September 2015 Apprentice Class

APPRENTICE: Having a Listening Heart & a Heart Led by God

Study/Learn

1 - Read "dear friend" or the intro (different printings have one or the other) and chapters 1, 4, & 5 in "Just Like Jesus" by Max Lucado.  

2 - Read the book "On Wings of Faith" by Frederick Babbel.  As you read, make a list of instances where people heard and were led by God.

3 - Read Doctrine & Covenants 1:5

4 - Read the article "An Unspeakable Gift from God" by Elder Craig C. Christensen

5 - Copy this month's memorization (scripture and part of "The Family") onto note cards and study them every day.  You can find this month's memorization on the main page of the blog.

Know/Understand

Choose 1 of the following:

• Sis. Julie B. Beck, (General President of the Relief Society from 2007-2012) said:  “The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life.”  Read this quote 5 times, really internalize it.  Do you agree or disagree?  Ponder and then journal for 15 minutes on whether you agree or disagree.  Come prepared to class to defend your position.  If you agree, make a list of 5 things you can do to more effectively hear and act on promptings from the Holy Ghost.  If you disagree, write a paragraph about what you think is "the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life".

• There are many stories and miracles told in "On Wings of Faith".  Choose your favorite one and ponder on why you liked it so much.  Come to class with a visual representing the story or miracle and tell the class the story and why it's your favorite and what you learned from it.

• Do a hero study on Pres. Ezra Taft Benson.  As you learn about him, choose 3 character traits that he possessed that you would like to posses and set 2 goals for each one that will help you build those traits into your character.  Come to class ready to share.

• If you don't already have one, find a place that can be your special, quiet, scripture-reading-spending-time-with-God place.  Maybe it's your bed, maybe it's outside.  But find a place where you can regularly read your scriptures and spend time listening to God.  Organize that place if it is messy and make it beautiful, peaceful and inviting.  Set a goal to spend 30 minutes each day this week in this space with God.  Read the scriptures and listen to what He has to say to you.  

Become/Serve

This week, carry around a small notebook with you everywhere you go.  Each time you feel a prompting from the Holy Ghost, write it down.  Write them all down, no matter how insignificant they may seem.  Leave a blank space after each entry.  At a later time record in the blank space whether you obeyed the prompting or not and the results of your obedience (or disobedience).   As you do this you will start to notice a pattern and will start to recognize how the Spirit speaks to you.