Thursday, March 19, 2015
This week's lesson is based on Elder Ballard's recent talk at General Conference. I would encourage each of you to follow THIS LINK to watch, listen to, or read the talk.
Elder Ballard gave a powerful analogy that compared The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to a boat. He said ""Brothers and sisters, stay in the boat, use your life jackets, and hold on with both hands. Avoid distractions! And if any one of you have fallen out of the boat, we will seek you, find you, minister to you, and pull you safely back onto the Old Ship Zion, where God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are at the helm and will guide us right . . ."
As I read this talk, I pondered the times that I have "jumped out of the boat". I also thought of some of the people in my life who are currently "overboard". I ask that you ponder your own experiences and think about the following questions:
Thank you, again, for all you do to prepare for the lessons. The spirit that you bring with you on Sunday is the true teacher for you and those around you.
Claira Wilson
Elder Ballard gave a powerful analogy that compared The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to a boat. He said ""Brothers and sisters, stay in the boat, use your life jackets, and hold on with both hands. Avoid distractions! And if any one of you have fallen out of the boat, we will seek you, find you, minister to you, and pull you safely back onto the Old Ship Zion, where God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are at the helm and will guide us right . . ."
As I read this talk, I pondered the times that I have "jumped out of the boat". I also thought of some of the people in my life who are currently "overboard". I ask that you ponder your own experiences and think about the following questions:
- What do you do on a regular basis to made sure you are "staying in the boat" and "holding on with both hands"?
- What can you do to help those who have "jumped out of the boat"?
- What blessings come into our lives as we heed the council to "stay in the boat"?
Thank you, again, for all you do to prepare for the lessons. The spirit that you bring with you on Sunday is the true teacher for you and those around you.
Claira Wilson
Friday, March 13, 2015
"Principles of True Repentance"
Sisters -
After almost 3 1/2 months, I am so happy to be healthy and back in the Dallas 4th Ward again. The lesson this week is Number 5 in the Ezra Taft Benson Manual entitled "Principles of True Repentance" As you read through the lesson - Please ponder the following questions:
1. What principle of the gospel is repentance?
2. What is the principle that precedes true repentance? Why?
3. How does "Godly Sorrow"differ from feeling regret for something you have done wrong?
4. What are the two separate but different parts of true repentance?
5. What prominent role does Satan play in repentance?
6. How do we qualify to be members of Christ's Church?
7. How is a "Mighty Change of Heart" different from a change in behavior?
Take time to prayerfully consider your own life, what needs to be corrected in order to return and live with our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ?
General Conference is almost here and I still miss Neal Maxwell, and his beautiful words, I close with four quotes from him on Repentance:
"Repentance requires both turning away from evil and turning to God. . . Initially this turning reflects progress from telestial to terrestrial behavior, and later on to celestial behavior. As the sins of the telestial world are left behind, the focus falls evermore steadily upon sins of omission, which often keep us from full consecration." What is a sin of omission Sisters?
"God ask us now to give up only those things which, if clung to, will destroy us!"
"Cleansing repentant circumstances are to be welcomed even if the scrubbing is painful"
"When you and I make unwise decisions, if we have frail faith we not only demand to be rescued but we want to be rescued privately, painlessly,quickly - or at least to be beaten with only a few strips." (2 Nephi 28:8) Sisters how can we really feel forgiven until we first feel responsible? How can we really learn from our own experiences unless these lessons are owned up to?
See you Sunday,
Sister Karen Bateman
After almost 3 1/2 months, I am so happy to be healthy and back in the Dallas 4th Ward again. The lesson this week is Number 5 in the Ezra Taft Benson Manual entitled "Principles of True Repentance" As you read through the lesson - Please ponder the following questions:
1. What principle of the gospel is repentance?
2. What is the principle that precedes true repentance? Why?
3. How does "Godly Sorrow"differ from feeling regret for something you have done wrong?
4. What are the two separate but different parts of true repentance?
5. What prominent role does Satan play in repentance?
6. How do we qualify to be members of Christ's Church?
7. How is a "Mighty Change of Heart" different from a change in behavior?
Take time to prayerfully consider your own life, what needs to be corrected in order to return and live with our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ?
General Conference is almost here and I still miss Neal Maxwell, and his beautiful words, I close with four quotes from him on Repentance:
"Repentance requires both turning away from evil and turning to God. . . Initially this turning reflects progress from telestial to terrestrial behavior, and later on to celestial behavior. As the sins of the telestial world are left behind, the focus falls evermore steadily upon sins of omission, which often keep us from full consecration." What is a sin of omission Sisters?
"God ask us now to give up only those things which, if clung to, will destroy us!"
"Cleansing repentant circumstances are to be welcomed even if the scrubbing is painful"
"When you and I make unwise decisions, if we have frail faith we not only demand to be rescued but we want to be rescued privately, painlessly,quickly - or at least to be beaten with only a few strips." (2 Nephi 28:8) Sisters how can we really feel forgiven until we first feel responsible? How can we really learn from our own experiences unless these lessons are owned up to?
See you Sunday,
Sister Karen Bateman
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