Sept. Master Class

Study/Learn

1 - Read: Jacob 6:12

2 - Read: “Uncle Tom's Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe.  Mark passages that you like and would like to remember.  You can get this book free in the public domain and can listen to an audio recording here... Uncle Tom's Cabin

Know/Understand

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Research the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe.  (See “Research the author” in the tool box on the main blog).  How has your interpretation of the book changed by knowing about the author?  Did it change your understanding at all?  Be prepared to share what you learned with the class.

• Choose a character from the book and do a Character T chart using quotes from your reading on how that character did or did not show wisdom.  If the character you chose was wise, list 5 things that you appreciated about their wisdom and how having wisdom affected their life.  If your character did not have wisdom, list 5 things that he/she could have done differently to be more wise or learn more wisdom in their life.

Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

• From a General Conference Address in April 1982 by Dwan J. Young who was then the General Primary President of the Church: "As we observe the process of natural growth, we become acutely aware of certain eternal principles upon which all growth is predicated. First, growth is the expected norm. It’s the divine challenge given to each soul as it enters mortality. Our Heavenly Father expects us to use the great gift of life to enjoy and to celebrate this central truth. Because we have life, we can grow and develop and do some things on earth we cannot do anywhere else...Only God’s children have the capacity to direct their own growth. This means that we can use this time on earth to bring optimum growth and development because we have the power to make choices. It’s not enough just to grow. Even the weeds and the biblical tares can do that. It is expected of us that we will shape our growth so that we will not be like Topsy (in Uncle Tom’s Cabin) who “just growed,” but rather we will successfully negotiate the bumps and curves by enlarging upon our talents, by disciplining ourselves, so that our mortal experience brings us toward greater and greater mastery of those characteristics which make us worthy of association with the Divine.  Intelligent observation tells us that growth comes one step at a time. The scriptures say precept upon precept, line upon line. (See D&C 98:12.)"

Think about your life.  Are you growing and progressing as a human being, or just growing?  In Luke 2:52 we learn that "...Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."  Evaluate yourself on these 4 areas: learning/wisdom, physical health, spirituality and social skills. Set a goal in each of these areas that you would like to work on and commit to work on those things this week.