SUGGESTED LESSON DEVELOPMENT
Summary
Class will begin with a discussion of the joy that comes from sharing the gospel, as exemplified by Ammon and Alma the Younger. The instructor and class members will briefly exchange positive member missionary experiences as a way to personalize this message and further invite the Spirit. The instructor will then lead an open, honest discussion about the obstacles that members face in sharing the gospel. The instructor will explain that the aim of the three-week course is to address such concerns by teaching correct principles of member missionary work. The lesson will conclude by sharing the Principle 1: We succeed when we invite.
Outline
1) Sharing the gospel brings joy (10 minutes)*
Examples from Book of Mormon (i.e., Ammon and Alma the Younger)
Personal missionary experiences
2) Sharing the gospel is daunting for many (15 minutes)
Discussion of concerns
Explanation of purpose of lessons (i.e., to address concerns)
3) How do we measure success as member missionaries? (10 minutes)
Principle 1: We succeed when we invite
Instructor’s Objectives
Lead lesson in a way that helps class members feel comfortable contributing, do not feel judged, and fosters open, honest dialogue about what hinders members in participating in sharing the gospel or having positive experiences as member missionaries
Teach first principle of member missionary work: We succeed when we invite.
Preparation and Materials
Read Alma chapters 26 and 29; assign a class member in advance to read Alma 26:16 and 29:16 during the lesson.
Reflect on a positive missionary experience you have had and be prepared to present it to the class (max 2 minutes).
Arrange for a room with a chalkboard; have chalk/eraser on hand.
LESSON
1. Sharing the gospel brings joy
One of the great messages of the Book of Mormon is that we can have joy in spite of life’s difficulties (2 Ne 2:25). In fact, many passages in the Book of Mormon describe in wonderful detail the joy that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Briefly mention the following examples, emphasizing the word ‘joy’ in the scriptures
Lehi, partaking of fruit of tree in vision of tree of life (1 Ne 8:12)
“the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy” (fruit of love of God).
People at time of Christ’s coming (3 Ne 17:17-18)
“and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father…so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome.”
Alma the Younger when he received forgiveness for his sins (Alma 36:20-21)
“And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!”
A very poignant example of joy in the Book of Mormon is found in the account of Ammon and Alma the Younger as they labored as missionaries among the Lamanites. Ammon experienced such overwhelming joy in sharing the gospel that he fainted on more than one occasion (Alma 19:14; 27:17)! In Alma chapter 26, in particular, Ammon carries on about his joy and gratitude for being able to serve as a missionary, using the word ‘joy’ eight times and the word ‘rejoice’ 7 times.
Have a member of the class read the following passages
Alma 26:16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
Alma 29:16 Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.
Whether as full-time missionaries or member missionaries, we have the opportunity to experience the same kind of joy that Ammon and Alma speak of as we fulfill our obligation to share the gospel with others.
Share a positive missionary experience that you have had; encourage one or two members of the class to share positive missionary experiences as well. Tactfully encourage brevity.
2. Sharing the gospel is daunting for many
Sharing the gospel seems to come naturally to some members. However, many find member missionary work uncomfortable, time-consuming, and even frustrating and are hesitant to get involved.
Ask the class why this is the case. Set the stage for an honest, open discussion about obstacles in participating in member missionary work. Encourage class members to share their own concerns or concerns of others that they are aware of. Emphasize that the spirit of the discussion is intended to be constructive rather than judgmental.
Write responses on the chalkboard. Ask a class member to write the concerns down on paper so that you can refer to them in subsequent lessons.
The following are possible comments. You may mention some of these if class members seem reluctant to share concerns to stimulate the discussion (e.g., What about the fear of insincerity?).
Fear of failure
Fear of rejection
Negative experiences
Shyness
Fear of insincerity
Feel like you’re “selling something”
Don’t want to come off as pushy
Inadequate missionary skills (don’t know what to say)
Uncomfortable talking about religion
Don’t have sufficient gospel knowledge
Time-consuming
Overwhelmed with current Church calling/responsibilities
Don’t want to strain relationships with family members or friends
Friends/acquaintances don’t appear to “need” the gospel
Friends/acquaintances happy with own church
Don’t have many or any friends who are not LDS
Friends/acquaintances do not believe in God
Friends/acquaintances are not religious types
Not appropriate to discuss religion at work
Thank class members for honest and active participation in discussion.
The aim of this three-week course is to address these concerns by teaching correct principles of member missionary work. Applying these principles in your missionary efforts will enable you to have positive, empowering experiences and feel the joy that Ammon and Alma the Younger spoke of. We will conclude this lesson by discussing the first principle of member missionary, which addresses a common concern, the fear of failure.
3. How do we measure success as member missionaries?
Statistically, about five of every ten people that members of the church refer to missionaries end up taking one or more missionary discussions. And of those five who take a discussion, one is baptized.1
Ask the following question:
Do these statistics mean that for every member who successfully refers someone who gets baptized, there are nine other members who failed as member missionaries?
This is an important question, because one factor that intimidates many members from being missionaries is, as just mentioned, the fear of failure. The answer, of course, is that the nine do not fail. We succeed as member missionaries when we invite people to learn about and accept the truth.
|
Principle 1: We succeed when we invite |
God did not give the free agency of other people to us – He gave it to them. When we decide not to share the gospel with others, we are depriving them of their agency to choose. When we give them the opportunity to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ more deeply, we give them a chance to exercise the agency that God gave them. It is our responsibility to invite, and their responsibility to accept.
Ask the class what difference it makes to them to know that they succeed when they invite, regardless of the outcome.
When or if those we invite will ever enter the waters of baptism, if they will simply have a discussion with us or the missionaries about the truths of eternity, they have taken a step along the path of their own eternal progression and made some important initial correct choices. Once we realize that we succeed as member missionaries when we invite people to learn and accept the truth, much of the fear that kept us from sharing the gospel is gone.
Close the lesson by bearing testimony of the things that have been taught.
* Suggested time allotment
1 This data has been collected by Clayton Christensen for the ten stakes in New England, for the years 2002-2003.