Patterns of Discipleship
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What are the patterns of discipleship that Elder Sitati identifies?
- How do these patterns help us understand and connect with Heavenly Father?
- What role does humility play in our relationship with God?
- How does love and service contribute to our spiritual growth?
- What are some ways we can apply these patterns in our daily lives?
Topics
Recognizing God's Patterns in the Natural World
Elder Sitati discusses the importance of recognizing and aligning our lives with the eternal realities and patterns given by God, such as the cycle of day and night. These patterns serve as reminders of absolute truths that govern our lives.
This timeless constancy of the onset of day and night is one daily reminder of realities that govern our lives that we cannot change.
Whenever we care to notice, we see that Heavenly Father has given us sufficient witnesses of truth to govern our lives so we will know Him and have the blessings of peace and joy.
- What are some patterns in nature that remind you of God's eternal truths?
- How can recognizing these patterns help us align our lives with God's will?
- What steps can you take to become more aware of God's patterns in the world around you?
- How can you use these patterns as daily reminders of God's presence in your life?
Cultivating Humility as a Disciple of Christ
Elder Sitati emphasizes the necessity of humility in our relationship with God. He highlights the importance of being "meek and lowly in heart" as a prerequisite to receiving the Spirit of God and growing in faith.
But to acknowledge, believe, and continue in God, our hearts need to be receptive to the Spirit of truth.
Humility inclines the heart of the disciple toward repentance and obedience. The Spirit of God is then able to bring truth to that heart, and it will find entry.
- Why is humility essential in our relationship with God?
- How does humility prepare our hearts to receive the Spirit of God?
- In what ways can you cultivate humility in your daily life?
- How can humility help you grow in your relationship with God and others?
Learning to Love God and Others
Elder Sitati discusses the transformative power of love, asserting that as we focus our best efforts on loving God and others, we discover our own divine worth and become one with God and each other.
The miraculous irony of it is that when we focus our best efforts on loving God and others, we are enabled to discover our own true divine worth as sons and daughters of God, with the complete peace and joy that this experience brings.
We become one with God and with one another through love and service.
- Why is love central to our discipleship?
- How does focusing on loving God and others help us discover our divine worth?
- How can you show love to God and others in your daily life?
- What steps can you take to grow in your love for God and others?
Serving Others as a Pattern of Discipleship
Elder Sitati highlights service as a crucial pattern of discipleship. He explains that as we serve others, both within our homes and outside, we cultivate charity and become one with God and His servants.
Love for God and service to one another nurtured at home and service to others outside the home in time grow into the attribute of charity.
What we do at home is the true crucible of enduring and joyful discipleship.
- How does service contribute to our spiritual growth?
- Why is service at home crucial for enduring discipleship?
- What opportunities do you have to serve others in your daily life?
- How can you increase your service to others both within and outside your home?
