Dear
Family and Friends
Can
you believe it we are almost to the end of another month? Where does the time
go? I was thinking just the other day just how much influence one person can
have upon another person. Often times it is without their knowledge. With this
being the case don’t you think that it is a really good idea for each one of us
to be more intentional in what we do and in what we say? Because as you
probably realize, there is always someone watching you. Someone is always
listening to what we say and how we say it☹
It
doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, or where you are, there is always
someone who is paying attention to what you are doing, how you are doing it and
what you are saying and how you are saying it! So, my challenge to each one of
you is to do your best to be more intentional in what you are doing, how you
are doing it and in what you are saying and how you are saying it😊
I made this challenge to myself and I thought that you might like to share in
this challenge along with me😊 You are such goo sports!!!
I
was sitting here holding my little grand daughter and I had my left arm around her
– that’s the side with lymphedema. Anyway, my forearm began to get a very
hurtful cramp. It was hard to get it to stop cramping. I guess another side
effect from the lymphedema which is a side effect from my cancer😊
The other day I was holding a book in that hand when my thumb got stuck in a
cramp that went right into the underside of my forearm and I couldn’t release
the book at all. my hand was in kind of a hook shape with my hand pulled in towards
the underside of my forearm
I
had to physically remove the book from my left hand with my right hand. Then I
had to massage the left wrist and hand to get the cramp to release☹
It was the strangest thing not to be able to move my hand and fingers. It was
like my brain was not getting the messages I was sending it – to release that
book!!! Shoot, who knows – maybe my brain was so focused on the weirdness and
the pain that it was not sending the message at all☹
I
have learned so much about many different parts of my body and how they are
supposed to work and feel that sometimes it has been overwhelming. As interesting
as it had been, it has still been a bit overwhelming at times😊
I have experienced so may strange things these past few years since my diagnosis
with stage four breast cancer😊 when you get a diagnosis with an illness
or disease of one kind or another you grow with your learning about your given
illness or disease. I believe when you are learning you are growing!
I
am so grateful that God made me with two arms so I could work out those cramps.
I am sure that is not exactly why He gave us two arms and two hands, but I am
very grateful nonetheless😊 have
you ever thought about just how amazing the human body is??? For most things
our bodies can heal themselves if given the time and proper care!!! I think that
alone is pretty amazing don’t you??
As
you read 2 Corinthians 8–13, think about the people you teach and
plan activities that would help them discover the principles in these chapters.
Then review this outline for additional ideas. Do you remember in a previous
post I think I mentioned how our instructor usually asks us to share a
scripture or an experience related to what we have studied during the week?
Well, for this week it might be good as well for you and your family members
and friends to share what they each have learned as they read and studied 2 Corinthians
8 – 13. You could share or ask one of your family members and or friends to
share their favorite phrase or verse from the readings in 2 Corinthians
chapters 8 –13.
Not
telling where their verse or phrase came from you could ask the rest of your
group to find the verse or phrase shared😊
for me I think I would have to know at least the chapter to look in😊
be sure to share your reason why this
verse or phrase is meaningful to you or have them share why the verse or phrase was
meaningful to them.
This
next part comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and
Families manual;
What would you do if you
heard that a congregation of Saints in another area was struggling in poverty?
This was the situation that Paul described to the Corinthian Saints in 2 Corinthians
8–9. He hoped to persuade the Corinthian Saints to donate some of
their abundance to Saints in need. But beyond a request for donations, Paul’s
words also contain profound truths about giving:
“Every man according as
he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:
for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians
9:7).
7 Every man according as he purposeth in
his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of
necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
In our day, there are still
Saints throughout the world who are in need of help. Sometimes the most we can
do for them is to fast and donate fast offerings. In other cases, our giving
can be more direct and personal. Whatever forms our sacrifices take, it’s worth
examining our motivations for giving. Are our sacrifices expressions of love?
After all, it’s love that makes a giver cheerful.
Saints cheerfully share what they have to
bless the poor and needy.
Each of you should know that God has commanded His Saints to
help take care of those in need, and passages in 2 Corinthians 8–9 can inspire you and your family members friends in yours and their efforts to
take care or those in need😊 To help them find these passages, you could ask
questions like these: Why do we give? and How should we give?
