Mosiah 18-24 Lesson Help for LDS Come Follow Me Youth Teachers + Free Canva Template
- May 20, 2024
- 25 min read
Updated: May 27, 2024
Quick Summaries:
Mosiah 18: Alma, one of King Noah's priests who believes the teachings of the prophet Abinadi, secretly preaches to the people. He teaches them about repentance, faith, and baptism. Alma baptizes many converts in the waters of Mormon, forming a church. He organizes the church with priests and teachers, and the people live in unity and righteousness. However, King Noah discovers their activities, and Alma and his followers flee into the wilderness to escape persecution.
Mosiah 19: After Alma and his followers flee, dissent arises among King Noah's people. Gideon, a strong man, attempts to kill King Noah but is interrupted by an attack from the Lamanites. The people of King Noah flee, but King Noah commands them to abandon their families to escape more quickly. Some of the men, angry at Noah's cowardice, burn him at the stake. Noah's son, Limhi, becomes king and negotiates a peace treaty with the Lamanites, although they remain in bondage and are heavily taxed.
Mosiah 20: The daughters of the Lamanites are abducted by some of King Noah's priests who had fled into the wilderness. The Lamanites accuse Limhi's people of the abduction and prepare to attack them. Gideon, a Nephite leader, persuades the Lamanite king that the Nephites are innocent. The Lamanite king investigates and confirms that Noah's priests are the culprits, and the attack is averted. Peace is temporarily restored, but the people remain in bondage.
Mosiah 21: The people of Limhi suffer under Lamanite oppression and attempt several times to free themselves through battle but fail each time. They repent and turn to the Lord, seeking deliverance. Limhi sends a group to search for help and they discover the ruins of the Jaredite civilization, finding a set of records. Eventually, Ammon and his group from Zarahemla find Limhi's people and devise a plan to escape from the Lamanites.
Mosiah 22: With Ammon's guidance, Limhi and his people execute a plan to escape bondage. They get the Lamanite guards drunk and sneak out at night, taking their families and flocks with them. They journey to Zarahemla and are warmly received by King Mosiah and his people. Limhi's people unite with the Nephites and are grateful for their deliverance.
Mosiah 23: Meanwhile, Alma and his followers establish a community in the land of Helam, living peacefully and prosperously. However, they are eventually discovered by the Lamanites, who have been searching for the priests of King Noah. The Lamanites place Alma and his people in bondage, with one of Noah's priests, Amulon, appointed as their taskmaster. Despite their afflictions, Alma and his people remain faithful and continue to pray for deliverance.
Mosiah 24: The Lord hears the prayers of Alma and his people, strengthening them to bear their burdens with patience. He eventually provides a way for them to escape. The people of Alma flee into the wilderness at night, guided by the Lord, and safely reach Zarahemla. They join the Nephites and rejoice in their deliverance, giving thanks to God for their freedom.
In these chapters, the narrative covers the experiences of two groups of Nephites—Limhi's people and Alma's people—as they endure bondage, turn to the Lord, and are ultimately delivered and reunited with the main body of the Nephites in Zarahemla. The stories highlight themes of faith, repentance, and divine deliverance.
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When I am baptized, I make a covenant with God.
Reflective Questions
Understanding Covenants: What does it mean to you to make a covenant with God through baptism? How does this covenant shape your daily life and decisions?
Personal Experience: Can you share a personal experience where you felt the significance of your baptismal covenant in a particular situation?
Symbolism of Baptism: What symbols are associated with baptism, and what do they represent about your relationship with God?
Group Discussion Questions
Community and Baptism: How does being part of a community of believers who have also made the baptismal covenant strengthen your faith and commitment?
Renewing Covenants: In what ways can we renew and remember our baptismal covenants in our everyday lives?
Living the Covenant: How can we support each other in living the promises we made at baptism, especially during challenging times?
Deep Dive Questions
Scriptural Insights: What do Mosiah 18-24 teach us about the importance and impact of baptismal covenants in the lives of Alma's people?
Role of the Holy Ghost: How does receiving the Holy Ghost after baptism help us fulfill our covenant with God?
Promises and Blessings: What specific promises do we make to God at baptism, and what blessings does He promise in return?
Personal Reflection Questions
Commitment and Change: How has your commitment to your baptismal covenant influenced your personal growth and spiritual development?
