you feel most in need of His healing? How does knowing He meets us there bring comfort?
- When you feel alone in your suffering, have you ever experienced moments where you realized Christ was already there with you? How can you recognize His presence when you feel isolated or lost?
- How might your deepest personal need or struggle be a place where you can uniquely meet Jesus? How can you approach that place with the belief that He is already waiting for you there?
- How does being vulnerable and open about your struggles with God help you receive His love? In what ways has being honest with yourself and with Him led to healing and peace?
- Elder Hirst suggests experimenting with different methods of feeling divine love when it’s hard to connect. What might you try to explore God’s love in new ways during times when it feels distant?
Object Lessons:
- “The Faint Flicker”
- Materials: A small candle, a lighter, and a dark box.
- Activity: Begin by lighting the candle in a dark space and place it inside a box, slowly closing the lid to dim the light. As you do, explain that just like this candle, God’s love may seem faint or hard to feel in times of grief or struggle. However, even when we can’t see it clearly, it is still there, and by removing the obstacles or distractions (lifting the lid or moving the box), the light can shine more brightly.
- Lesson: Sometimes, our ability to feel God’s love may be dulled by life’s challenges, but His love is still there, waiting to shine brighter when we clear a space for it.
- “The Hidden Garden”
- Materials: A small potted plant, a piece of cloth or a dark cover.
- Activity: Cover the plant with a cloth to block out the light and discuss how, like a plant deprived of sunlight, we may struggle to feel God’s love in seasons of darkness or difficulty. Then, slowly lift the cloth to reveal the plant, which has still been receiving nourishment and light despite the cover. Just as the plant receives light even when it seems hidden, we receive God’s love, though we might not always perceive it.
- Lesson: Even during difficult times, God’s love is still nourishing and present in our lives, even if we can’t see or feel it clearly at first.
- “The Resilient Thread”
- Materials: A long piece of string or thread, a needle, and fabric or cloth.
- Activity: Hold the string and needle, showing how the thread can seem tangled or difficult to manage. Discuss how our struggles, like depression, grief, or loneliness, can feel like knots that obscure our ability to feel God’s love. However, with time, patience, and trust in Him, we can untangle those knots. Each tug of the thread can symbolize an effort to turn toward God or express our love for Him, and with His help, the knots can be undone.
- Lesson: God’s love is consistent, even when we feel tangled in life’s difficulties. With time, patience, and trust, we can untangle our hearts and feel His love once more.
- “The Cloudy Day”
- Materials: A small mirror, a piece of cloth.
- Activity: Place the cloth over the mirror, making it cloudy and hard to see through. Explain that just as we might struggle to see our own reflection in the mirror, we can sometimes struggle to feel God’s love when we are overwhelmed by grief or other burdens. Gently wipe away the cloth and reveal the reflection. Discuss how, though clouds may obscure the sun, they never take away its presence. Similarly, our challenges may block us from feeling God’s love, but it is always there, and we can still seek it through faith, prayer, and patience.
- Lesson: Our struggles may cloud our ability to feel God’s love, but it is always present, like the sun behind the clouds. It’s only a matter of clearing the obstacles and making room to feel it again.
- “The Thirsty Soul”
- Materials: A small glass of water, an empty glass.
- Activity: Start with an empty glass and ask the participants to consider how, at times, they may feel spiritually or emotionally parched. Fill the glass with water and describe how God’s love is the “living water” that can quench our thirst. Discuss how, when we feel empty or distant from God’s love, we can seek it by turning to spiritual practices such as prayer, scripture study, or service to others.
- Lesson: God’s love is available to us at all times, like water, but sometimes we need to actively drink from it through our actions and faith to experience it more fully.
Activities
- “Widening Your View” Journal
- Materials: Paper, pens, and a quiet space.
- Activity: Encourage participants to write or draw about a moment when they felt close to God or His love. Ask them to consider how they might take a step back from their immediate feelings of grief or pain and view their experiences from a broader perspective—perhaps through the lens of nature, music, or memories of spiritual moments. What might they see if they view their situation from a “celestial” perspective?
- Lesson: By shifting our focus, we can sometimes see new ways that God’s love has touched our lives, even when we are struggling or feeling distant.
