Feb 22, 25 & 26

I missed a couple of days - it seems I have to vie for computer time as my spouse is still working on his schooling - my apologies.
On Friday we passed off our scripture mastery in Jeremiah 16. We went through 1 Kings 17 as well. We planned to act out this passage - it is such a great story. Elijah challenges and takes on 850 false priests and prophets. They have a show down, and Elijah even mocks their gods. He asks if maybe their gods are talking, or sleeping, or hunting and just don't happen to hear them. I love it! Of course the true God's power is manifest and proven to be the true god. The students wanted to work on their parts a little bit more over the weekend before we filmed it. Yesterday we focused on Elijah's experience as he was overwhelmed and ready to die - asking the Lord to take him. He was fed and strengthened by an angel. We talked about some of the angels the Lord may send into our lives to lift and strengthen us. Elder Packer says that most times our prayers are answered through other people - do we look for opportunities to lift each other, and possibly be an answer to someone elses' prayer? As we read, we discussed Elijah's 40 day and night fast - as he spiritually prepared for his duties. We talked about some of the things we might do to prepare ourselves spiritually for the tasks which we are given - we might fast and pray, study our scriptures, and even change our personal habits. As we continue reading, we discussed how the Holy Ghost was manifest to Elijah. He saw mighty winds - even breaking the mountains - but the spirit wasn't there. He saw earthquakes - but the spirit wasn't there. It was a still small voice. We watched some video clips with Elder Packer who said that the spirit is most often a FEELING. It is something we FEEL more than we hear (and prayers are often answered by others). Then President Eyring's clip in which he said that sometimes it is necessary for us to fast to receive the spirit and receive and find the answers we need. Additionally he stated that we might really need to search for the Father's will, and bring our will into congruency with the Lord's, and then we will receive the spirit which will come as a burning within ourselves. We continued and spent some time in 1 Kings 1, but our main focus was the calling of Elisha - who left his riches and everything to follow the prophet and the Lord. Are we willing to do as he did? - leave the world to follow the Lord? We finished class as we began to film, but then some of the students had to leave early - so I'm not sure when we'll finish this up.
Today we started class discussing a question from yesterday about the possibility of hamburgers in the afterlife. I shared some information from Brigham Young, and we also talked about how our bodies won't need blood anymore, and will be changed. We referenced some of this in 1 Cor. 15:50+
We looked at Elijah's passing today, and Elisha's request. I asked the students what they would ask for if they were the next prophet in line and they could ask for anything before the last one passed away. Most of them said HELP (or money - but Elisha had already had that and given it up). We saw that Elisha asked for a double portion of the spirit - what a great blessing to ask for! We went over his experience with those who mocked him and saw them eaten by the she bears - and discussed how important it is that we speak well of our leaders and are judicious in what we say.
We continued in chapter 1 and discussed the approach of the third captain of fifty in contrast to the previous 102. We discussed how we approach the Lord - and our own attitudes. Then we jumped to Chapter 6 and looked at the story of 'fear not for those that we with us are greater than those that oppose us.' We talked about the spirits which surround us, and how the Lord will ALWAYS help us. Sometimes our eyes aren't opened and we don't see the spiritual things or spiritual help that is available if we rely on it. We can always turn around and repent and the Lord will offer his help if we sincerely ask for it.
Finally, we ended class with a video depicting chapter 5. Naaman the leper. We talked about how the servant girls' small comment had such a huge impact upon Naaman and his family. She simply shared the gospel. Additionally, Naaman was ready to do something big to cure his leprosy, but was very reluctant to do the small and simple thing he was asked to. I asked the student to consider - "Why is it that sometimes the small things are so hard to do?" Small things like reading our scriptures and saying our prayers and being kind to others often seem so small and insignificant, but they may be some of the toughest things for us to do. I asked the students to think today about what some of the small things are in their lives which they would like to do better.
Our scripture mastery for this week is Ezekiel 37:15-17.