This blogpost features some ideas for teaching a lesson on spiritual gifts and a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for May 12-18, which includes D&C 46-48. Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.
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SPIRITUAL GIFTS LESSON IDEAS
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OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY (super meaningful, but will take extra work):
If you feel so inspired and have given yourself enough time, contact the parents of each of your students and ask them to let you know what some of your students' spiritual gifts are. Create a list for each student, adding some of your own observances and present it to them at the end of the lesson. Present it to them with reverence and a moment of quiet reflection to read through it. Encourage them to keep the list to themselves and challenge them to tape it into their journals when they get home and to add their own thoughts and reflections on them.
{NOTE: be extra sensitive to those with non-member or less engaged parents. If you have a parent that doesn't respond...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't exclude that student or make them feel "less than" in any way. Add your own observances, counsel with other youth leaders...do whatever it takes to add authentic gifts to every person's list and distribute it with the rest.)
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What traits did you inherit from your parents?
I'm a firm believer in having at least one question during every lesson that everyone can answer uniquely and without stress and this one is perfect for that. I usually tell them from the time I pose the question that I'm going to go in a circle and allow everyone the chance to answer, so they have a chance to think about it. Engage them as they go and allow everyone to answer (being sensitive to those who may be adopted). Let this be a catalyst to start talking about how we inherit physical traits from our earthly parents and how spiritual gifts come from our Heavenly Parents (the next quote would be a good segue to make that transition).
QUOTE:
"Because we are the spiritual offspring of God, and indeed by virtue of our very existence, each of us possesses a portion of that element which is variously identified in the scriptures as intelligence, light, truth, spirit, life, law, power, glory, knowledge, etc.—the light which “proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space … which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne.” (D&C 88:12, 13.) This light gives life to our physical bodies and enables us to discern between good and evil and to make intelligent choices as we interact with others of our Father’s children and perform our work upon the earth." (LINK)
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QUESTIONS TO ASK: Don't rush to fill the silence when you ask a question. I am totally the kind of person who needs a little time to gather my thoughts before speaking up in a class and I feel like a lot of teachers get uncomfortable when no one speaks up in 10 seconds or less. Just wait. Silence is not just okay, but you'll often get more thoughtful responses than if you hurried forward.
What are spiritual gifts? -
"Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities that are given by the power of the Holy Ghost. As children of Heavenly Father, we all have spiritual gifts. God gives us these gifts so that we can serve others and help build His kingdom. He has commanded us to diligently seek out and develop our spiritual gifts." SOURCE HERE
"In the most basic sense any increase in light that an individual
experiences may be regarded as a spiritual gift—or a gift or free
offering of the Spirit." (LINK)
What are some examples of spiritual gifts?
There are some great ones listed in the scriptures below and some more unusual ones listed in this page on the church website.
How can we learn to recognize our spiritual gifts?
This would be a great time to share a personal experience about discovering a spiritual gift that you've recognized in your life. In my own life, I would share of the time when I was called to be a RS president in my BYU YSA ward and felt like I was blessed to be able to remember faces and names far better than I ever could before or since. It was definitely a spiritual gift for a specific time and role in my life.
"We can recognize our spiritual gifts as we “reference our patriarchal
blessing, ask those who know us best, and personally identify what we
are naturally good at and enjoy. Most important, we can ask God.” As we discover the gifts Heavenly Father has given us, we can come to know Him and ourselves better." (SOURCE)
What can we do with our spiritual gifts once we recognize one in our life?
"According to scripture, the ultimate purpose of our spiritual gifts is
to draw us to Jesus Christ and to make this mortal sojourn a little
easier for our brothers and sisters—“for the benefit of the children of
God” and for “the edifying of the church”." (SOURCE)
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SCRIPTURES:
1 Corinthians 12:8-10
"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:"
Moroni 10:9-16
Doctrine and Covenants 46:13-26
" To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby. To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful. And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men. And again, it is given by the Holy Ghost to some to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God, that the manifestations of the Spirit may be given to every man to profit withal. And again, verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom. To another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge. And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed; And to others it is given to have faith to heal. And again, to some is given the working of miracles; And to others it is given to prophesy; And to others the discerning of spirits. And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues; And to another is given the interpretation of tongues. And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God."
Article of Faith #7--
“We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.”
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STUDY RESOURCES:
How to Receive Spiritual Gifts
Gifts of the Spirit Study Guide
4 Questions and Answers about Spiritual Gifts
Gospel Principles on Gifts of the Spirit
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ACTIVITY SHEET:
These sheets are designed to be printed double-sided and cut in half. They make for a good review or intro to the CFM material for the week.
HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ORIGINAL ACTIVITY PAGE (in case it's not showing below)
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Be sure to bookmark this website and come back every week for a new Come, Follow Me blogpost!
Enjoy learning the gospel together!
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