You and your family member and friends could search for answers
in 2 Corinthians 8:1–15, and then you could search in 2 Corinthians 9:6–15. Paul spoke of the Macedonian Saints as
examples of generous giving in chapter 8, verses 1–5, How might the
principles taught by Paul help us better care for the poor and needy?
To help your family members and friends to better understand the
Lord’s way of meeting the temporal needs of His Saints, you may want to study
the following;
The Lord’s way of
providing for the poor and needy.
·
16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that
stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto
him that standeth in need; and ye will
not suffer that the beggar putteth
up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
·
17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I
will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him
of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—
·
18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the
same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath
done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
·
19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even
God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and
for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
·
20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on
his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have
begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should
be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye
could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.
·
21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you
are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto
you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive,
O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.
·
22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your
substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be
your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth
not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the
thing which thou hast done.
·
23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his
substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who
are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.
·
24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not
and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who
deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts
that: I give not because
I have not, but if I
had I would give.
·
25 And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain
guiltless, otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that
which ye have not received.
·
26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have
spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins
from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye
should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick
and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according
to their wants.
·
27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom
and order; for it is not
requisite that a man should run faster than he
has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that
thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.
·
27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let
your hearts be full, drawn out in
prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for
the welfare of those who are
around you.
·
28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do
not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if
ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in
need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.
·
29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out,
(it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men.
·
14 I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.
·
15 And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for
all things are mine.
·
16 But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed
to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be
exalted, in that the rich are made low.
·
17 For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I
prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
·
18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion,
according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up
his eyes in hell, being in torment.
- Handbook 2: Administering
the Church (2010), 6.1.
- 6.1 Purposes of Church Welfare The
purposes of Church welfare are to help members become self-reliant, to
care for the poor and needy, and to give service. In 1936 the
First Presidency outlined a welfare plan for the Church. They said: “Our
primary purpose was to set up . . . a system under which the curse of
idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and
independence, industry, thrift and self respect be once more established
amongst our people. The aim of the Church is to help the people to help
themselves. Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of
the lives of our Church membership” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 3).
- “Tithes and Offerings,” For the Strength of Youth (2011),
38–39.
- Hymns: “Because I Have Been Given Much,”
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/because-i-have-been-given-much?lang=eng
- “Lord, I Would Follow Thee,”
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/lord-i-would-follow-thee?lang=eng
- “Have I Done Any Good?” (Hymns, nos. 219,
220, 223).
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/have-i-done-any-good?lang=eng
- Videos on LDS.org: “Welfare
Facilities––Bishops’ Storehouse,”
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/2017-01-0006-welfare-facilities-bishops-storehouse?lang=eng
- “The Labor of His Hands,”
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/2011-05-09-the-labor-of-his-hands?lang=eng
- “Thanks Be to God,”
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/2011-05-19-thanks-be-to-god?lang=eng
- and “Fast Offerings: Are We All Not Beggars.”
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/2014-10-1001-fast-offerings-are-we-not-all-beggars?lang=eng
- Gospel Topics, “Welfare,” topics.lds.org. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/welfare?lang=eng&_r=1
There are many resources listed above, it
may be helpful for you and your family members and friends to study these
things for a little while each day😊 You might want to review each resource and
prayerfully decide which will be best to share with your family and friends😊
Can
you and/or your family members and friends find ideas in these verses showing
that the Saints in Paul’s time cared for the poor and the needy in the same
ways that we do today? This next part for Individual Scripture Study comes to
you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual;
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
I can cheerfully share what I have to bless
the poor and needy.
There are so many people in need all over the world. How can we
possibly make a difference? Elder Jeffrey R. Holland offered this counsel:
“Rich or poor, we are to ‘do what we can’ when others are in need [see Mark 14:6, 8].
6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she
hath wrought a good work on me.
… [God] will help you and guide you in
compassionate acts of discipleship if you are conscientiously wanting and
praying and looking for ways to keep a commandment He has given us again and
again” (“Are We All Not Beggars?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov.
2014, 41).
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1–15; 9:6–15, making note of principles
Paul taught about caring for the poor and needy. What inspires you about Paul’s
counsel? You might pray for guidance about what you can do to bless someone in
need. Be sure to record any impressions you receive and act on them.
