“Lovest Thou Me?”
Steven C. Barlow, of the Seventy
Elder Barlow explains that we show our love for God by prioritizing Him, serving others, and obeying His commandments.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin the lesson by sharing a personal experience or story of when you felt God's love in a simple yet profound way. Invite class members to think about similar experiences in their own lives.
- Start with a question: "What does it mean to truly love someone?" Allow a few minutes for discussion before transitioning into how we show our love for God and others as discussed in the talk.
- Show a short clip of the parable of the prodigal son and ask the class to reflect on the different expressions of love depicted in the story.
- Invite a class member to read the scripture where Jesus asks Peter "Lovest thou me more than these?" and discuss initial thoughts or feelings about this question.
- Play a hymn or song about love and service, then ask the class to share how the music made them feel and how it relates to loving God and others.
Topics
Recognize God's Love in Our Lives
Elder Barlow discussed how God's love is perfect and infinite, but sometimes we struggle to recognize it. He reassured that God expresses His love in ways each of us can understand and recognize.
He will express His love for us in ways we, individually, can recognize.
- What are some ways you have personally recognized God's love in your life?
- Why do you think it can be challenging to see God's love at times?
- How can we become more aware of the ways God shows His love to us?
- What role does gratitude play in recognizing God's love?
- Can you share a moment when you felt God's love during a difficult time?
Prioritize God Above All Else
Elder Barlow explained that we show our love for God by making Him the most important influence in our lives, above all other things or people.
We demonstrate our discipleship and love for God when we make Him our top priority.
- What are some "these" in your life that might compete with your love for God?
- How can we ensure that God remains the top priority in our daily lives?
- What changes might you need to make to put God first?
- How does making God a priority influence your daily decisions?
- Can you share an experience where prioritizing God brought blessings into your life?
Serve and Minister to Others
Elder Barlow highlighted that serving others is a direct way to show our love for God. He shared a personal story of how service strengthened familial bonds.
Serving each other is an unmistakable way we show our love for God and His Beloved Son.
- How does serving others help us feel closer to God?
- What are some simple ways you can serve those around you?
- Can you share a time when serving someone else brought you joy?
- Why is it important to see others as God sees them?
- How can we develop a habit of service in our daily lives?
Confess God's Hand in All Things
Elder Barlow emphasized the importance of gratitude and recognizing God's hand in our lives. He shared a story about the impact of acknowledging divine assistance.
We show our love for God by acknowledging Him as the source of every good thing in our lives.
- Why is it important to recognize God's hand in our successes?
- How can expressing gratitude strengthen our relationship with God?
- What are some ways to develop a more grateful heart?
- How does acknowledging God's role in our lives change our perspective?
- Can you think of a time when gratitude transformed your outlook on a situation?
Obey God's Commandments Out of Love
Elder Barlow taught that obedience to God's commandments should be a willing expression of love, not compulsion. He called this "affectionate obedience."
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
- What does "affectionate obedience" mean to you?
- How can we cultivate a desire to obey God's commandments out of love?
- What are some challenges you face in being obedient, and how can love for God help overcome them?
- How does obedience to God's commandments reflect our love for Him?
- Can you share a personal experience where obedience brought unexpected blessings?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How can we better communicate love to those around us in ways they understand?
- What lessons can we learn from the story of the prodigal son about forgiveness and love?
- How does focusing on serving others help us shift our focus from ourselves?
- What role does prayer play in helping us feel God's love?
- How can we help others recognize God's love in their lives?
- What are some practical ways to put God first in a busy world?
- How can we overcome feelings of inadequacy in our expressions of love and service?
- What impact does recognizing God's hand have on our faith and trust in Him?
- How can we teach our children to recognize and express love in meaningful ways?
- In what ways can we support each other in our efforts to love and serve God more fully?
