Study Guide for "“Then Will I Make Weak Things Become Strong”"

In his talk, Elder Kevin S. Hamilton of the Seventy, discusses the divine potential within each of us to change and become better through the power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. He emphasizes the importance of humility, faith, and the grace of Christ in this transformation process. Elder Hamilton also shares inspiring examples of individuals who experienced significant changes in their lives due to their faith in Jesus Christ.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What does Elder Hamilton say about our potential to change?
What are some of the conditions God has set for us to change?
How does Elder Hamilton define "repentance"?
What role does humility play in our ability to change?
What examples does Elder Hamilton provide of individuals who have experienced significant changes?

Topics

The Divine Potential to Change

Elder Hamilton starts his talk by debunking the world's lie that we cannot or should not change. He emphasizes that as children of God, we have a divine nature and destiny to become like Him, which requires us to change. He defines the scriptural word for change as "repentance".

One of Satan’s greatest lies is that men and women cannot change.

While it is indeed good to be authentic, we should be authentic to our real, true selves as sons and daughters of God with a divine nature and destiny to become like Him.

What does Elder Hamilton mean when he says that we should be "authentic to our real, true selves"?
What is the scriptural word for change according to Elder Hamilton?
In what ways do you feel you need to change to become more like our Heavenly Father?
How can you apply the principle of repentance in your life to bring about this change?

God's Conditional Statements

Elder Hamilton discusses how God operates through conditions of faith, righteousness, and repentance. He provides examples of conditional statements from God that require us to fulfill certain conditions to receive His blessings.

The Lord also operates through conditions: conditions of faith, conditions of righteousness, conditions of repentance.

Even God’s love, although infinite and perfect, is also subject to conditions.

What are some examples of God's conditional statements?
Why does Elder Hamilton say that even God's love is subject to conditions?
What are some conditions that you need to fulfill to receive God's blessings?
How can you apply these conditional statements in your everyday life?

The Power of Humility and Faith in Transformation

Elder Hamilton highlights the importance of humility and faith in Jesus Christ for us to change. By humbling ourselves and exercising faith in Christ, we can access His enabling power of grace and the fullness of blessings available because of His Atonement.

First, we must humble ourselves. The Lord’s condition for change is humility.

Second, we must have faith in Jesus Christ.

Third, through His grace He can make weak things become strong.

Why is humility a crucial condition for change?
What role does faith in Jesus Christ play in our transformation?
How does the grace of Christ enable us to change?
What steps can you take to cultivate humility in your life?
How can you strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ?
In what ways have you experienced the enabling power of Christ's grace in your life?

Weak Things Can Become Strong

Elder Hamilton explains that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can overcome our weaknesses and become strong. Our greatest weaknesses can become our greatest strengths as we seek to change.

Our greatest weaknesses can become our greatest strengths. We can be changed and “become new creatures.”

Weak things literally can “become strong unto [us].”

How can our weaknesses become our strengths according to Elder Hamilton?
What role does the Atonement of Jesus Christ play in this transformation?
What are some of your weaknesses that you would like to transform into strengths?
How can you rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ to help you overcome these weaknesses?

Examples of Change

Elder Hamilton shares inspiring examples from the scriptures and personal life, demonstrating the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. These examples serve as a testament that significant change is possible through faith and repentance.

Saul, a Pharisee and active persecutor of the early Christian church, became Paul, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alma was a priest in the court of wicked King Noah. He heard the words of Abinadi, fully repented, and became one of the great missionaries of the Book of Mormon.

My wife’s grandfather James B. Keysor has always impressed me with his own mighty change of heart.

What do the examples of Saul, Alma, and James B. Keysor teach us about the power of change?
How did their faith in Jesus Christ contribute to their transformation?
Can you think of a time when you experienced a significant change in your life due to your faith in Jesus Christ?
What can you learn from these examples to apply in your own life?