- “Music of the Soul” Listening Exercise
- Materials: A playlist of spiritual or calming music (hymns, instrumental music, etc.).
- Activity: Have participants listen to a piece of music that speaks to them personally. Ask them to focus on how the music makes them feel and if they can identify moments where they feel God’s love, even if only subtly. Afterward, encourage them to reflect on how music can be an outlet for divine connection.
- Lesson: Music can be a powerful channel to feel God’s love, especially when words might be hard to find. It can offer us moments of peace and spiritual connection during difficult times.
- “Personal Place of Meeting” Reflection
- Materials: None.
- Activity: Invite participants to take a moment to think about the deepest places of pain, loneliness, or grief they may have felt. Ask them to imagine that, in these places, Jesus comes to meet them. What would He say to them in these places of sorrow? How might His presence bring healing, peace, or understanding? Have them write or share their thoughts afterward.
- Lesson: Jesus knows our personal suffering, and He is willing to meet us where we are, even in our darkest moments. He can bring healing and help us feel His love even when we feel alone or unworthy.
- “Testimony of Love” Sharing Circle
- Materials: None.
- Activity: Create a safe, open space for participants to share experiences of when they felt God’s love, or perhaps moments where they struggled to feel it but found peace in other ways (like through friends, nature, music, or service). This could be a roundtable sharing experience or a more creative activity like creating a “love chain,” where each person shares a sentence of how they’ve felt God’s love or connected with Him.
- Lesson: Sometimes, sharing with others can help us rediscover God’s love. As we open up to others and listen to their experiences, we can find new ways to connect with His love.
- “God’s Love and Service” Project
- Materials: None.
- Activity: Challenge participants to perform a small act of service for someone else, with the intention of feeling God’s love through the service they give. This could be as simple as a note of encouragement or helping someone in need. Afterward, gather the group to share how serving others helped them feel more connected to divine love.
- Lesson: Serving others can be a way to open ourselves to God’s love. When we love others, we feel more connected to His love.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you were struggling with grief, loneliness, or disappointment, and felt distant from God’s love. How did you manage to find comfort, even if you didn’t feel His love right away?
Think of a time when, despite feeling disconnected from God, you made an effort to experience His love in a new way, such as through nature, music, or service. What did that experience teach you about connecting with God in different ways?
Think of a time when you were facing personal suffering or deep need. How did you recognize that Jesus was already there with you, even if you couldn’t feel His presence in the way you expected?
Think of a time when you turned to a journal, scripture, or another form of personal reflection to find reassurance of God’s love. What did you learn from that process about the consistency of God’s love, even when you couldn’t feel it in the moment?
Think of a time when you felt isolated and alone, yet found a surprising moment of connection to God through something small, like a song, a friend, or a beautiful scene in nature. How did that simple experience remind you of God’s love in a powerful way?
Think of a time when you felt like no one else could understand or enter your personal struggles. Did you sense that Jesus was waiting for you in that place of deepest need? What did that moment teach you about His capacity to meet us where we are?
Think of a time when you experienced a moment of clarity or peace during a period of confusion or pain. How did this moment help you see that God’s love can sometimes be clearer when we step back and look at the bigger picture of His eternal perspective?
Think of a time when you helped someone who was struggling with feelings of loneliness or grief. How did supporting them in their pain help you understand more about how God reaches us in our deepest moments of need?
Think of a time when you were unsure how to find God’s love in your life, and you tried something new—whether it was a new prayer routine, a different form of worship, or seeking comfort in a friend or mentor. What did you discover about the ways God can reach us in moments of doubt?
Think of a time when you felt discouraged, but a small thing—like a moment of beauty in nature or a simple act of kindness—reminded you of God’s presence. How did that moment expand your understanding of how God’s love can manifest in unexpected ways?
If you do feel filled with love in this season of your life, please try and hold on to it as effectively as a sieve holds water. Splash it everywhere you go. One of the miracles of the divine economy is that when we try to share Jesus’s love, we find ourselves being filled up in a variation of the principle that “whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
Being filled with God’s love shields us in life’s storms but also makes the happy moments happier—our joyful days, when there is sunshine in the sky, are made even brighter by the sunshine in our souls.
