The Powerful, Virtuous Cycle of the Doctrine of Christ
Dale G. Renlund, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Renlund illustrates the power of spiritual momentum through the doctrine of Christ.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin by sharing a personal experience where you had to keep moving or keep trying even when things got tough. Relate this to the principle of maintaining spiritual momentum that Elder Renlund discusses.
- Start with a discussion about kayaking or another water sport. Ask if anyone has ever experienced being flipped over or knocked off course. Use this as a segue into Elder Renlund's kayak analogy.
- Open with a brief overview of the Doctrine of Christ and ask class members to share their understanding of it. Explain that Elder Renlund's talk expands on this doctrine and its application in our lives.
Topics
Maintaining Spiritual Momentum
Elder Renlund uses the analogy of a kayak to illustrate the importance of maintaining spiritual momentum. Just as a kayak is safer when it maintains forward movement, we are spiritually safer when we continually strive towards the Savior. Spiritual momentum is created over a lifetime as we repeatedly embrace the Doctrine of Christ.
By consistently paddling the kayak, I maintained momentum and forward progress, mitigating the effect of waves hitting me from the side. The same principle applies in our spiritual lives.
- What does it mean to maintain spiritual momentum?
- How can we keep moving forward even when we face challenges in our lives?
- Why is it important to keep striving towards the Savior?
- How does the Doctrine of Christ help us maintain spiritual momentum?
- Can you share an instance where maintaining spiritual momentum helped you overcome a trial?
Repeatedly and Iteratively Living the Doctrine of Christ
Elder Renlund emphasizes that the elements of the Doctrine of Christ should be experienced repeatedly and iteratively throughout our lives. Each time we go through the cycle, we draw closer to Jesus Christ.
"Repeatedly" means that we experience the elements of the doctrine of Christ over and over throughout our lives. "Iteratively" means that we build on and improve with each repetition.
- What does it mean to live the Doctrine of Christ repeatedly and iteratively?
- How does this process help us draw closer to Jesus Christ?
- Can you share a personal experience of repeating and iterating the Doctrine of Christ in your life?
- How can we use this principle to strengthen our faith?
- What changes have you noticed in your life as you've lived the Doctrine of Christ repeatedly and iteratively?
Nourishing Our Faith Daily
Elder Renlund teaches that our faith in Jesus Christ needs to be nourished daily through prayer, scripture study, reflection on God's goodness, repentance, and following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Our faith in Jesus Christ needs to be nourished daily. It is nourished as we pray daily, study the scriptures daily, reflect on the goodness of God daily, repent daily, and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost daily.
- Why is it important to nourish our faith daily?
- What practices help you nourish your faith?
- How does daily nourishment of our faith affect our spiritual momentum?
- What challenges have you faced in nourishing your faith daily and how have you overcome them?
- How can we make daily spiritual nourishment a priority in our busy lives?
The Joy and Progress of Repentance
Elder Renlund discusses the role of repentance in our spiritual journey. He emphasizes that repentance is joyful and allows us to learn from our mistakes, which is how we progress eternally.
Repentance is joyful and allows us to learn from our mistakes, which is how we progress eternally.
- How does repentance contribute to our spiritual progress?
- Why does Elder Renlund describe repentance as "joyful"?
- Can you share an experience where repentance led to personal growth and progress?
- How can we cultivate a positive attitude towards repentance?
- Why is it important to continue in our journey even when we fall off or make mistakes?
Ministering with Compassion and Love
Elder Renlund encourages us to minister to others with compassion, empathy, and love, reflecting the pure love of Jesus Christ in our words and actions. He warns against judgement and reminds us that our job is to love and draw others to Christ.
We do need all our compassion, empathy, and love as we interact with those around us. Those who are struggling “need to experience the pure love of Jesus Christ reflected in [our] words and actions.”
- What does it mean to minister with compassion, empathy, and love?
- How can we avoid judgement in our ministering efforts?
- Can you share an experience where you felt the love of Christ through someone's ministering efforts?
- How can ministering to others help us in our own spiritual journey?
- Who has been a positive example of ministering with compassion and love in your life and why?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How can we apply the principle of 'maintaining spiritual momentum' in our daily lives?
- What are some ways we can better live the Doctrine of Christ iteratively and repeatedly?
- How can we help others understand and apply the Doctrine of Christ in their lives?
- What are some practical ways we can nourish our faith daily?
- How can we cultivate a more joyful attitude towards repentance?
- What are some ways we can better reflect the love of Christ in our ministering efforts?
- How does living the Doctrine of Christ help us draw closer to Jesus Christ?
- How can we make the Doctrine of Christ central to our lives?
- How can we help others who are struggling with their faith?
- What role does the Holy Ghost play in helping us live the Doctrine of Christ?
