Ministering as the Savior Does
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does it mean to minister as the Savior does?
- How can simple acts of service have profound effects on others?
- What are some examples of ministering provided by Sister Bingham?
- How can integrating youth into ministering assignments benefit the Church community?
- What role does love play in effective ministering?
Topics
Embrace Simple Acts of Service
Sister Bingham emphasizes that ministering doesn't require grand gestures; simple acts of kindness can have significant impacts. She provides examples from the Savior’s life, such as smiling, talking, and listening, to illustrate how small actions can make a big difference.
Sometimes we think we have to do something grand and heroic to "count" as serving our neighbors. Yet simple acts of service can have profound effects on others—as well as on ourselves.
But He also smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to, made time for, encouraged, taught, fed, and forgave.
- What are some simple acts of service that Jesus performed during His ministry?
- How can small acts of kindness impact both the giver and the receiver?
- What simple acts of service can you incorporate into your daily routine?
- Can you recall a time when a small act of kindness made a significant impact on you or someone else?
Personalize Your Ministering Efforts
Ministering should be tailored to the needs of individuals and families. Sister Bingham provides examples of how personalized ministering can be executed, such as visiting in person, sending a text, or sharing a meaningful scripture.
Ministering can be done in a great variety of individualized ways.
It looks like sharing a scripture or quote from a conference talk that would be meaningful to that individual.
- Why is it important to personalize your ministering efforts?
- What are some ways you can personalize your ministering to better meet the needs of those you serve?
- How can you better understand the specific needs of those you minister to?
- What are some personalized ministering actions you can take this week?
Integrate Youth in Ministering
Sister Bingham discusses the role of youth in ministering, emphasizing how their involvement can enhance their spiritual growth and extend the reach of ministering efforts. She shares stories of young women who have naturally taken on ministering roles.
Youth can share their unique gifts and grow spiritually as they serve alongside adults in the work of salvation.
Young women "want to be of service. They need to know they are valued and essential in the work of salvation."
- How can involving youth in ministering benefit both the youth and those they serve?
- What unique qualities do youth bring to ministering efforts?
- How can you involve the youth in your ward in ministering efforts?
- What are some ways to mentor and support youth in their ministering assignments?
Foster Unity Through Coordinated Ministering
Effective ministering involves coordination between elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies. Sister Bingham provides examples of how coordinated efforts can meet the needs of individuals and families, fostering unity and love within the ward.
Combining such Relief Society efforts with the now-restructured elders quorum will bring a unity that can yield astonishing results.
Working together under the direction of the bishop, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies can be inspired as they seek the best ways to watch over and care for each individual and family.
- Why is coordination between elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies important in ministering?
- How can coordinated efforts enhance the effectiveness of ministering?
- What steps can you take to improve coordination in your ward’s ministering efforts?
- How can you contribute to fostering unity through ministering?
Motivate Ministering with Love
Sister Bingham underscores that the motivation behind ministering should be love. She explains that when ministering is done with love, it can lead to miracles and bring individuals closer to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
After all is said and done, true ministering is accomplished one by one with love as the motivation.
With love as the motivation, miracles will happen, and we will find ways to bring our "missing" sisters and brothers into the all-inclusive embrace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Why is love an essential component of effective ministering?
- How can love-driven ministering lead to miracles?
- How can you ensure that love is the primary motivation behind your ministering efforts?
- Can you think of a time when love-driven ministering had a significant impact?
