I originally thought this lesson would be a tough topic to cover but as I researched and found resources and planned this lesson, I found I had too much good stuff to cover! I really enjoyed teaching this lesson. Class member comments were insightful and personal. I thought my questions this week facilitated better discussion than some that I have had in the past.
I originally wanted to invite 2-3 less active and/or new converts to share their experiences with teachers in the church. I asked my husband to share and another member that I knew had been less active in the past but he wasn't able to come to class, so it ended up being just my husband. This is a personal topic that some may not feel comfortable sharing about but I thought the unique perspective was perfect for my class. Other class members that had previously been new converts or less active members organically began to share.
HERE is the link to the lesson. Below is the outline I followed for the lesson, including the video clip I showed (which was a bonus because it was 6 minutes long and very insightful).
Intro
- I told a story of how I went to a teaching conference by myself and put myself out there. A few other people invited me out with them and were extremely welcoming and helped me feel comfortable. I related this to new or less active members of the church.
- Show video clip from talk "Feed My Sheep" which has a great story and statistics about less active members - 0:00 - 6:19
- What stands out to you from this video? What surprises you? What did the spirit speak to you from this clip?
- Gordon B. Hinckley quote from manual
A Friend
- How can we extend the hand of fellowship to new or less active members? What does this look like? What if your class members are much younger than you?
- We read this quote from the church handbook about less active members:
- “Less-active members usually still believe in the gospel, but they may be experiencing difficult trials that make them feel uncomfortable attending church. They also tend to have fewer friendships in the Church, so they are less likely to feel they are among friends when they go to ward meetings. Those who return to activity often do so when they see that something is missing from their lives. As a result, they realize that they need to make changes in the way they live. At such times, they need the love and friendship of caring, active Church members who accept them as they are and show genuine personal interest in them.”
- Have ward member(s) share about how teachers affected them during the time that they were less active or a new convert
A Responsibility
- I printed and cut up the 5 ideas from this section and had 5 class members read them while I wrote a summary of each idea on the board.
- Does anyone have any other ideas on responsibilities we can give new members and/or less actives to help them grow stronger in their understanding of the gospel and testimony?
Nurturing the Good Word of God
- 3 Nephi 18:32 - continue to minister to those sheep, for you know not when they will return
- D&C 18:10–15 - worth of souls/how great shall be your joy
- Has anyone here ever been a home/visiting teacher to a less active or new member? Does anyone have any experiences they could share about ways that this has impacted them?
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