Challenges and Covenants: What are some challenges you face in keeping your baptismal covenant, and how do you overcome them?
Daily Reminders: What daily practices or habits help you remember and honor your baptismal covenant?
Action-Oriented Questions
Living the Covenant: What are some specific actions you can take to better live your baptismal covenant in your interactions with others?
Service and Commitment: How does serving others relate to the covenant you made at baptism?
Sharing Your Faith: How can you share the significance of your baptismal covenant with friends or family who may not understand its importance?
Application to Modern Life
Modern Relevance: How can the principles taught in Mosiah 18-24 about baptism and covenants be applied to challenges we face today?
Community Support: In what ways can your church community help you uphold your baptismal covenant in modern times?
Spiritual Renewal: How can regular participation in church activities, such as the sacrament, help you renew and strengthen your commitment to your baptismal covenant?
Journal Prompts
Reflect on Your Baptism: Write about your baptism day. What were your feelings and thoughts, and how have those feelings evolved over time?
Covenant Keeping: Describe a recent experience where you felt you were living up to your baptismal covenant. What did you learn from this experience?
Daily Commitment: Write a plan on how you will strive to remember and keep your baptismal covenant daily, including specific actions you will take.
Object Lessons and Activities:
Object Lesson: "The Clean Slate"
Materials: Whiteboard and marker, eraser
Procedure: Write some negative words or sins on the whiteboard. Discuss how baptism is like using the eraser to wipe the slate clean, symbolizing the washing away of our sins and starting anew with a covenant to follow God.
Activity: "Covenant Bracelet"
Materials: Beads and string
Procedure: Have participants create a bracelet with beads representing different aspects of the baptismal covenant (e.g., one bead for taking Christ's name, one for always remembering Him, one for keeping His commandments). As they string each bead, discuss what each aspect means and how they can live it.
Object Lesson: "The Path to God"
Materials: Paper, markers, tape
Procedure: Create a simple path on the floor with paper, representing the covenant path. Place markers at different points with words like "Faith," "Repentance," "Baptism," and "Holy Ghost." Discuss each step and its significance in the covenant we make with God during baptism.
Activity: "Baptismal Promises Role-Play"
Procedure: Have participants role-play scenarios where they demonstrate how they can live their baptismal promises in everyday life. Scenarios can include helping others, making righteous choices, and remembering Christ.
Object Lesson: "The Gift of the Holy Ghost"
Materials: Wrapped gift box
Procedure: Show a wrapped gift box and discuss how baptism is like receiving a precious gift. Inside the box, place a small card with the words "Holy Ghost." Open the gift and explain how the Holy Ghost is a companion and guide given to us as part of our baptismal covenant.
Activity: "Living the Covenant Collage"
Materials: Magazines, scissors, glue, poster board
Procedure: Have participants create a collage of images and words from magazines that represent how they can live their baptismal covenant. Discuss how these actions show their commitment to God.
Object Lesson: "The Armor of God"
Materials: Various pieces of armor (paper cutouts or actual costume pieces)
Procedure: Discuss how baptism is like putting on the armor of God. Each piece of armor can represent a part of the baptismal covenant (e.g., helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness). Have participants wear or place each piece on a cutout figure as you discuss its significance.
Activity: "Covenant Tree"
Materials: Paper tree, leaves cutouts, markers
Procedure: Create a paper tree and have participants write ways they can keep their baptismal covenants on the leaves cutouts. Attach the leaves to the tree and discuss how each action helps the tree (their faith) grow stronger.
Object Lesson: "Cleansing Water"
Materials: Dirty and clean water, clear containers, small strainer
Procedure: Show how dirty water can be cleansed by pouring it through a strainer into a clean container. Discuss how baptism cleanses us from sin and makes us clean before God.
Activity: "Baptismal Covenant Promise Cards"
Materials: Index cards, markers
Procedure: Have participants write down their personal commitments to live their baptismal covenant on index cards. They can decorate the cards and keep them as a reminder of their promises to God.
Parable: The King's Pledge
In a prosperous kingdom, there was a tradition that when a young noble reached a certain age, they would be invited to take a special pledge before the king. This pledge was a sacred ceremony where the young noble promised to serve the kingdom faithfully, protect its people, and uphold the values and laws of the land. In return, the king promised to support them, guide them, and provide for their needs.
