January Apprentice Class

January Apprentice Class

Study/Learn

1 - Read: “21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” Chapter 6: Courage

2 - Read: “The Young Traveler's Gift” Chapter 5: I am a person of action

3 – Read: Psalm 31:24

4 - Do a Hero Study.  Instructions found in the tool box.

5 - Read the article "Be Strong and of a Good Courage" by Pres. Thomas S. Monson.  Mark quotes you like and try to find principles.

6 - Read: “Call it Courage” by Armstrong Sperry
Chapters 1-2.


Know/Understand
(Choose 1 of the following)

- There are many quotes in the chapter from "21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader”.  Choose one of them that you really like.  Do you agree or disagree with this quote?  Write a paragraph about why you like this quote so much and why you agree or disagree with it.  Write about how this quote can motivate you in your life and make you a better person.  Decide on 3 things you can do to better live what is taught in the quote and write them down.  Be prepared to share with the class.

- In our scripture (Psalm 31:24) it talks about hope.  What does hope have to do with courage?  Do a word study on "hope" if that will help you.  Write a paragraph on what hope means to you and how it can help you have more courage.

 - Choose 2 of the principles that you found in the article by Pres. Monson.  Re write them in the "if...then..." format.  Make a list of 3 actions for each principle that you could take to more fully live that principle.  For example: A principle could be in Helaman 3:27 we read: "Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name."  So we can rewrite the principle to be "If I call upon God's name with sincerity of heart, the Lord will be merciful to me."  The three things that I can do to better "call upon God's name" will be 1) make a habit of saying morning and evening personal prayers, 2) encourage my family to have family prayer each day, 3) really think about my prayers as I'm saying them and truly talk to God, not just rattle off the same things I say every time.  Be prepared to share with the class.

- Write a poem about courage and what it means to you that you can share with the class.

- Draw or paint a picture of someone from history or from the scriptures in the act of showing great courage.  Come prepared to share with the class why you chose that person and show us what you painted or drew.


Become/Serve

In the article we read by Pres. Monson, we read:

"Courage comes in many forms. Wrote the Christian author Charles Swindoll: “Courage is not limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.” I would add that this inner courage also includes doing the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a loss of friends or of social status. He who stands steadfastly for that which is right must risk becoming at times disapproved and unpopular."

Think of a time in your life when you have done a "quiet act of courage" like one of the things Pres. Monson listed above.  Think about what made you brave.  What was at stake and why did you choose to have courage?  What was the result?  Write about this experience in your journal.

January Journeyman Class

January Journeyman Class

“What is the answer to the dilemma that surrounds us?  The answer is to love our Founders, our country, our founding document, and the God that gave them to us.  We must teach that love to our children, pray for our leaders and plead for help.  The answer is to get involved.” 

- Pam Openshaw, author of “Promises of the Constitution”

Study/Learn

1 – Read: “Promises of the Constitution.”  Chapters 8 & 10.  Write one or more sentences at the end of each mini chapter that summarizes the main point.  Find one or more principles in each of the chapters.  Rewrite it in the "if, then" format and come to class prepared to share it.  You can look here for information on finding principles.

2 - Read "The Divinely Inspired Constitution" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.    Print out the article, and as you read mark principles of your personal responsibilities to the Constitution.


Know/Understand

Choose 1 of the following:

• In chapter 10.3 of "Promises of the Constitution" we read about the way the Electoral College was set up by the Founders.  Imagine that you have been chosen as an elector and must select two people to nominate for president of the United States.  Write at least 1 paragraph explaining at least three characteristics you are looking for in a good president.  Why are these characteristics important to you?  

• In chapter 10.8 we read about the steps that have to be taken to amend (change, alter or add to) the Constitution.  Change can be good - but what happens is there is too much change? Describe what your life would be like if you moved to a new house every month, or if you got new parents every year, or if the days of the week changed around frequently.  Choose one of these situation, or come up with one of your own, and explain in at least 1 paragraph the negative effects of this change.  How uncertain would life be with these unnecessary changes? How does this apply to changes made to the Constitution?  Is the Constitution strengthened or weakened when tampered with too much?

• In order to expect the leaders of our nation to be responsible in their spending, we as citizens, must also be responsible with our personal spending.  Prepare a FHE for your family on responsible money management.  You can find quite a few resources at LDS.org if you search for "money management".  You can also use any other resourced you find.  Be prepared to teach the class a short FHE on what you presented to your family.

Become/Serve

In the article by Elder Oaks, we read a quote by Adlai Stevenson:

“What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? … A patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”

Look through quotes about our country's Constitution and find one that you love, that inspires patriotism in you.  Print it on a paper, decorate it and make it pleasing to look at.  Post it in your room where you will see it often to remind you what an amazing, God-inspired country we have.

January Master Class

January Master Class

Study/Learn

1 - Watch this introduction to "To Kill a Mockingbird".

2 - Read: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.



Know/Understand
(Choose 1 of the following)

- There are many characters throughout the book that show courage.  Choose one of them and write a letter to that character telling them what courage you noticed in them, how you feel about the courage they showed and what you are committing to do to live more courageous in our own life.

- Which character in the book do you relate to the most?  Why?  Write a paragraph about why you feel that you relate so well to them.  How are you alike?  How are you different?  If you were that character what would you do the same or different?

- Do you like the way the book ended?  If not, rewrite the ending of the book to your liking.

- Choose your favorite scene from the book and with some friends from class, act if out for us.  Be prepared to tell us why it is your favorite part.

- What, if any, prejudices do people face in today's world? Have the issues that Lee discusses in To Kill a Mockingbird been resolved or are they ongoing? What forms of prejudice can you identify in your own community? Have you ever been the victim of prejudice? Did the situation end justly? Explain.

- Watch the movie, "To Kill a Mockingbird" from 1962. What elements in the story are different? What limitations does the book have that film doesn't? What limitations doesfilm have that the book doesn't? Does the movie tell the same story that Harper Lee does? What events do the movie highlight as important? Why do you think they made those choices? Do you agree with the choices? Write a paragraph in agreement or disagreement.  Did you like the movie or book better?


Become/Serve

In Chapter 10 of "To Kill a Mockingbird", Atticus showed his children that he was a courageous man when he stepped into the street to face down a rabid dog. Although he didn't consider the act particularly courageous and was completely uninterested in proving anything to his children, Jem and Scout were proud of, and impressed by, his courage in such a precarious situation. But shooting something wasn't really Atticus' idea of courage. He viewed courage on a more intellectual level, as a moral thing, not as something that can be proved with a weapon.

Do you agree or disagree with Atticus' idea of courage?  Think about this and then record your feelings in your journal.