Today we started out class discussing imitations. Students pointed out things that looked good, but they later found out weren't what they thought they were. One of our students volunteered, and did a taste test - she tasted Splenda (no calorie sweetener) and then some sugar. I asked her if she could tell the difference by the taste of the two - she said no- they tasted the same to her. However, they had a slightly different texture which she could distinguish. We discussed how Satan tries so hard to imitate the real things - the most important things, and tries to make the most important things seem insignificant.
We then turned to discussing how students would feel if their boss tried to pay them with monopoly money or their ski pass was fake. Finally, we asked the girls how they would feel about getting a fake ring when their boyfriend proposed. That was a fun reaction. Continuing the discussion, we discussed how the students would feel if their boyfriend/girlfriend proposed to them and asked them to marry outside of the temple.
I gave the students a dice and asked them to throw a 2. 7 students threw the die, and not one of them was able to get it. Similarly, the odds of having a spouse convert to the church is a 1 in 7 odds.
One of the students shared a story about going on a date and finding out that his date was completely not what he had thought.
We read a quote from President Spencer W. Kimball regarding temple marriage as well as some quotes which we have in the classroom, and the students shared their thoughts regarding temple marriage and the importance of it.
As we did this, we studied Deuteronomy 7:3-4 a scripture mastery verse. We were able to discover that one of Heavenly Father's great concerns regarding our marriage is that we not serve false gods - which often happens when we marry outside of the church. Heavenly Father loves ALL of his children - he wants us to be happy, and he wants us to keep the commandments. Idolatry and false gods lead us away from Heavenly Father, and thus eternal exaltation - that is His concern.
Finally, we studied Deuteronomy 10:12-13. These verses tell us what the Lord requires of us. By inserting our name into the scripture instead of the name Israel, this scripture becomes much more personal and meaningful. I challenged the students to determine if they were really doing these three things (or more) as stated in these verses. We discussed examining our lives to see if there are areas for improvement. Additionally, we discussed examining our lives to see if there is anything that would keep us outside of the temple right now. If so - to make the necessary changes so that we can receive the eternal blessings of the temple.
Heavenly Father loves us - his commandments (as stated in these verses) are because He loves us and wants us to be happy.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
January 8, 2008
Well, we didn't have class yesterday due to the nasty roads, so we picked up this morning beginning in the book of Deuteronomy. We focused on chapters 1-6. As we began class we played hangman to figure out what the most important word in the dictionary is: that word is REMEMBER. The students all contributed what their earliest memory was, and they also discussed what they would say - their last piece of advice if they knew they were going to pass away today.
Pivoting from this conversation, we discussed the history of the book of Deuteronomy. Moses was speaking to the Israelites just before they entered the promised land. He knew that he would die (be translated) and would not be going with them. Additionally, all of the original Israelites (led out of Egypt) who had been 20 or old had all died, excepting Joshua (the new prophet) and Caleb (who was steadfast, faithful and immovable). Therefore, many of these Israelites may not have known or completely remembered the whole history of this people who had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. As a result, we find Moses' discourse to these people just before they enter the promised land.
We decided to focus on promises which are found in these beginning chapters of Deuteronomy. The students read the following scriptures and then listed and discussed each principle which is taught, along with it's accompanying promise.
Here are the scriptures we used:
Deuteronomy 4:29-31
Deuteronomy 4:40
Deuteronomy 5:29
Deuteronomy 5:32-33
Deuteronomy 6:1-2
Deuteronomy 6:3
Deuteronomy 6:17-18
Deuteronomy 6:24-25
After we went through all of these, we discussed the main theme and message of all of these promises- and we really looked at v. 30 of Deut 4, which also applies to the Latter Days (us!).
Finally, we had two volunteers at the beginning of class who were wearing makeshift phylacteries - we discussed what they were, and why they wore them - once again stressing the importance of remembering and obedience - which is the greatest test of life.