One day, a young noble named Eliana stood before the king to take her pledge. As she placed her hand over her heart and repeated the solemn words, she felt a profound sense of commitment and purpose. From that day forward, Eliana's actions were guided by the promise she had made. She found strength in knowing that the king was always there to support her, and she worked tirelessly to fulfill her part of the covenant.
In this parable, the young noble's pledge represents the covenant we make with God at baptism. Just as Eliana committed to serving the kingdom and received the king's support, when we are baptized, we promise to follow God's commandments and serve Him. In return, God promises to guide us, bless us, and be with us always.
Analogy: The Journey's Charter
Imagine preparing for a long and challenging journey through a vast and varied landscape. Before setting out, you receive a special charter from the leader of the expedition. This charter outlines your responsibilities, the path you should follow, and the support you will receive along the way. By signing the charter, you agree to follow the leader's guidance, help your fellow travelers, and stay true to the mission of the journey.
As you travel, you encounter difficult terrain and obstacles, but you also find moments of great beauty and joy. Throughout the journey, the charter serves as a reminder of your commitment and the promises made to you. You find strength and encouragement in knowing that the leader is with you, providing direction and support.
This analogy illustrates the covenant of baptism. The journey represents our life and spiritual path, and the charter symbolizes the covenant we make with God. By being baptized, we agree to follow God's commandments and serve Him, much like signing the charter. In return, God promises to guide us, bless us, and help us navigate the challenges we face.
Both the parable and the analogy emphasize the reciprocal nature of the covenant made at baptism, highlighting the commitments we make to God and the divine support and blessings we receive in return.
God commands His people to gather, organize, and be united.
Reflective Questions
Purpose of Gathering: Why do you think God commands His people to gather and be united? How does this impact our spiritual growth?
Personal Experience: Can you share a time when you felt the strength and support of a united community of believers?
Challenges to Unity: What are some common challenges that can prevent unity within a church community, and how can they be overcome?
Group Discussion Questions
Significance of Organization: In Mosiah 18-24, how did Alma organize the church, and what can we learn from his example about the importance of structure and organization in our own communities?
Unity in Diversity: How can we embrace diversity within our church community while striving for unity? What role does respect and understanding play in this process?
Collective Strength: How does being part of an organized, united group help us face trials and tribulations more effectively?
Deep Dive Questions
Scriptural Analysis: What specific actions did Alma take to gather and organize the people? How did these actions foster unity among them?
Role of Leadership: How does effective leadership contribute to the unity and organization of a community? What qualities did Alma exhibit as a leader?
Covenantal Unity: How does the covenant made at baptism relate to the call for unity and organization among God’s people?
Personal Reflection Questions
Your Role in Unity: How can you contribute to the unity and organization of your church community? What specific actions can you take?
United Purpose: Reflect on a goal or mission that your church community is working towards. How does participating in this goal strengthen your sense of unity and purpose?
Gathering Together: What personal benefits have you experienced from gathering regularly with your church community?
Action-Oriented Questions
Building Unity: What are some practical ways you can help foster unity within your church or community group this week?
Serving Together: How can engaging in service projects with your church community strengthen bonds and promote unity?
Encouraging Participation: How can you encourage others to get involved and feel a sense of belonging within the organized body of the church?
Application to Modern Life
Modern Gathering: How can we use modern technology and communication tools to help gather and unite God’s people in today’s world?
Community Support: In what ways can your church community better support its members in times of need, reflecting the unity described in Mosiah 18-24?
Organizing Efforts: What are some effective methods for organizing community activities or events that promote unity and spiritual growth?
Journal Prompts
Experience of Unity: Write about a memorable experience where you felt united with your church community. What made this experience special?
Role in Community: Reflect on your role within your church community. How can you be a more active participant in fostering unity and organization?
Plan for Unity: Create a plan outlining steps you will take to help promote unity within your church or community group. Include specific actions and goals.
Object Lessons and Activities:
Object Lesson: "The Strength of Unity"
Materials: A bundle of sticks
Procedure: Show how easy it is to break a single stick, but when you try to break a bundle of sticks together, it's much harder. Discuss how this demonstrates the strength and protection that comes from being united as God’s people.
Activity: "Team Puzzle Assembly"
Materials: Puzzle pieces
Procedure: Give each participant a few pieces of a puzzle and have them work together to complete it. Emphasize the importance of each piece (person) and how working together (being united) allows them to achieve a common goal.
