Just as He Did

Ministering in a Higher, Holier Way

Bishop Waddell shares the story of his brother Mike's experience with ministering, highlighting how the genuine love and concern of his ministering brother, John, and other local priesthood leaders helped Mike come closer to Christ. He emphasizes that ministering is more than just being a friend; it's about helping others grow closer to the Savior.

In response to that invitation from a prophet of God, remarkable efforts to minister to the one are taking place all over the world, in both coordinated efforts, as members faithfully fulfill their ministering assignments, as well as in what I’ll call “impromptu” ministering, as so many demonstrate Christlike love in response to unexpected opportunities.

John knew that a minister is more than a friend and that friendship is magnified as we minister.

• How did John's ministering efforts help Mike in his spiritual journey?
• What does it mean to minister in a "higher, holier way"?
• How is ministering more than just being a friend?
• How can you improve your ministering efforts to help others come closer to Christ?
• Are there any "unexpected opportunities" for ministering that you can act on in your life?

The Reach of the Savior's Love and Atonement

Bishop Waddell emphasizes that no one is beyond the reach of the Savior's love and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Using Mike's experience as an example, he assures that it's never too late for anyone to change and come back to the fold of God.

However, like Mike, no one is too far gone, and it’s never too late for the Savior’s loving reach.

No one has ever wandered so far from the path that he or she is beyond the reach of the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is limitless in its duration and scope.

• What does Bishop Waddell mean when he says "it’s never too late for the Savior’s loving reach"?
• How does the story of Mike illustrate the reach of the Savior's love and Atonement?
• How have you experienced the Savior's love and the Atonement in your life?
• How can you help others understand and feel the reach of the Savior's love and Atonement?

The Power of Invitation in Ministering

Bishop Waddell underscores the importance of extending invitations in our ministering efforts. He shares how a simple invitation to hear the gospel message had a profound impact on Mike's spiritual journey.

That decision to change, however, is often the result of an invitation such as “I think you’d enjoy hearing the gospel message.” Just as it is never too late for the Savior, it is never too soon for us to extend an invitation.

• How did the invitation to hear the gospel message impact Mike?
• Why is extending invitations important in our ministering efforts?
• How can you incorporate the power of invitation in your ministering efforts?
• Is there someone in your life who could benefit from an invitation to hear the gospel message?

The Purpose of Ministering

Bishop Waddell explains that the purpose of ministering is not just to meet immediate needs but to help others follow Christ, know Him, and reach their divine potential. He encourages us to minister "just as He did", keeping in mind the higher goal of helping others achieve deeper conversion.

In modeling our ministering after Jesus Christ, it is important to remember that His efforts to love, lift, serve, and bless had a higher goal than meeting the immediate need.

As we seek to minister just as He did, we will be provided opportunities to forget self and lift others.

• What is the higher goal of ministering, according to Bishop Waddell?
• What does it mean to minister "just as He did"?
• How can you focus your ministering efforts on helping others achieve deeper conversion and become more like the Savior?
• Can you recall a time when your ministering efforts helped someone come closer to Christ?

Following the Spirit in Ministering

Bishop Waddell emphasizes the importance of seeking the guidance of the Spirit in our ministering efforts. He assures that as we seek the Spirit's guidance and trust in the Lord, we will be led to situations where we can bless others.

Whether we serve as ministering brothers or sisters, or simply when we are made aware of someone in need, we are encouraged to seek the guidance and direction of the Spirit—and then to act.

Like Nephi, who “was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do,” we will also be led by the Spirit as we strive to become instruments in the Lord’s hands to bless His children.

• Why is it important to seek the Spirit's guidance in our ministering efforts?
• How can the Spirit guide us in our efforts to bless others?
• How have you been guided by the Spirit in your ministering efforts?
• How can you better seek the Spirit's guidance in your efforts to bless others?