Foreordained to Serve
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin the lesson by discussing the concept of foreordination and its importance in our lives.
- Start with a personal story about a time when you felt a strong sense of purpose or calling in your life.
- Ask the class to share their understanding of the term "foreordination" and what it means to them.
- Start by reading the quote from President Nelson about our divine potential and discuss what this means in our daily lives.
Topics
Understanding Your Divine Foreordination
Elder Bangerter emphasized the importance of understanding our foreordination - the blessings, opportunities, and responsibilities God has prepared for us before our birth. He explained that these blessings are not guaranteed but are dependent on our righteous choices and progression along the covenant path.
Before you were born, God appointed each of you to fulfill specific missions during your mortal life upon the earth. If you remain worthy, the blessings of that premortal decree will enable you to have all kinds of opportunities in this life, including opportunities to serve in the Church and to participate in the most important work happening on the earth today: the gathering of Israel.
- What does it mean to you to be foreordained?
- How can understanding our foreordination influence our choices and actions?
- What are some ways we can discover our foreordained blessings and responsibilities?
- How does our agency play a role in fulfilling our foreordination?
- Can you share a time when you felt guided or blessed in a way that felt foreordained?
The Importance of Private Times
Elder Bangerter shared a personal story about the advice his father gave him about protecting the private times of his life. He emphasized that our actions during these private moments significantly impact our lives and our ability to receive revelation.
More than any other time in your life, what you do during the private times of your life will have the greatest impact on how you confront challenges and heartache you will face; and what you do during the private times of your life will also have a greater impact on how you confront the successes and joy you will experience than any other time in your life.
- Why are the private times of our lives so important?
- How can our actions during private times affect our ability to receive revelation?
- Can you share a personal experience where something you did in private had a significant impact on your life?
- How can we better protect and use the private times of our lives?
- What are some ways we can invite the Spirit into the private times of our lives?
Seeking Revelation about Foreordination
Elder Bangerter stressed the importance of seeking revelation to understand our foreordained blessings and responsibilities. He shared his personal experiences of receiving revelation during the private times of his life.
In those private moments, I learned the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I learned God had foreordained me to serve a mission. I learned that God knows me and hears and answers my prayers. I learned that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.
- How can we seek revelation about our foreordination?
- What role does prayer play in receiving revelation about our foreordination?
- Can you share a time when you received revelation about your divine purpose or calling?
- How can understanding our foreordination help us in our daily lives?
- What are some ways we can prepare ourselves to receive revelation?
The Role of the Savior's Atonement in Our Foreordination
Elder Bangerter testified of the power of the Savior's atoning sacrifice that enables us to live up to and enjoy all of God's foreordained blessings. He emphasized that the Atonement makes it possible for us to fulfill our divine potential.
I bear witness to the reality and power of our Savior’s atoning sacrifice that makes it possible to live up to and enjoy all of God’s foreordained blessings.
- How does the Atonement of Jesus Christ enable us to fulfill our foreordained blessings?
- Why is the Atonement essential in our journey to fulfill our divine potential?
- How can we draw upon the power of the Atonement in our daily lives?
- Can you share a time when the Atonement helped you fulfill a divine responsibility or receive a foreordained blessing?
- How can understanding the Atonement deepen our understanding of our foreordination?
Our Role in the Gathering of Israel
Elder Bangerter explained that part of our foreordination involves participating in the gathering of Israel, which he described as the most important work happening on the earth today. He emphasized that our foreordination includes opportunities to serve in the Church and make meaningful contributions to this divine work.
You young men have been reserved for this time when the promised gathering of Israel is taking place. …
- What does it mean to participate in the gathering of Israel?
- How does our foreordination involve the gathering of Israel?
- Can you share experiences where you felt you were participating in the gathering of Israel?
- How can we better fulfill our role in the gathering of Israel?
- Why is the gathering of Israel considered the most important work on the earth today?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How can understanding our foreordination help us in our personal struggles?
- What are some ways we can help others understand their foreordination?
- How can our understanding of foreordination influence our service in the Church?
- How does the concept of foreordination align with the principle of agency?
- How can we use our foreordained gifts and talents to bless others?
- How can our patriarchal blessings help us understand our foreordination?
- Why is it important to remember that our foreordained blessings are not guaranteed?
- How can we ensure that we are making choices that align with our foreordination?
- How does understanding our foreordination affect our view of our divine potential?
- How can we invite the Spirit to help us understand our foreordination?