Object Lesson: "The Body of Christ"
Materials: Drawing of a body with detachable parts (like a puzzle)
Procedure: Show how the body is made up of different parts that need to work together. Detach the parts and try to function without one. Discuss how each member of the community has a role and how they need to be united to function properly.
Activity: "Building a Structure Together"
Materials: Building blocks or LEGO sets
Procedure: Divide the participants into groups and give each group some building materials. Have them create a structure together. Afterward, discuss the importance of organization and unity in building something strong and functional.
Object Lesson: "The Power of Organization"
Materials: A jar, rocks, pebbles, sand, and water
Procedure: Demonstrate how you can fit rocks, pebbles, sand, and water into a jar when placed in the right order. Compare this to how organizing and prioritizing in a community helps everyone fit and function better together.
Activity: "Unity in Service"
Materials: Various service project materials
Procedure: Plan a small service project that requires everyone’s participation (e.g., assembling care packages). Discuss how working together in service helps unite people and fulfill God's command to be organized and gather in efforts to help others.
Object Lesson: "The Tapestry of Community"
Materials: Different colored threads and a piece of fabric
Procedure: Show how individual threads are woven together to create a beautiful tapestry. Discuss how each person’s contributions are important and how unity creates something beautiful and strong.
Activity: "Trust Walk"
Materials: Blindfolds
Procedure: Pair participants and have one blindfolded while the other guides them through a simple obstacle course. This activity emphasizes trust, cooperation, and the need to work together, mirroring the unity required in a community.
Object Lesson: "The Harmony of a Choir"
Materials: None (use voices)
Procedure: Have participants sing a simple song together, first with everyone singing different notes out of sync, and then singing in harmony. Discuss how unity and organization (singing in harmony) make the song beautiful, just as unity makes a community strong and effective.
Activity: "United We Stand"
Materials: Rope for tug-of-war
Procedure: Conduct a tug-of-war game where one team is much smaller than the other. Highlight the importance of being united and how having everyone gathered together strengthens the group, just as unity among God’s people makes them stronger.
Parable: The Weaver's Tapestry
In a small village, there was a renowned weaver named Elara. Elara was known for creating the most beautiful and intricate tapestries anyone had ever seen. Her secret was not only her skill but the way she organized the village weavers to work together. Each weaver had a specific thread color and pattern to contribute, and only by working together could they create the magnificent tapestries.
One day, Elara received a vision of a grand tapestry that would depict the history and future of their village. She gathered all the weavers and shared her vision, explaining that this tapestry would require everyone’s effort and unity. The weavers agreed to follow her instructions and work together.
As they worked, each weaver brought their unique skill and thread to the loom. Alone, their contributions were simple and unremarkable, but together, under Elara's guidance, they created a tapestry that was breathtaking and powerful, telling the story of their unity and shared purpose.
This parable illustrates how God commands His people to gather, organize, and be united. Just as the weavers' individual threads came together to create a beautiful tapestry, when God's people gather and unite, they can achieve great things and fulfill His purposes.
Analogy: The Lighthouse Coalition
Imagine a coastline dotted with many small, independent lighthouses. Each lighthouse operates alone, providing light and guidance to passing ships in its immediate vicinity. However, because they are not coordinated, their efforts are often insufficient to guide ships safely through the entire coastal region, especially during storms.
One day, a great leader visits the region and proposes a plan: to connect all the lighthouses into a single, coordinated system. This leader asks the lighthouse keepers to gather and form a coalition, sharing resources, knowledge, and a unified plan to keep the ships safe.
By following the leader’s instructions, the lighthouse keepers begin to work together, aligning their lights to cover the entire coastline seamlessly. They organize their efforts, ensuring that no part of the coast is left in darkness. As a result, the ships are able to navigate safely, even through the fiercest storms, because of the united and organized effort of the lighthouse coalition.
This analogy represents how God commands His people to gather, organize, and be united. Like the lighthouses working independently, individual efforts are important but limited. When God’s people unite and organize under His direction, they can provide greater guidance, support, and protection for one another and fulfill His divine purposes more effectively.
God helps me carry my burdens.
Reflective Questions
Personal Burdens: Can you share a time when you felt overwhelmed by burdens and how you experienced God's help during that time?
