Study Guide for "Joy Through Covenant Discipleship"

In his inspiring talk, "Joy Through Covenant Discipleship," Elder John A. McCune of the Seventy shares personal stories and profound insights on the transformative power of becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ through making and keeping sacred covenants. He emphasizes the joy and spiritual power that come from aligning ourselves with the Savior and participating in His work. Elder McCune illustrates how covenant discipleship helps us develop an eternal perspective and experience a fullness of joy, even amidst life's challenges.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ according to Elder McCune?
How can making and keeping covenants bring joy?
What role does Jesus Christ play in understanding the nature of God?
How are justice and mercy complementary attributes of God?
What examples does Elder McCune provide of experiencing joy through discipleship?

Topics

Embrace Covenant Discipleship

Elder McCune discusses the significance of becoming a disciple of Christ through making and keeping sacred covenants. He emphasizes that this path brings us closer to Christ and allows us to experience His love and joy more fully.

As disciples, when we make and keep sacred covenants, we are blessed with spiritual power.

Our ability to sense a full measure of God’s love, or to continue in His love, is contingent upon our righteous desires and actions.

What does it mean to be a covenant disciple of Christ?
How do covenants connect us to Christ and God the Father?
What specific covenants have you made, and how have they brought you closer to Christ?
How can you improve your commitment to keeping your covenants daily?

Understand God's Perfect Attributes

Elder McCune explains that God the Father is perfectly loving, kind, patient, and just. Through Jesus Christ, we can better understand these divine attributes and how they are manifested in our lives.

The attributes of God the Father transcend any less-than-perfect attributes of a fallen man.

Just like our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is perfectly merciful and just.

How do the attributes of God the Father differ from those of mortal men?
In what ways do Jesus Christ's life and mission illustrate God's love?
Reflect on a time when you felt God's perfect love in your life.
How can you strive to emulate the attributes of God in your daily interactions?

Experience Joy Through Eternal Perspective

The talk highlights the importance of having an eternal perspective, especially during trials. Elder McCune shares personal experiences to illustrate how understanding the eternal plan and making covenants can bring profound joy.

Joy and eternal perspective come through being bound to the Savior by making and keeping covenants and through Christlike discipleship.

President Nelson has taught: "Just as the Savior offers peace that passeth all understanding, He also offers an intensity, depth, and breadth of joy that defy human logic or mortal comprehension."

How does having an eternal perspective help us find joy in difficult times?
Why is it important to be bound to the Savior through covenants?
Think of a trial you are currently facing. How can an eternal perspective help you navigate it?
What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God's eternal plan?

Trust in God's Perfect Justice and Mercy

Elder McCune explains that God's attributes of justice and mercy are perfectly balanced and complementary. This understanding helps us trust in God's plan and His dealings with us.

These divine attributes of justice and mercy are not in opposition. They are complementary.

We can trust God the Father and Jesus Christ because They are just and fair with all of us.

How are justice and mercy complementary attributes of God?
Why is it important to trust in God's justice and mercy?
Reflect on a time when you experienced God's mercy. How did it impact your faith?
How can you better trust in God's justice and mercy in your life?

Participate in the Gathering of Israel

Elder McCune encourages members to engage in the gathering of Israel by helping others come unto Christ. He emphasizes that as we share the joy we experience through covenant discipleship, we participate in God's greatest cause.

As we make and keep covenants, we will naturally turn outward and have a desire to help others feel the measure of joy and love we feel in our covenantal relationships.

We can be part of the greatest cause on the earth today—the gathering of Israel.

What is the significance of the gathering of Israel in God's plan?
How can covenant discipleship motivate us to help others?
What actions can you take to participate more fully in the gathering of Israel?
How can you share the joy of the gospel with those around you?