See also Mosiah 4:16–27; Alma 34:27–29;
Henry B. Eyring, “Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 22–25;
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2015/05/saturday-morning-session/is-not-this-the-fast-that-i-have-chosen?lang=eng
Linda K. Burton, “I Was a Stranger,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 13–15. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2016/05/general-womens-session/i-was-a-stranger?lang=eng
Henry B. Eyring, “Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 22–25;
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2015/05/saturday-morning-session/is-not-this-the-fast-that-i-have-chosen?lang=eng
Linda K. Burton, “I Was a Stranger,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 13–15. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2016/05/general-womens-session/i-was-a-stranger?lang=eng
False prophets seek to deceive.
You know that each one of you (and me too😊), we are just like the
Corinthian Saints. Each one of you (and me too😊), we are all susceptible
to the false teachings that come about all around us. Because this is true, we
can benefit from reviewing Paul’s warnings to the Corinthians about “false
apostles.”
You and you family members might find examples of false teachings that influence us today in Elder Quentin L. Cook’s message “Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 40–43). You can read or listen to his talk here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/valiant-in-the-testimony-of-jesus?lang=eng
You and you family members might find examples of false teachings that influence us today in Elder Quentin L. Cook’s message “Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 40–43). You can read or listen to his talk here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/valiant-in-the-testimony-of-jesus?lang=eng
You may want to read this message beforehand and share with your
family members and friends just what it teaches us about how we can each avoid the
“stumbling blocks” that can and will lead us away from the gospel and away from
our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
What other teachings are common in the world today that can lead us away from the truths of the gospel? You could review 2 Corinthians 11:21–33 and share what you learn from these verses with your family members and friends about true “ministers of Christ.”
This next part for Individual Scripture Study comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual;
What other teachings are common in the world today that can lead us away from the truths of the gospel? You could review 2 Corinthians 11:21–33 and share what you learn from these verses with your family members and friends about true “ministers of Christ.”
This next part for Individual Scripture Study comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual;
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
False prophets seek to deceive.
It might help you understand this chapter to know that “false
apostles” had arisen among the Corinthian Saints (2 Corinthians 11:13). What do you learn
from verses 13–15 about those who
teach false doctrines? What do you learn about true prophets as you read about
Paul’s experiences as a minister of Christ? (see verses 23–33).
We should “examine” our faithfulness in the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
You know sometimes we as Church members,
we can feel overwhelmed with all of the demands of life—including what we might see as the
demands of us being a Latter-day Saint. Paul’s counsel in 2 Corinthians 13:5; 11:3 to “examine
yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” can help you and your family members and
friends to focus on “the simplicity that is in Christ”.
Maybe you could read 2 Corinthians 11:3 together with your family members and friends. Then you may want to discuss what the phrase “simplicity that is in Christ” might mean. This was something that we did in class, it may be helpful to do this activity with your family and friends if you think it is appropriate – depending on the ages of your family members and your friends😊 You could ask your family members and friends to imagine that they were invited to write a description of the gospel of Jesus Christ for a newspaper, with a limit of 100 words.
Then you should give them some time to write their descriptions and let them share with each other what they wrote. If you have young children, you could find some pictures that would fit for this assignment and go ahead and make your newspaper article – with the pictures they choose and cut out, and your words – Who knows, you may find this to be a fun and enjoyable activity that you could do with other gospel topics😊
Maybe you could read 2 Corinthians 11:3 together with your family members and friends. Then you may want to discuss what the phrase “simplicity that is in Christ” might mean. This was something that we did in class, it may be helpful to do this activity with your family and friends if you think it is appropriate – depending on the ages of your family members and your friends😊 You could ask your family members and friends to imagine that they were invited to write a description of the gospel of Jesus Christ for a newspaper, with a limit of 100 words.
Then you should give them some time to write their descriptions and let them share with each other what they wrote. If you have young children, you could find some pictures that would fit for this assignment and go ahead and make your newspaper article – with the pictures they choose and cut out, and your words – Who knows, you may find this to be a fun and enjoyable activity that you could do with other gospel topics😊
If you are having your family members and friends
do this activity and they need a little help, you might have them look in John 3:16–17; 3 Nephi 27:13–21;
and True to the Faith, 76.
·
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
·
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might
be saved.
·
·
13 Behold I have given
unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto
you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
·
14 And my Father sent me
that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by
men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to
be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether
they be evil—
·
15 And for this cause have
I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I
will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
·
16 And it shall come to
pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless
before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.
·
17 And he that endureth
not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire,
from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.
·
18 And this is the word
which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth
the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.
·
19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore
nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their
faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the
end.