Recognizing Help: In what ways can you recognize God's assistance in your daily life, especially when dealing with challenges?
Scriptural Examples: How do the stories in Mosiah 18-24 illustrate God's willingness to help His people carry their burdens?
Group Discussion Questions
Alma’s People: How did God help Alma and his people carry their burdens while they were in bondage? What lessons can we learn from their experience?
Role of Faith: How does faith in God enable us to bear our burdens more effectively? Can you think of other scriptural examples where faith played a key role in overcoming challenges?
Community Support: How can the support of a faith community help lighten individual burdens? What are some practical ways we can support each other?
Deep Dive Questions
Divine Intervention: What specific actions did God take to assist the people of Alma when they were burdened by the oppression of the Lamanites?
Preparation for Deliverance: How did Alma and his people prepare themselves spiritually to receive God’s help? What can we learn from their preparation and reliance on the Lord?
Parallel Stories: Compare the experiences of Alma’s people with those of other groups in the scriptures who received divine help in times of trial. What common themes do you notice?
Personal Reflection Questions
Your Burdens: Reflect on your current burdens. How can you invite God to help you carry them? What specific steps can you take to seek His assistance?
Gratitude for Help: Think about past burdens that you have successfully carried with God’s help. How can you express gratitude for His assistance?
Strength in Trials: How have your burdens and the experience of carrying them with God’s help strengthened your faith and character?
Action-Oriented Questions
Seeking Help: What specific prayers or actions can you take this week to seek God's help with your burdens?
Helping Others: How can you be an instrument in God’s hands to help others carry their burdens? Identify someone you can support and make a plan to assist them.
Strengthening Faith: What are some ways you can strengthen your faith in God’s ability to help you with your burdens?
Application to Modern Life
Modern Challenges: How can the principles found in Mosiah 18-24 be applied to modern-day challenges and burdens, such as work stress, family responsibilities, or personal struggles?
Divine Assistance: In what ways can you more actively seek and recognize divine assistance in your daily life?
Community Building: How can you contribute to building a community that supports its members in carrying their burdens?
Journal Prompts
God’s Help: Write about a time when you felt God helped you carry a significant burden. How did this experience impact your faith?
Personal Prayer: Reflect on your personal prayers and how you ask for God’s help. How can you improve your communication with God regarding your burdens?
Faith in Action: Plan and document steps you will take to rely more on God to help you carry your burdens. Include how you will seek His guidance and recognize His hand in your life.
Object Lessons and Activities:
Object Lesson: "The Backpack of Burdens"
Materials: Backpack, heavy books or weights
Procedure: Fill a backpack with heavy books or weights and have a volunteer carry it. Then, have another person help carry the backpack with them. Discuss how burdens are lighter when shared and how God helps us carry our burdens.
Activity: "Burden Relay"
Materials: Various heavy objects, markers, and paper
Procedure: Write different types of burdens (e.g., school stress, family issues) on pieces of paper and attach them to heavy objects. Have a relay race where each participant carries one burden at a time. After the race, discuss how working together and having faith can lighten our load.
Object Lesson: "The Supportive Team"
Materials: None
Procedure: Have participants stand in a circle and link arms. Ask one person to lean back and rely on the group to hold them up. Discuss how God and others support us when we lean on them for help.
Activity: "Lift Each Other Up"
Materials: None
Procedure: In pairs, have one person try to lift the other on their own. Then, have two people help lift one person. Discuss how God provides help through others and makes our burdens easier to bear.
Object Lesson: "Floating Burdens"
Materials: Bowl of water, paper, and rocks
Procedure: Write burdens on small pieces of paper and attach them to rocks. Place the rocks in a bowl of water and observe how they sink. Then, discuss how prayer and faith can help lift these burdens, and demonstrate by using a floating object to represent God's support.
Activity: "Helping Hands"
Materials: None
Procedure: Have participants form a line and pass a heavy object down the line using only one hand each. Then, allow them to use both hands. Discuss how having more support (using both hands) represents God’s assistance in our lives.
Object Lesson: "Balancing Burdens"
Materials: Balance scale, small weights
Procedure: Place weights on one side of a balance scale to represent burdens. Show how adding more weight (representing God’s help) to the other side brings it into balance. Discuss how God’s help keeps us balanced and stable.
