Relief Society Lesson – Discipleship & Ministering as the Savior Does

[AmyJ]

This week’s lesson was based on Elder Vinson’s talk “True Disciples of the Savior” and Sister Bingham’s talk “Ministering as the Savior Does”.

The class was really quiet and go through the material really quickly.

The saving grace of the meeting was the unplanned discussion on what discipleship looked like for Lehi’s wife. 😆

Key Points Included:

[Anonymous]

True Disciples of the Savior/Ministering as the Savior Does

Elder Terence M. Vinson/Jean B. Bingham

Overview

Today we are talking about discipleship as taught by Elder Vinson and Sister Bingham.

Group Question with Writing on the Board

What do you feel are some characteristics of a Disciple of Jesus Christ?

Characteristics of a Disciple (Elder Vinson):

• Prioritizing the Things of God above the Things of No Eternal Consequence. (Paragraph 5)

QUOTE 1: “I love the example of the correct attitude shown by King Lamoni’s father. You’ll remember his initial anger at finding his son being accompanied by Ammon, a Nephite—a people whom the Lamanites hated. He drew his sword to contend with Ammon and soon found Ammon’s sword at his own throat. “Now the king, fearing he should lose his life, said: If thou wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the kingdom.”

Note his offer—half his kingdom for his life.

– Elder Terence M. Vinson, “True Disciples of the Savior”, October 2019

QUOTE 2: “But later, after understanding the gospel, he made another offer. “The king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.”

This time, he was prepared to give up all his kingdom, because the gospel was worth more than all he had!

– Elder Terence M. Vinson, “True Disciples of the Savior”, October 2019

• Committed to living the gospel. (Paragraph 9)

QUOTE 3: “We can feel enduring joy when our Savior and His gospel become the framework around which we build our lives.”

– Elder Terence M. Vinson, “True Disciples of the Savior”, October 2019

• Finding Joy in Connecting with God (Paragraph 15 & 16)

QUOTE 4: “Giving our all doesn’t mean that we will be continually enveloped in blessings or always have success. But it does mean that we will have joy. Joy is not fleeting pleasure or even temporary happiness. Joy is enduring and is founded on our efforts being accepted by the Lord.”

– Elder Terence M. Vinson, “True Disciples of the Savior”, October 2019

Characteristics of a Disciple (Sister Bingham):

• Giving Service to Others

QUOTE 5: “But He also smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to, made time for, encouraged, taught, fed, and forgave. He served family and friends, neighbors and strangers alike, and He invited acquaintances and loved ones to enjoy the rich blessings of His gospel. Those “simple” acts of service and love provide a template for our ministering today.”

– Sister Jean B. Bingham, “Ministering as the Savior Does”, April 2018

QUOTE 6: “No matter our age, when we consider how to minister most effectively, we ask, “What does she [or he] need?” Coupling that question with a sincere desire to serve, we are then led by the Spirit to do what would lift and strengthen the individual. I have heard countless stories of brothers and sisters who were blessed by a simple gesture of inclusion and welcome at church, a thoughtful email or text message, a personal contact at a difficult time, an invitation to participate in a group activity, or an offer to help with a challenging situation. Single parents, new converts, less-active members, widows and widowers, or struggling youth may need extra attention and priority help from ministering brothers and sisters.”

– Sister Jean B. Bingham, “Ministering as the Savior Does”, April 2018

• It’s a communal effort – she includes working with others to fulfill needs.

Backstory about a woman who was diagnosed with cancer and her ward helped out in different diverse ways.

QUOTE 7: “As time passed, the ward continued their service, adding and adapting where necessary. It was clearly a labor of love, each member giving of him or herself, unitedly showing caring in individual ways that blessed not only the suffering sister but each member of her family.

After a valiant effort, the sister finally succumbed to the cancer and was laid to rest. Did the ward breathe a sigh of relief and consider the job well done and well over? No, the young women continue to walk the dog daily, the priesthood quorums continue to minister to the father and his family, and the Relief Society sisters continue to reach out in love to ascertain strengths and needs. Brothers and sisters, this is ministering—this is loving as the Savior does!”

– Sister Jean B. Bingham, “Ministering as the Savior Does”, April 2018

Key Characteristics of Discipleship include Connecting with God and Connecting with Others

How can we measure our progress as disciples of Jesus Christ?

Triangulation Example

In giving us the 2 great commandments (Loving God and Loving Others), Jesus taught us 2 important reference points we can use as triangulation points to spiritually measure our success. As we thoughtfully love others and connect with God, we become better disciples of Jesus Christ.

Personal Reflection

“So what should our attitude be if we are true disciples of Christ? And what is the gospel worth to us when we do “consider [our] ways,” as Haggai suggested?”

– Elder Terence M. Vinson, “True Disciples of the Savior”, October 2019

[Anonymous]

I very much like these lessons. We can be known as disciples because of how we show love one to another.

[Anonymous]

I love the insights about Sariah.

In my lesson, one of the girls said she followed Levi because she had no real choice. She was his wife, and that’s what wives did.

[Author]

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