The reading assignment for tomorrow is Deuteronomy 7-17
The scripture mastery is Proverbs 3:5-6
Pivoting from this conversation, we discussed the history of the book of Deuteronomy. Moses was speaking to the Israelites just before they entered the promised land. He knew that he would die (be translated) and would not be going with them. Additionally, all of the original Israelites (led out of Egypt) who had been 20 or old had all died, excepting Joshua (the new prophet) and Caleb (who was steadfast, faithful and immovable). Therefore, many of these Israelites may not have known or completely remembered the whole history of this people who had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. As a result, we find Moses' discourse to these people just before they enter the promised land.
We decided to focus on promises which are found in these beginning chapters of Deuteronomy. The students read the following scriptures and then listed and discussed each principle which is taught, along with it's accompanying promise.
Here are the scriptures we used:
Deuteronomy 4:29-31
Deuteronomy 4:40
Deuteronomy 5:29
Deuteronomy 5:32-33
Deuteronomy 6:1-2
Deuteronomy 6:3
Deuteronomy 6:17-18
Deuteronomy 6:24-25
After we went through all of these, we discussed the main theme and message of all of these promises- and we really looked at v. 30 of Deut 4, which also applies to the Latter Days (us!).
Finally, we had two volunteers at the beginning of class who were wearing makeshift phylacteries - we discussed what they were, and why they wore them - once again stressing the importance of remembering and obedience - which is the greatest test of life.
The reading assignment for tomorrow is Deuteronomy 7-17
The scripture mastery is Proverbs 3:5-6
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Friday January 4, 2008
On Friday this week, we continued working our way through the rest of the book of Numbers. We focused on Phineas (who stops the plague which was caused by idol worship of Baal-peor) - slightly violent but very indicative of the Lord's tolerance for sin.
We also spent quite a bit of time discussing the story of Balaam and Balak - how the donkey spoke (why is it that people accept that a donkey could speak, but not that God could speak to a 14 year old boy??). We discussed being steadfast and immovable (as Balaam started out but wasn't QUITE able to maintain.
Finally, we ended class with a cereal scripture chase.
Additionally, we all passed off Psalms 24:3-4 - everyone got it! Great job!
Next week we will focus on Proverbs 3:5-6
and we will go through the book of Deuteronomy.
We also spent quite a bit of time discussing the story of Balaam and Balak - how the donkey spoke (why is it that people accept that a donkey could speak, but not that God could speak to a 14 year old boy??). We discussed being steadfast and immovable (as Balaam started out but wasn't QUITE able to maintain.
Finally, we ended class with a cereal scripture chase.
Additionally, we all passed off Psalms 24:3-4 - everyone got it! Great job!
Next week we will focus on Proverbs 3:5-6
and we will go through the book of Deuteronomy.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
January 3, 2008
Today we were organized into new districts and got a new seating arrangement. For our lesson, we played scripture lightning. They mutinied when I brought out the pickles for some reason! So, we played it without the pickles.
We covered the materials in Numbers 12-21. We focused on some the murmurings of Israel, the Lord's reaction, Moses' reaction, and the final consequences of the murmuring. It is important to note (as one reads these chapters) that the book of Numbers spans 38 of the 40 years while the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. Therefore, although the murmuring seems extremely repetitive I believe it was spaced out, with just enough time for the people to forget as they began to murmur again. Class ended today as we discussed the fiery serpents in Chapter 21. Several of the students thought it was one of the stupidest stories ever(the people that is) - all the Israelites had to do to be healed and saved was to physically turn and look a the serpent on the rod which represented Christ. How hard was that?
However, as we examined this story a little further, we realized that all any of us have to do is the same thing - turn to Christ and be healed and saved. However, it doesn't always appear to be as easy - even for us to do either. What a great application to our lives in regards to our willingness to exercise our faith and obedience.
The scripture mastery for this week is a short one - Psalms 24:3-4. We will pass this off tomorrow and we will be doing a breakfast themed scripture chase.