Activity: "Prayer and Faith Chains"
Materials: Paper strips, markers, and tape
Procedure: Have participants write their burdens on paper strips and form a paper chain. Then, write "Prayer" and "Faith" on separate strips and link them into the chain. Discuss how prayer and faith strengthen us and help us carry our burdens.
Object Lesson: "The Yoke of Christ"
Materials: Wooden yoke or a sturdy stick with ropes
Procedure: Show how a yoke is used to help oxen share the load. Discuss Matthew 11:28-30 and how Christ's yoke makes our burdens light. Have participants try carrying a load with and without the yoke to feel the difference.
Activity: "Burden Sharing Exercise"
Materials: None
Procedure: Divide the participants into pairs. Have one person carry another on their back for a short distance. Then switch roles. Discuss how burdens are easier to bear when shared, just as God helps us carry our burdens.
Parable: The Village Water Bearer
In a small village nestled at the foot of a mountain, the villagers depended on a single stream for their water supply. Each day, they would carry heavy jars up and down the rocky path to bring water back to their homes. Among them was an elderly man named Aaron, who, despite his age, continued to make the journey every day.
One particularly hot day, Aaron found the journey more difficult than usual. His steps were slow, and his jar seemed heavier than ever. Halfway back to the village, he stumbled and fell, spilling all the water he had painstakingly carried. Feeling defeated, he sat down on a rock, too weary to continue.
As he sat there, a young man named Ben came by. Seeing Aaron’s plight, Ben offered to help. Aaron, hesitant at first, finally agreed. Ben not only helped him up but also took the heavy jar from Aaron’s hands and carried it for him. Together, they made their way back to the village, with Aaron leaning on Ben for support.
When they arrived, Aaron felt a profound sense of gratitude. Not only had Ben helped him physically, but his kindness had also lifted Aaron’s spirits. From that day on, Ben would often accompany Aaron, making the burden of carrying water much lighter.
This parable illustrates how God helps us carry our burdens. Just as Ben helped Aaron carry his heavy jar, God sends aid—through others or through divine intervention—to help us when our burdens seem too heavy to bear alone.
Analogy: The Backpacking Trip
Imagine you are on a long backpacking trip through a vast wilderness. The journey is challenging, with steep climbs and rough terrain. Your backpack is filled with all the supplies you need, making it quite heavy. As the days pass, the weight of the backpack begins to take its toll on your shoulders and back.
One day, as you struggle up a particularly steep hill, you meet a seasoned hiker named Chris. Chris notices your struggle and offers a suggestion: "Let me help you adjust your backpack. If we distribute the weight better, it will be easier to carry."
Chris helps you redistribute the weight inside your backpack, placing heavier items closer to your back and balancing the load more evenly. Chris also teaches you a few techniques to make carrying the backpack more comfortable. With the adjustments, you find the weight much more manageable, and your journey becomes less strenuous.
This analogy represents how God helps us carry our burdens. Like the seasoned hiker Chris, God knows how to ease our burdens by helping us adjust and balance the weight we carry. Through His guidance and support, our burdens become lighter, and we gain the strength to continue our journey.
Parable: The Farmer and His Ox
There was a farmer named Eli who worked his fields tirelessly. He had an old ox that had been his faithful companion for many years. As the seasons passed, the ox grew weaker and could no longer pull the heavy plow through the fields as it once did. Eli, seeing his ox struggle, felt a deep sense of compassion and worry.
One day, a neighbor named Samuel visited Eli and noticed the ox's struggle. Samuel said, "Eli, I have a younger, stronger ox. Let me lend him to you to help share the load."
Eli gratefully accepted the offer. Samuel brought his ox, and together, the two oxen pulled the plow through the fields. The stronger ox helped carry most of the weight, allowing the old ox to continue working without the same strain. Eli’s work was completed more efficiently, and his beloved old ox was spared undue hardship.
This parable shows how God helps us carry our burdens. Just as the stronger ox assisted the older one, God provides help and support to us when our burdens become too heavy to bear alone. He may send others to assist us or provide us with strength and resources to lighten our load, ensuring that we can continue our work and fulfill our responsibilities.
I can trust the Lord.
Reflective Questions
Trusting in Tough Times: Can you recall a time when trusting in the Lord helped you navigate a difficult situation? How did that experience shape your trust in Him?
Challenges to Trust: What are some common challenges or obstacles that make it difficult to trust in the Lord? How can we overcome these challenges?