Let’s become “rooted and grounded” in our Jesus and in His love. Let’s look for and treasure experiences of feeling His love and power in our lives. The joy of the gospel is available to all: not just the happy, not just the downcast. Joy is our purpose, not the gift of our circumstances. We have every good reason to “rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.” Let’s get full. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Engaging Questions:
- Elder Hirst invites us to hold on to the love we feel from God as a sieve holds water. How can we better share the love we receive from God with others in our daily lives?
- When we share Jesus’s love with others, we also experience a sense of being filled ourselves. Have you noticed this principle at work in your own life? How does sharing love impact your own sense of joy and fulfillment?
- In what ways has God’s love shielded you in difficult times? How have moments of feeling loved by Him helped you navigate life’s storms or challenges?
- How does experiencing God’s love during joyful moments make those moments even brighter? Have you had a time when feeling His love amplified your happiness?
- Elder Hirst encourages us to become “rooted and grounded” in our love for Jesus. What are some practices or habits that help you feel grounded in His love and deepen your relationship with Him?
- What are some experiences where you have felt God’s love and power more deeply in your life? How can you treasure and hold onto those experiences to help you through harder times?
- The joy of the gospel is available to everyone, regardless of our circumstances. How do you experience joy in your life, even in the midst of challenges or difficulties?
- What does it mean to “rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men”? How can we cultivate more joy and love in our hearts for God and others in our daily lives?
- Elder Hirst suggests that joy is our purpose, not the gift of our circumstances. What are some ways you can actively pursue joy, even when your circumstances aren’t ideal?
- Have you ever felt like your heart was “full” after giving love to someone else? What are some small ways you can fill your day with love and joy for others?
Object Lessons:
- “The Sieve of Love”
- Materials: A sieve (or strainer), a bowl of water, and a small container.
- Activity: Begin by filling the sieve with water. Explain that a sieve, like a person filled with God’s love, appears to hold the water, but it naturally spills through the holes. Ask the group to observe that even though the sieve can’t hold the water completely, it still carries some with it wherever it goes. Compare this to how, when we are filled with God’s love, we can’t keep it to ourselves; it flows through us and affects everyone around us.
- Lesson: Just as the sieve carries water to all places it goes, we are meant to share God’s love wherever we go. The more we share it, the more we are filled ourselves.
- “The Overflowing Cup”
- Materials: A glass of water, a smaller cup, and a pitcher.
- Activity: Fill the glass with water to the brim and explain that this represents being filled with God’s love. Ask the group to notice what happens when the glass is full—water spills over. Pour the overflow into the smaller cup, demonstrating how when we share God’s love with others, it not only blesses those around us but also continues to fill us.
- Lesson: Just as a full cup overflows, when we are filled with God’s love and share it, our joy increases. The more we give, the more we are blessed in return.
- “The Sun and the Mirror”
- Materials: A small mirror, a flashlight or lamp.
- Activity: Shine the flashlight onto the mirror and ask the group to observe how the light reflects and shines onto other surfaces. Explain that God’s love is like the light from the flashlight—when we receive it, we reflect it to others. We don’t just keep it to ourselves; we share it and light up the lives of those around us.
- Lesson: We are mirrors reflecting God’s love to others. When we are filled with His love, it shines outwards and illuminates the lives of those around us.
- “The Plant of Love”
- Materials: A small plant in a pot, water, and a small watering can.
- Activity: Discuss how a plant needs water to grow and thrive, just as we need God’s love to grow spiritually. Pour water into the plant’s soil, and as you do, explain that the plant is being nurtured. Then, show how sharing love with others is like the plant’s growth—when it receives water, it can spread its roots and flourish, just as we, when filled with divine love, grow and share that love with others.
- Lesson: Just as a plant grows and thrives with nourishment, our spiritual growth is enhanced when we are filled with love and share it.
- “The Lamp and Oil”
- Materials: A lamp with a small oil reservoir, a wick, and a match.
- Activity: Light the lamp and explain that the oil represents God’s love. As the lamp burns, the oil fuels the flame, making it shine brightly. However, when the oil runs out, the light fades. Ask the group to imagine that we are like this lamp—we need to refill ourselves with God’s love regularly. But when we do, the light shines even brighter, and it can also be shared with others.
