Lesson Prepration Guide for "Participate to Prepare for Christ’s Return"

In his General Conference address, Elder Steven D. Shumway of the Seventy speaks about the importance of engaging in God's work as a means to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. He shares personal experiences and insights, emphasizing that participation in God's work is not only a way to serve others but also a path to spiritual growth and readiness for the Savior's return. Elder Shumway invites members to see callings and service opportunities as sacred gifts that help us become more like Christ.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin by sharing a personal experience of feeling inadequate in a calling and how it led to spiritual growth.
Play a short video clip of President Russell M. Nelson speaking about preparing for the Second Coming, and discuss initial impressions.
Ask the class to share a time they felt prompted to serve in a way that seemed beyond their capabilities.
Start with a quote from Elder Shumway about the blessings of service and ask the class to reflect on how service has blessed their lives.
Invite a class member to share a story about how accepting a calling or serving others has impacted their faith journey.

Topics

Engage in God's Work for Spiritual Growth

Elder Shumway emphasized that engaging in God's work not only prepares us for Christ's return but also brings spiritual growth and blessings. He shared personal experiences and teachings from President Nelson to illustrate how participation in church callings and service helps us progress spiritually.

The Lord’s promise is compelling that callings, ministering, temple worship, following promptings, and other ways we embark in God’s work uniquely prepare us to meet the Savior.

How have you seen your spiritual growth linked to your participation in God's work?
What are some ways you can engage more fully in God's work?
Why do you think God asks us to do things that feel beyond our reach?
How can we support each other in fulfilling our callings and responsibilities?
What blessings have you experienced from serving in the Church?

Serve to Transform Homes and Churches

Service in the Church elevates our homes and congregations into holy places where we practice covenant living. Elder Shumway taught that serving others helps us live our covenants and transforms what might feel like duty into joy.

When we serve because we love God and want to live our covenants, service that seems dutiful and draining becomes joyful and transformative.

How does serving others help us live our covenants?
In what ways can service transform our homes into holy places?
How can we find joy in service that initially feels like a duty?
What experiences have you had where service brought unexpected joy?
How can we encourage others to see the transformative power of service?

Receive God's Grace Through Service

Elder Shumway explained that participating in God's work allows us to receive His grace and feel His love more deeply. He emphasized that God doesn't expect perfection but invites us to act in faith and grow through our efforts.

We do not receive financial compensation for serving. Instead, scripture teaches that for our "labor [we are] to receive the grace of God."

What does it mean to receive God's grace through service?
How can we rely on God's grace when we feel inadequate in our callings?
Why is it important to act in faith even when we feel weak?
What role does grace play in helping us overcome feelings of inadequacy?
How can we help others understand the role of grace in their service?

Invite Others to Accept Callings

Elder Shumway encouraged leaders and members to seek out those without callings and help them engage in God's work. He shared stories of individuals who experienced spiritual growth by accepting callings, even when they felt unworthy or unlikely candidates.

Callings are sacred gifts from a loving Heavenly Father to help bring others with us to Jesus Christ.

How can we better identify and invite those without callings to serve?
What can we learn from the story of John and his calling?
Why is it important to extend callings to those who may seem unlikely candidates?
How can we overcome biases that prevent us from inviting others to serve?
What experiences have you had with being invited to serve when you felt unqualified?

Represent Christ Through Service

Elder Shumway taught that serving in God's work allows us to represent Christ and become more like Him. He emphasized that our service should magnify Christ, not ourselves, and that this is the best preparation for meeting the Savior.

In earnestly seeking to represent the Savior, we become more like Him. That is the best preparation for the sacred moment when each of us will kneel and confess that Jesus is the Christ.

What does it mean to represent Christ through our service?
How can we ensure our service magnifies Christ rather than ourselves?
In what ways does serving help us become more like Christ?
How can we help others see the importance of representing Christ in their service?
What experiences have helped you feel closer to Christ through your service?

Additional Discussion Questions

How can we prepare ourselves for Christ's return through daily actions?
What role does humility play in accepting callings and serving others?
How can we balance life's demands with our responsibilities in God's work?
What are some practical ways to say 'yes' to Christ in our daily lives?
How does serving in the Church help us develop Christlike attributes?
What personal sacrifices have you made to serve, and how have they blessed you?
How can we help others see the eternal perspective of serving in God's kingdom?
In what ways does service help us overcome personal challenges?
How can we create a culture of encouragement and support in our wards?
What lessons can we learn from the examples of biblical and modern-day prophets in serving God?