Group Discussion Questions
Alma’s Example: In what ways did Alma demonstrate trust in the Lord during his leadership and interactions with his people? What lessons can we learn from his example?
Trusting Amid Uncertainty: How can we maintain trust in the Lord even when we face uncertainty or adversity? Share personal experiences or insights.
Building Trust: What practices or habits can help us build and strengthen our trust in the Lord over time? How can we encourage each other in this process?
Deep Dive Questions
Testing Trust: Reflecting on the trials faced by Alma and his people, how were they tested in their trust in the Lord? How did they respond to these tests?
Sustained Trust: Discuss examples from Mosiah 18-24 where individuals or groups consistently demonstrated trust in the Lord despite ongoing challenges. What can we learn from their perseverance?
Divine Promises: What promises does the Lord make to those who trust in Him, as evidenced in the scriptures and Alma's teachings? How can these promises provide comfort and assurance in our lives today?
Personal Reflection Questions
Current Trust Levels: On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you rate your current level of trust in the Lord? What factors contribute to this rating?
Trusting Through Prayer: How does prayer serve as a tool for building and expressing trust in the Lord? Consider your own prayer habits and attitudes toward trust.
Trusting in Action: Think of a specific area in your life where you struggle to trust the Lord completely. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in that area?
Action-Oriented Questions
Trusting Steps: Identify one practical step you can take this week to exercise and strengthen your trust in the Lord. Commit to implementing this step and share your progress with a trusted friend or family member.
Trusting Declarations: Write down a personal declaration or affirmation of trust in the Lord. Keep it in a visible place as a reminder to trust Him in all circumstances.
Trusting Testimony: Share your testimony of trust in the Lord with someone else, either in person or through a written message. Reflect on how sharing your testimony strengthens your own trust.
Application to Modern Life
Trust in Daily Challenges: How can you apply the principle of trusting in the Lord to specific challenges or decisions you are facing in your life right now?
Trusting Relationships: Reflect on how trust in the Lord can enhance your relationships with others, both within and outside your faith community.
Trusting in Uncertain Times: Discuss strategies for maintaining trust in the Lord during times of uncertainty or upheaval, such as global crises or personal setbacks.
Journal Prompts
Trusting Moments: Recall a moment when you felt a deep sense of trust in the Lord. Describe the circumstances and how this experience impacted you.
Trusting Through Trials: Reflect on a challenging time in your life when you struggled to trust in the Lord. How did you eventually find peace and reassurance?
Trusting Declarations: Write a letter or journal entry expressing your trust in the Lord and your commitment to rely on Him in all things.
Object Lessons and Activities:
Object Lesson: "The Blindfold Trust Walk"
Materials: Blindfolds
Procedure: Have participants pair up, with one person blindfolded and the other guiding them through an obstacle course or around the room. Discuss how trust is essential in following guidance, just as we trust the Lord to lead us in our lives.
Activity: "Trust Fall"
Materials: Open space
Procedure: Form pairs and have one person fall backward, trusting their partner to catch them. Discuss how trusting others requires vulnerability, just as trusting the Lord requires faith and openness.
Object Lesson: "The Puzzle of Trust"
Materials: Jigsaw puzzle
Procedure: Provide each participant with a piece of a puzzle without showing the complete picture. As they work together to complete the puzzle, discuss how trusting the Lord helps us understand His plan for us, even when we can't see the whole picture.
Activity: "Blind Drawing"
Materials: Paper, pens/pencils
Procedure: Have participants pair up, with one person blindfolded and the other guiding their hand to draw a simple picture. Discuss how trusting the Lord requires us to let go of control and rely on His guidance.
Object Lesson: "The Trust Rope"
Materials: Rope
Procedure: Have participants form a circle and hold onto a loop of rope. Ask them to close their eyes and trust that the person next to them will continue passing the rope around the circle without dropping it. Discuss how trusting in the Lord requires patience and reliance on His timing.
Activity: "Building Trust Towers"
Materials: Building blocks or LEGO bricks
Procedure: Divide participants into teams and provide them with materials to build towers. Encourage them to trust each other's ideas and contributions. Discuss how trusting the Lord involves building upon His teachings and guidance.
