Lesson Prepration Guide for "Promptings of the Spirit"

In his talk, Elder Gary E. Stevenson uses the analogy of gifted performers to discuss the spiritual gifts that God bestows upon His children. He emphasizes the importance of exercising these spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Elder Stevenson provides four guiding principles for inviting and recognizing the promptings of the Spirit and concludes with an invitation for individuals to recognize their spiritual gifts and the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin with a discussion about the FIFA Women’s World Cup mentioned in the talk. Ask the class about the qualities that make these athletes world class. Then transition into the spiritual gifts that we have been given and how we can refine them.
Start with a personal story about a time when you felt a strong prompting from the Spirit. Invite class members to think about a time when they have felt the Spirit guiding them.
Invite the class to consider the different spiritual gifts they have been given. Ask them to think about how they have used these gifts to bless others.

Topics

Exercising Spiritual Gifts

Elder Stevenson compared refining our spiritual gifts to the effort athletes put into honing their skills. He emphasized that spiritual gifts require spiritual exercise, which includes prayer, scripture study, keeping covenants, and partaking of the sacrament. The fruits of exercising these gifts are promptings from the Spirit, peace, comfort, and magnified abilities.

Exercising spiritual gifts requires spiritual exercise. “Having the guidance of the Holy Ghost in your life requires spiritual work. This work includes fervent prayer and consistent scripture study. It also includes keeping your covenants and God’s commandments. … It includes worthily partaking of the sacrament each week.”

What are some spiritual gifts you have been given?
How have you seen these gifts magnified through the Holy Ghost?
What spiritual exercises have helped you refine your spiritual gifts?
How can we better use our spiritual gifts to bless others?
What blessings have you received from exercising your spiritual gifts?

Inviting and Recognizing the Spirit's Promptings

Elder Stevenson provided four guiding principles to invite and recognize the Spirit's promptings: standing in holy places, standing with holy people, testifying of holy truths, and listening to the Holy Spirit. He emphasized the need for quiet and reverence to hear the "still small voice".

The first is to stand in holy places. ... Second, stand with holy people. ... Third, testify of holy truths as often as you can. ... The final principle is to listen to the Holy Spirit.

What holy places have you felt the Spirit strongly?
How have holy people influenced your ability to feel the Spirit?
How has testifying of holy truths invited the Spirit into your life?
What steps can you take to better listen to the Holy Spirit?
Can you share an experience when you recognized a prompting from the Spirit?

Words of Caution in Recognizing the Spirit

Elder Stevenson cautioned that spiritual impressions should align with scriptures and teachings of living prophets, should be consistent with our assignments, cannot be forced, and often require our best judgment. He encouraged patience and trust in receiving inspiration at the right time.

Confirm your spiritual impressions. ... Be certain that the feelings you receive are consistent with your assignment. ... Spiritual matters cannot be forced. ... Use your own best judgment.

How can we ensure our spiritual impressions align with scriptures and teachings of living prophets?
Why is it important that our feelings are consistent with our assignments?
How can we cultivate an attitude and environment that invite the Spirit?
Why is it important to use our best judgment in spiritual matters?
Can you share an experience when you had to be patient in receiving inspiration?

Additional Discussion Questions

How can we better invite the Holy Ghost into our lives?
What are some ways we can recognize the promptings of the Spirit?
How can we help others recognize the Spirit's promptings?
What role does the Holy Ghost play in your personal testimony?
How does the Holy Ghost help us in our daily lives?
How can we make our homes more conducive to the Spirit?
How can we better use our spiritual gifts in our callings and assignments?
What can we do to be more receptive to the Spirit's promptings?
How can we better testify of holy truths?
What obstacles might prevent us from recognizing the Spirit's promptings and how can we overcome them?