·
20 Now this is the
commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and
be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye
may stand spotless before me at the last day.
·
21 Verily, verily, I say
unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do
that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
·
Gospel
·
The gospel is our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. The central
doctrine of the gospel is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
·
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “The first principles and ordinances
of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance;
third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of
hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Articles of Faith 1:4).
·
4 We believe that the
first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
You know that in its
fulness, the gospel includes all the doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances,
and covenants necessary for us each to be exalted in the celestial kingdom. The
Savior has promised each one of us that if we endure to the end, faithfully living
the gospel, He will hold us guiltless before the Father at the Final Judgment
(see 3 Nephi 27:16).
Wow !!! I do not think we
can have a better promise than that, can we?
·
16 And it shall come to
pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless
before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.
The truth is that the fulness of the gospel has been preached in
all of the ages whenever God’s children (this would be each one of us) have
been prepared to receive it. In the latter days, or the dispensation of the
fulness of times, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through the
Prophet Joseph Smith.
·
Additional references: Romans 1:16–17; 3 Nephi 27:13–22; D&C 11:24; 39:5–6
·
See also Atonement of Jesus Christ; Baptism; Faith; Holy Ghost; Jesus Christ; Plan of Salvation; Repentance; Restoration of the Gospel
Then you could ask your family members
and friends that are doing this activity, to ponder whether they – individually
are staying true to the fundamental principles of the gospel. This is an
excellent question for each one of us to ponder – are each one of you staying true
to the fundamental principles of the gospel?
Then I think that it could be helpful to you, your family members and friends to “examine” just how you and they each individually and you all together as a family and your friends individually and with their family could simplify yours and their lives to be better disciples, you might share with them President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s statement:
Then I think that it could be helpful to you, your family members and friends to “examine” just how you and they each individually and you all together as a family and your friends individually and with their family could simplify yours and their lives to be better disciples, you might share with them President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s statement:
We can simplify our
approach to living the gospel.
President Dieter F.
Uchtdorf taught:
“Brothers and sisters,
living the gospel doesn’t need to be complicated.
“It is really
straightforward. It could be described like this:
“Hearing the word of God
with earnest intent leads us to believe in God and to trust His promises.
“The more we trust God, the
more our hearts are filled with love for Him and for each other.
“Because of our love for
God, we desire to follow Him and bring our actions in alignment with His word.
“Because we love God, we
want to serve Him; we want to bless the lives of others and help the poor and
the needy.
“The more we walk in this path
of discipleship, the more we desire to learn the word of God.
“And so it goes, each step
leading to the next and filling us with ever-increasing faith, hope, and
charity.
“It is beautifully simple,
and it works beautifully.
“Brothers and sisters, if
you ever think that the gospel isn’t working so well for you, I invite you to
step back, look at your life from a higher plane, and simplify your approach to
discipleship. Focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the
gospel.
I promise that God will guide and bless you on your path to a fulfilling life, and the gospel will definitely work better for you” (“It Works Wonderfully,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 22). You can read through his entire talk here:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/it-works-wonderfully?lang=eng¶=p35-p44#p35
I promise that God will guide and bless you on your path to a fulfilling life, and the gospel will definitely work better for you” (“It Works Wonderfully,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 22). You can read through his entire talk here:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/it-works-wonderfully?lang=eng¶=p35-p44#p35
After reading through his talk you could discuss with your
family members and friends how they can apply President Uchtdorf’s invitation
to “focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel.”
What other ideas do your family members and friends have about how we can
examine ourselves to ensure that we remain true to the faith?
This next part for Individual Scripture Study comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual;
This next part for Individual Scripture Study comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual;
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
I should “examine” my faithfulness in the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
Because today there
are many who seek to lead us away “from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3), you might accept Paul’s invitation to “examine [yourself],
whether ye be in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
For example, you might ponder what you can eliminate from your life that will help you focus on Christ, or you might complete the “Attribute Activity” in Preach My Gospel, page 126. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-develop-christlike-attributes?lang=eng
For example, you might ponder what you can eliminate from your life that will help you focus on Christ, or you might complete the “Attribute Activity” in Preach My Gospel, page 126. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-develop-christlike-attributes?lang=eng
What is “the third heaven,” and who was the
man who was “caught up to” it?