We covered the materials in Numbers 12-21. We focused on some the murmurings of Israel, the Lord's reaction, Moses' reaction, and the final consequences of the murmuring. It is important to note (as one reads these chapters) that the book of Numbers spans 38 of the 40 years while the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. Therefore, although the murmuring seems extremely repetitive I believe it was spaced out, with just enough time for the people to forget as they began to murmur again. Class ended today as we discussed the fiery serpents in Chapter 21. Several of the students thought it was one of the stupidest stories ever(the people that is) - all the Israelites had to do to be healed and saved was to physically turn and look a the serpent on the rod which represented Christ. How hard was that?
However, as we examined this story a little further, we realized that all any of us have to do is the same thing - turn to Christ and be healed and saved. However, it doesn't always appear to be as easy - even for us to do either. What a great application to our lives in regards to our willingness to exercise our faith and obedience.
The scripture mastery for this week is a short one - Psalms 24:3-4. We will pass this off tomorrow and we will be doing a breakfast themed scripture chase.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
January 2, 2008
Today we resumed class and are focusing on the book of Numbers this week (albeit a short week).
As the students entered class today, each one was given a tribal assignment. We had a blanket laid out on the floor which represented the Tabernacle. Each student used chapters 1 & 2 of Numbers to find out where their tribe was stationed and how many members of their tribe there were. We all sat on the floor around the tabernacle during class today.
We had an opening prayer, and for our devotional, the students opened their scriptures to Numbers 6:23-27. They silently read these verses. Then, as we
listened to the Tabernacle Choir sing "May the Lord bless you and keep you", the students wrote down some of their thoughts and feelings about these verses in their journals.
We had a small discussion about what these verses meant to some of the students and discussed the very last verse as it says that the Lord will bless us as we take His name upon us. Each Sunday when we take the sacrament, we do these this. We discussed the importance which the weekly sacrament has for each of us.
As we moved on, we spent time in Numbers chapter 9. We looked at verses 7-8. In 7, some men ask Moses a technical question regarding the law. In verse 8, Moses tells them to stand still and listen to the Lord/prophet. We discussed how we do this - do we stand still and listen to the prophet? Do we take the time to listen to conference? To read the Ensign and New Era? Even our daily scriptures. Do we each take the time to stand still - and make time to read and listen and pay attention to the Lord through his prophets?
Later on in Chapter 9, v. 15+ we see that the Lord provided a pillar of fire and a cloud which when they physically moved, the children of Israel followed. Sometimes a year, sometimes more often. We discussed several aspects regarding the pillar of fire. Several of the students suggested that each one of us has our own pillar of fire which is the Holy Ghost. Just like they would follow it, we've been given the gift that when we are worthy, we too can follow the Lord, and are led and guided by Him. Additionally, some of the young men thought that this could also represent the priesthood... when we follow the priesthood (our leaders) we are following the Lord.
We discussed the important lesson that the Lord is teaching here- the importance of following Him...even at 3:00 am... or 6:00 am, or whenever it might be.
Following this discussion, we jumped to chapter 11 of Numbers. Here, the students found out what displeased the Lord, (complaining) and how He reacted (burned them). Moses interceded and asked it to stop. Then, (right after) they lusted after meat. They complained that they were sick and tired of eating the manna which the Lord had provided for them (whine whine whine). We noticed that this was almost the same story which we had read in Exodus 16...once again. We found out how Moses felt about it (v. 10) and what he asked the Lord to do (v. 14-15). He was so sick and tired of the whining. We discussed whether we thought that maybe our church leaders ever got tired of hearing complaining and whining or our not being willing to follow the commandments. We skipped to v. 33 and the final verses as we saw that the Lord did answer the people's prayers. He gave them so much that they were sick from it, and there was a great plague. We discussed that the Lord does answer our prayers, and that sometimes it is to our detriment when we are focused on the worldly things instead of the spiritual things. Finally, we went back and discussed the organization of the seventy - and how the second quorum of seventy was organized in our day in 1998. We discussed what Moses' reaction was when Meldad and Eldad were going around the camp prophesying. We ended class discussing these words of Moses as he responded "that everyman were a prophet".
