Charity—a Sign of True Discipleship
Michael B. Strong, of the Seventy
Elder Strong counsels that true discipleship of Jesus Christ is demonstrated through charity and love in action.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin the lesson by asking class members to reflect on a time when they felt the pure love of Christ through someone else's actions. Invite a few to share these experiences.
- Start with a brief discussion about what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Ask the class to list attributes of discipleship and then introduce the talk's focus on charity as a key attribute.
- Share a story or video that illustrates an act of charity, then discuss how charity is a sign of true discipleship, as Elder Strong emphasized.
- Invite the class to consider the impact of charity in their own lives. Ask them to think about who has shown them Christlike love and how it affected them.
- Play a hymn or song about love and charity, such as "Love One Another," and ask the class to ponder how they can better embody these teachings in their daily lives.
Topics
Prioritize Discipleship Deliberately
Elder Strong emphasized that discipleship requires a continuous and deliberate commitment to follow Jesus Christ. It's more than just believing in His teachings; it's about imitating His attributes daily.
“Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice. It is a continuous commitment and way of life that should guide us at all times and in all places.”
- How can we make our discipleship a higher priority in our daily lives?
- What are some deliberate actions we can take to better follow Christ?
- How can we help others in their journey of discipleship?
- What challenges do we face in maintaining a continuous commitment to discipleship?
- How does our personal discipleship influence those around us?
Emulate Christ’s Pure Love
Elder Strong taught that charity, or Christ's pure love, is the defining attribute of true discipleship. Without charity, we are nothing, and it is through acts of love that we demonstrate our discipleship.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
- Why is charity considered the most important attribute of discipleship?
- How can we cultivate more charity in our hearts?
- What are some ways we can show love in action in our communities?
- How does charity influence our relationship with God?
- What role does charity play in overcoming personal challenges?
Show Compassion as Christ Did
Elder Strong highlighted that compassion is a key expression of charity. Christ showed compassion by alleviating suffering and healing others, and we are called to do the same.
“One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people.”
- What are some examples of compassion you have seen or experienced?
- How can we develop greater compassion for those around us?
- What role does compassion play in healing and comforting others?
- How can we be more aware of the needs of those who may be suffering silently?
- What can we learn from Christ’s examples of compassion in the scriptures?
Minister to Unspoken Needs
Elder Strong shared that Christ ministered to the unspoken needs of others. By observing and acting on these needs, we can show true discipleship.
“Like the Lord, these disciples had noticed the unspoken need and acted in love—a prominent sign of their discipleship.”
- How can we become more attuned to the unspoken needs of those around us?
- What are some ways we can minister to others without being intrusive?
- How does ministering to unspoken needs strengthen our relationships?
- Why is it important to be proactive in serving others?
- What blessings have you seen in your life from ministering to others?
Help Others Along the Covenant Path
Elder Strong encouraged us to help others progress along the covenant path. This includes uplifting, befriending, and inviting others to partake in the blessings of the gospel.
“The Agamatas now enjoy the rich blessings of being sealed as an eternal family because a few fellow disciples who were filled with charity—a sign of their discipleship—determined to help their brothers and sisters forward along their covenant path.”
- How can we support others in their journey along the covenant path?
- What are some unconventional ways we can serve others?
- How does helping others in their spiritual journey strengthen our own faith?
- What role does prayer play in guiding us to help others?
- How can we create a welcoming environment for new members of our congregation?
Additional Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to have the image of Christ in our countenances?
- How can we balance our personal challenges with the call to serve others?
- In what ways can we express gratitude for those who have shown us charity?
- What are some barriers to showing charity, and how can we overcome them?
- How can we teach our children to develop Christlike attributes?
- What role does humility play in discipleship?
- How can we recognize the Savior’s influence in our daily acts of service?
- What are some practical ways to incorporate more acts of charity into our routines?
- How can we ensure that our service is motivated by love rather than obligation?
- What impact does charity have on our community and society as a whole?