Object Lesson: "The Trust Fall of Faith"
Materials: None
Procedure: Demonstrate a trust fall, where you fall backward with your eyes closed and allow yourself to be caught by a willing participant. Discuss how faith in the Lord is like a trust fall, where we let go and trust that He will catch us.
Activity: "Trust Walk"
Materials: Blindfolds, open space
Procedure: Pair participants and have one person blindfolded while the other guides them through a walk outside. Discuss how trusting the Lord requires us to rely on His guidance, even when we can't see the path ahead.
Object Lesson: "The Trust Bridge"
Materials: Wooden plank or balance beam
Procedure: Set up a balance beam or plank on the ground and have participants walk across it while blindfolded. Discuss how trusting the Lord requires us to step out in faith, even when the path seems uncertain.
Activity: "Trust Testimonials"
Materials: None
Procedure: Have participants share personal experiences where they trusted the Lord and how He guided them. Encourage open and honest sharing to strengthen each other's faith in trusting the Lord.
Parable: The Steadfast Lighthouse
In a coastal village, there stood a lighthouse perched on a rugged cliff, its light shining brightly across the turbulent sea. The villagers relied on the lighthouse to guide their ships safely to shore, especially during storms and foggy nights. The lighthouse keeper, an old man named Elias, tended the light with unwavering dedication, knowing that many lives depended on its glow.
One stormy night, a young sailor named Jonah found himself caught in a fierce tempest. The waves crashed against his ship, and the winds threatened to tear it apart. As the storm raged on, Jonah remembered the lighthouse and the steadfast light that had always guided him home.
Despite the chaos around him, Jonah fixed his eyes on the distant light, trusting it to lead him safely to shore. As he navigated through the treacherous waters, the light never wavered, and eventually, Jonah's ship reached the safety of the harbor.
In this parable, the lighthouse represents the Lord, and the lighthouse keeper symbolizes God's constant care and guidance. The stormy sea represents the trials and challenges of life, and Jonah's trust in the lighthouse reflects our need to trust the Lord during difficult times.
The parable illustrates that, like the lighthouse guiding ships to safety, the Lord provides constant and unwavering guidance. By trusting in Him, we can navigate the storms of life and reach a place of safety and peace.
Analogy: The Trustworthy Bridge
Imagine a vast, deep canyon with a swift river flowing at its base. To cross the canyon, travelers must use a sturdy bridge built by master craftsmen. The bridge, though seemingly narrow, has been tested and proven to withstand the weight and passage of countless travelers over the years.
As a traveler approaches the bridge for the first time, they may feel apprehensive, questioning whether it can truly hold them. Yet, as they step onto the bridge and feel its solid structure beneath their feet, their confidence grows. With each step, they trust more in the craftsmanship and strength of the bridge, knowing it will carry them safely to the other side.
In this analogy, the bridge represents the Lord, who provides a sure and dependable path across the challenges and uncertainties of life. The traveler symbolizes each of us, and the act of stepping onto the bridge represents placing our trust in the Lord.
The analogy underscores that, just as a trustworthy bridge carries travelers safely across a canyon, the Lord supports and guides us through life's challenges. By placing our trust in Him, we can cross even the deepest and most daunting canyons with confidence and peace.
Parable: The Shepherd and His Flock
In a peaceful valley, a shepherd tended his flock of sheep, guiding them to green pastures and still waters. The shepherd knew each of his sheep by name and cared for them with great love and devotion. Whenever a sheep strayed from the path or found itself in danger, the shepherd would call out to it, and the sheep, recognizing the shepherd's voice, would return to his side.
One day, a lamb named Lily wandered away from the flock, drawn by the curiosity of exploring new surroundings. As night fell, Lily found herself lost and frightened in the dark. Remembering the shepherd's voice, she bleated loudly, hoping he would hear her.
The shepherd, always vigilant, heard Lily's cries and immediately set out to find her. He called out to her, and Lily, trusting the familiar voice, followed the sound until she was safely back in the shepherd's arms.
In this parable, the shepherd represents the Lord, and Lily symbolizes each of us as we navigate the uncertainties and temptations of life. The shepherd's voice represents God's guidance and reassurance, and Lily's trust in the shepherd highlights the importance of trusting the Lord.
The parable illustrates that, just as the shepherd cares for and guides his flock, the Lord watches over us with love and devotion. By trusting in Him, we can find our way back to safety and experience the peace and security that come from being in His care.
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