As each of us have our personal pillar of fire - the Holy Ghost, prophecy comes through the Holy Ghost. 2 Pet 1:21 tells us this as does 1 Ne. 22:2. If we are worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us, it will guide us (lead us)and protect us, and we can know of future events and prophesy. The Lord would love us all to be that worthy and to all be in that station. If we will follow the Lord, he will bless and keep us.
As the students entered class today, each one was given a tribal assignment. We had a blanket laid out on the floor which represented the Tabernacle. Each student used chapters 1 & 2 of Numbers to find out where their tribe was stationed and how many members of their tribe there were. We all sat on the floor around the tabernacle during class today.
We had an opening prayer, and for our devotional, the students opened their scriptures to Numbers 6:23-27. They silently read these verses. Then, as we
listened to the Tabernacle Choir sing "May the Lord bless you and keep you", the students wrote down some of their thoughts and feelings about these verses in their journals.
We had a small discussion about what these verses meant to some of the students and discussed the very last verse as it says that the Lord will bless us as we take His name upon us. Each Sunday when we take the sacrament, we do these this. We discussed the importance which the weekly sacrament has for each of us.
As we moved on, we spent time in Numbers chapter 9. We looked at verses 7-8. In 7, some men ask Moses a technical question regarding the law. In verse 8, Moses tells them to stand still and listen to the Lord/prophet. We discussed how we do this - do we stand still and listen to the prophet? Do we take the time to listen to conference? To read the Ensign and New Era? Even our daily scriptures. Do we each take the time to stand still - and make time to read and listen and pay attention to the Lord through his prophets?
Later on in Chapter 9, v. 15+ we see that the Lord provided a pillar of fire and a cloud which when they physically moved, the children of Israel followed. Sometimes a year, sometimes more often. We discussed several aspects regarding the pillar of fire. Several of the students suggested that each one of us has our own pillar of fire which is the Holy Ghost. Just like they would follow it, we've been given the gift that when we are worthy, we too can follow the Lord, and are led and guided by Him. Additionally, some of the young men thought that this could also represent the priesthood... when we follow the priesthood (our leaders) we are following the Lord.
We discussed the important lesson that the Lord is teaching here- the importance of following Him...even at 3:00 am... or 6:00 am, or whenever it might be.
Following this discussion, we jumped to chapter 11 of Numbers. Here, the students found out what displeased the Lord, (complaining) and how He reacted (burned them). Moses interceded and asked it to stop. Then, (right after) they lusted after meat. They complained that they were sick and tired of eating the manna which the Lord had provided for them (whine whine whine). We noticed that this was almost the same story which we had read in Exodus 16...once again. We found out how Moses felt about it (v. 10) and what he asked the Lord to do (v. 14-15). He was so sick and tired of the whining. We discussed whether we thought that maybe our church leaders ever got tired of hearing complaining and whining or our not being willing to follow the commandments. We skipped to v. 33 and the final verses as we saw that the Lord did answer the people's prayers. He gave them so much that they were sick from it, and there was a great plague. We discussed that the Lord does answer our prayers, and that sometimes it is to our detriment when we are focused on the worldly things instead of the spiritual things. Finally, we went back and discussed the organization of the seventy - and how the second quorum of seventy was organized in our day in 1998. We discussed what Moses' reaction was when Meldad and Eldad were going around the camp prophesying. We ended class discussing these words of Moses as he responded "that everyman were a prophet".
As each of us have our personal pillar of fire - the Holy Ghost, prophecy comes through the Holy Ghost. 2 Pet 1:21 tells us this as does 1 Ne. 22:2. If we are worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us, it will guide us (lead us)and protect us, and we can know of future events and prophesy. The Lord would love us all to be that worthy and to all be in that station. If we will follow the Lord, he will bless and keep us.
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