Lesson Prepration Guide for "Do Your Part with All Your Heart"

In his inspiring talk, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles uses his experience as a pilot to illustrate the importance of self-discipline and consistent effort in our discipleship. He reminds us that our spiritual gifts, although they may seem ordinary, are precious and essential to the Lord's work. Elder Uchtdorf encourages us to recognize our gifts, magnify them, and engage in the journey of faith with all our hearts, trusting in the Savior to lead us to eternal glory.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin by sharing a personal experience of learning a skill or talent that required patience and perseverance. Encourage class members to think about their own experiences where they had to work diligently to improve.
Show a short video or clip about the process of refining a skill, such as learning a musical instrument or a sport, and relate it to the process of discipleship.
Invite a class member to share a story about a time they discovered a hidden talent or gift and how it impacted their life.
Start with a brief discussion on what it means to have spiritual gifts and how they differ from talents, inviting class members to share their initial thoughts.
Read the parable of the talents from the New Testament and ask the class to consider its relevance in today's world before diving into the talk.

Topics

Embrace Discipleship with Discipline

Elder Uchtdorf emphasized the importance of self-discipline in discipleship, comparing it to maintaining skills in flying or playing an instrument. Faith requires daily commitment and constant practice to remain strong.

Simply put, discipleship takes self-discipline. It is not a casual endeavor, and it doesn’t happen by accident.

How can we apply the concept of self-discipline to our spiritual lives?
What are some daily practices that can help strengthen our discipleship?
Why is it important to view faith as a practice rather than a one-time event?
How does consistent self-discipline in spiritual matters influence our lives?
Can you share an experience where self-discipline helped you in your spiritual journey?

Recognize and Use Your Spiritual Gifts

Elder Uchtdorf assured members that everyone is gifted with spiritual gifts, which may not always be obvious but are crucial to the Lord's work. He encouraged recognizing and utilizing these gifts to bless others.

Oh, how I wish I could embrace you and help you understand this great truth: You are a blessed being of light, the spirit child of an infinite God!

What are some spiritual gifts you have recognized in yourself or others?
How can we discover and develop our spiritual gifts?
Why might some spiritual gifts be less noticeable, and how can we value them?
How can we use our spiritual gifts to bless others in our community?
What steps can we take to better recognize the gifts God has given us?

Magnify Your Gifts Through Action

Elder Uchtdorf encouraged members to actively use and magnify their gifts, as illustrated by the parable of the talents. Our gifts grow when we put them to use, not when they are set aside.

Our gifts magnify and multiply only when we put them to use.

What does it mean to magnify our gifts, and why is it important?
How can we ensure we are actively using our gifts rather than setting them aside?
What are some ways you have seen others magnify their gifts?
How does the parable of the talents apply to our lives today?
Can you share an example of how using your gifts has blessed others?

Do Your Part with All Your Heart

Elder Uchtdorf urged members to engage wholeheartedly in their discipleship, stressing that small and consistent efforts lead to spiritual growth. He reminded members that their efforts, combined with Christ's grace, lead to eternal blessings.

To get there, we must do our part today and every day. We are thankful for the steps we took yesterday, but we don’t stop there.

What does it mean to do your part with all your heart in the context of discipleship?
How can we maintain motivation to consistently do our part every day?
Why is it important to focus on small, consistent efforts rather than grand gestures?
How does doing our part daily help us grow closer to Christ?
What are some practical ways we can engage more fully in our discipleship?

Trust in Christ's Strength and Grace

Elder Uchtdorf reminded members that while our efforts are crucial, it is ultimately Christ's strength and grace that perfect us. Our loyalty and commitment to Him assure our victory and eternal joy.

Because of our beloved Savior, there is no such thing as a no-win scenario. If we place our hope and faith in Him, our victory is assured.

How can we balance our efforts with reliance on Christ's grace?
What role does trust in Christ play in our spiritual growth?
How does understanding that Christ's strength assures our victory influence our daily lives?
In what ways can we strengthen our trust in the Savior?
Can you share a time when trusting in Christ helped you overcome a challenge?

Additional Discussion Questions

How can we identify the talents or gifts that God has given us?
What are some ways we can use our gifts to serve others in the Church?
How does the analogy of flying relate to our spiritual journey?
Why is it important to continually nourish our faith?
What are some practical steps we can take to strengthen our discipleship?
How can we encourage others to recognize and use their spiritual gifts?
What challenges might we face in consistently doing our part, and how can we overcome them?
How does Elder Uchtdorf's message inspire you to improve your discipleship?
What does it mean to you to be a 'wholehearted believer'?
How can we help others see their potential as gifted children of God?