In these verses, Paul
was talking about himself, without mentioning himself directly—perhaps to avoid boasting about his
remarkable vision. The phrase “the third heaven” refers to the celestial
kingdom (see D&C 76:96–98).
The Savior’s grace is sufficient to help us
find strength in our weakness.
Okay,
here we are at the very last question of this lesson -- what would you say to a
friend who has prayed for relief from a physical infirmity but feels that this
prayer is not being answered? Together as a family you might want to read 2 Corinthians 12:5–10.
Ask your family members and friend to ponder this question silently as you read these verses to them. Then you could have each one of your family members and friends share insights from these verses that might help in this situation. You or they could also share experiences when, through Jesus Christ’s grace, you or they have found strength in weakness. How did that experience influence yours or their lives? T
his next part for Personal Scripture Stud comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual;
Ask your family members and friend to ponder this question silently as you read these verses to them. Then you could have each one of your family members and friends share insights from these verses that might help in this situation. You or they could also share experiences when, through Jesus Christ’s grace, you or they have found strength in weakness. How did that experience influence yours or their lives? T
his next part for Personal Scripture Stud comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual;
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
The Savior’s grace is sufficient to help me
find strength in my weakness.
We don’t know what
Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was, but it’s easy to relate to his desire to have
it removed. We all have challenges and problems that the Lord has not seen fit
to remove from our lives. Think about your own challenges as you read 2 Corinthians 12:5–10. What did Paul teach about weakness? What does it mean to you
that God’s grace is sufficient for you? How have you experienced God’s
strengthening power?
What did Paul mean when he spoke of “two or
three witnesses”?
In Old Testament times, two or three witnesses
were required to bring an accusation against someone (see Deuteronomy 19:15).
15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity,
or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the
matter be established.
Paul cited this
practice when he referred to his third visit to Corinth. Modern examples of
this principle of multiple witnesses include the Three Witnesses of the Book of
Mormon, the testimonies of Jesus Christ provided by the Bible and the Book of
Mormon, and the practice of missionaries testifying in companionships.
You
might want to ask your family members and friends if they know anyone who has
strayed from the gospel. If so, they will want to read through Galatians to
find out how Paul invited the Galatians who had strayed from the gospel to come
back😊
Now if you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, remember that these things are from the Bible and I think it is safe to say supported by the Book of Mormon. What I am saying is that these teachings are good for each one of you (and me too!) because these are truths given to us from God through His prophets and apostles written for us in our scripture😊
This next part with ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual;
Now if you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, remember that these things are from the Bible and I think it is safe to say supported by the Book of Mormon. What I am saying is that these teachings are good for each one of you (and me too!) because these are truths given to us from God through His prophets and apostles written for us in our scripture😊
This next part with ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual;
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening
As you read the
scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to
emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family. Here are some
suggestions:
What do you find in
these chapters that inspires your family to reach out to the poor and needy?
This might be a good time to plan an act of service as a family for someone in
need.
Does your family know
someone who could be described as “a cheerful giver”? How can we make our
service to others more cheerful?
How could you teach
your family about our “warfare” against wickedness? Would your family enjoy
building a wall or a fort with chairs and blankets? This could lead to a
discussion about how to cast down things that lead us away from God and
“[bring] into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” What are the
spiritual “weapons” we use to control our thoughts? (see Ephesians 6:11–18).
What can your family
do to focus more on “the simplicity that is in Christ”?
Wow! Do you guys realize just where we
are right now? We are at the end of this lesson and this post☹
together we have learned a great deal. So much more for us each to learn so
keep your scriptures handy. Keep reading and studying in them every day. And if
you are like me and you get off track then you will each need to remember that
we are studying God’s words that are found in our scriptures – so work hard to
get back on track😊
As always, remember who you are!!! You
are each one a child of God – a son or a daughter of a Heavenly Father who
loves you. Who knows you each individually😊 Truly, how awesome is that??? To be loved
eternally no matter what we might do!!! Hid love is always there for each one
of us! He is there for each one of us. He is there for you!!! He is there for
me!!! With His help we each one of us can become the person that He knows we
can become😊
Well, my dear Family and Friends I do
hope and pray that each one of you are doing well😊 I
hope that you are learning the doctrine as I have shared it with you in each
post😊 Remember
that our Heavenly Father loves a cheerful giver. Your attitude when serving and
giving make all the difference in the giving and the serving😊 Until
my next post don’t forget to make it a grand week!!!
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