- Lesson: Just as a lamp’s light shines when fueled with oil, we shine brighter when filled with God’s love. We are meant to share this light with others, and in doing so, we are continually refilled.
Activities
- “The Love Ripple Effect”
- Materials: A bowl of water and a small stone or pebble.
- Activity: Invite participants to drop the pebble into the water and observe the ripples. Explain that when we experience God’s love, it creates a ripple effect in our lives. Just as the pebble causes ripples to expand outward, our acts of love can spread far beyond what we can see. Challenge participants to think of a time when they felt loved and how that love influenced their actions toward others.
- Lesson: Every act of love, no matter how small, creates ripples that can reach and bless others. The more love we share, the greater the impact it has.
- “Acts of Love Journal”
- Materials: Journals or notebooks and pens.
- Activity: Encourage participants to keep a journal where they write down acts of love they have received from others and acts of love they have given. As they reflect on these experiences, ask them to note how they felt before and after each act—whether giving or receiving—and how it made them feel closer to God.
- Lesson: Reflecting on acts of love reminds us of how much we are blessed by God’s love and how sharing that love strengthens our relationship with Him.
- “Love in Action” Service Challenge
- Materials: None.
- Activity: Challenge participants to perform at least one act of service during the week—whether it’s helping a neighbor, writing a kind note to someone, or volunteering in some way. Afterward, gather the group to share their experiences and discuss how serving others helped them feel more connected to God’s love and the joy that comes from sharing it.
- Lesson: God’s love is made tangible through our actions, and by serving others, we can fill ourselves with the joy of His love and pass it on to those around us.
- “Pass the Love” Circle
- Materials: None.
- Activity: In a circle, have each person share one way they felt God’s love that week or how they have shared that love with someone else. Once they share, they will pass a small object (like a heart-shaped token or a small stone) to the next person, symbolizing the love being passed on. Continue until everyone has shared and received the object.
- Lesson: Sharing God’s love is not only about giving but also receiving. When we share it, we open ourselves to receiving even more.
- “Joyful Moments Journal”
- Materials: Journals or notebooks and pens.
- Activity: Ask participants to reflect on a joyful moment in their life, whether recent or in the past. Have them write about how God’s love was present in that moment and how it made them feel connected to others. Encourage them to look for more joyful moments, as they are filled with God’s love and presence.
- Lesson: Joy is the result of being filled with God’s love. By recognizing moments of joy, we can see how God is working in our lives to fill us with love and peace.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you were filled with God’s love in a particular season of your life. How did that love shield you during life’s storms, and how did it make your happy moments even brighter?
Think of a time when you shared the love of Jesus with someone else, and in doing so, felt that you were filled with even more love yourself. How did that experience help you understand the principle that “whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it”?
Think of a time when you felt particularly “rooted and grounded” in your relationship with Jesus Christ. How did that sense of being grounded in His love change the way you faced life’s challenges or opportunities?
Think of a time when you experienced joy in a season of life—whether through sunshine in the sky or sunshine in your soul. How did being filled with divine love enhance that joy, and how did it make you want to share that joy with others?
Think of a time when you had a small but significant moment of joy or gratitude, and it became an opportunity to share God’s love with those around you. How did that moment help you to see that joy is our purpose, regardless of our circumstances?
Think of a time when you were able to help someone else feel God’s love when they were struggling or felt distant from it. How did sharing that love strengthen your own connection to God and His purpose for you?
Think of a time when you recognized that your love for God and others grew because you were focused on the joy of the gospel, not on your circumstances. How did that shift in focus help you to “rejoice and be filled with love toward God and all men”?
Think of a time when you were filled with God’s love, and it seemed to spill over into your interactions with others. How did that love affect your relationships and make the moments shared with others more meaningful?
Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed with life, but a moment of deep connection with God helped you to see the bigger picture. How did that connection change your perspective and renew your sense of joy?
Think of a time when you were able to express God’s love in a simple but meaningful way, and how that expression of love impacted both you and the person you were serving. How did that experience increase your awareness of God’s love in your life?
