The Name by Which Ye Are Called
B. Corey Cuvelier, of the Seventy
Elder Cuvelier explains the importance of taking upon oneself the name of Christ and living as His disciple.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin by asking class members to think about the names or titles they hold in their lives and what those mean to them. Invite them to share how these titles influence their daily actions.
- Share a personal story or ask a volunteer to share a story about a time they felt their identity as a disciple of Christ influenced their decisions or actions.
- Start with a brief discussion on the importance of names and titles in our culture and how they can shape our identity.
- Present a short video or slideshow of various individuals and their titles (e.g., mother, father, teacher, friend) and ask the class to consider what the most important title might be.
- Read the opening anecdote from Elder Cuvelier's talk about his son's phone contact names and discuss what it means to be recognized by a certain name.
Topics
Understand Your True Identity
Elder Cuvelier emphasized that our true identity is as children of God, children of the covenant, and disciples of Jesus Christ. Any other designation will ultimately let us down.
President Russell M. Nelson taught that if the Lord were speaking to us directly, the first thing He would make sure we understand is our true identity: we are children of God, children of the covenant, and disciples of Jesus Christ.
- How does knowing our true identity as children of God influence our daily lives?
- What are some worldly titles that we might prioritize over our divine identity?
- Why is it important to remember that we are children of the covenant?
- In what ways can we remind ourselves of our identity as disciples of Jesus Christ?
- How can understanding our true identity help us navigate challenges and temptations?
Take Upon Yourself the Name of Christ
Taking upon ourselves the name of Christ means making and keeping covenants, always remembering Him, and being willing to stand as witnesses of God at all times.
What does it mean to be called by the name of Christ? It means making and keeping covenants, always remembering Him, keeping His commandments, and being "willing … to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things."
- What does it mean to you to take upon yourself the name of Christ?
- How can we ensure that we are "always remembering Him" in our daily lives?
- What are some ways we can stand as witnesses of God in our communities?
- How do the covenants we make help us live as disciples of Christ?
- What are some challenges you face in keeping your covenants, and how do you overcome them?
Prioritize Discipleship Over Worldly Titles
Elder Cuvelier taught that worldly titles yield only temporary value. Discipleship, defined by ordinances, covenants, and love, should be our priority.
Because the journey of discipleship takes time and effort built "line upon line, precept upon precept," it’s easy to get caught up in worldly titles. These yield only temporary value and will never be enough on their own.
- Why do worldly titles often seem more appealing than our identity as disciples?
- How can we shift our focus from worldly titles to discipleship?
- What are some practical ways to prioritize discipleship in our daily routines?
- How does prioritizing discipleship affect our relationships with others?
- In what ways can we help others see the value of discipleship over worldly titles?
Influence of Discipleship on Generations
The story of Elder Cuvelier's great-grandfather illustrates how one person's discipleship can influence generations. A branch president's actions led to Martin Gassner's conversion and the sealing of generations in the temple.
The seed planted by the branch president has produced countless fruit. Little would he have known that 48 years later, several generations of Martin’s family on both sides of the veil would be sealed in the Bern Switzerland Temple.
- How can one person's discipleship influence future generations?
- What are some examples from your life where you’ve seen the impact of someone’s discipleship?
- Why is it important to consider the long-term impact of our discipleship?
- How can we ensure that our actions today set a positive example for future generations?
- What role does the temple play in the legacy of our discipleship?
Live the Gospel Through Simple Acts of Kindness
Elder Cuvelier highlighted that the greatest sermons are often seen in the quiet, unassuming actions of ordinary people who strive to be like Jesus by doing good.
Perhaps the greatest sermons are the ones we never hear but those we see in the quiet, unassuming actions and deeds observed in the lives of ordinary people who, trying to be like Jesus, go about doing good.
- What are some simple acts of kindness that have impacted your life?
- How can we incorporate more acts of kindness into our daily routines?
- Why are these simple acts often more powerful than grand gestures?
- How do small acts of kindness reflect our discipleship?
- What are some barriers to performing these acts, and how can we overcome them?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How does the story of Elder Cuvelier's son and his phone contacts relate to our spiritual identity?
- What are some other names or titles Jesus used for His followers, and what do they mean to you?
- Why is it important to remember the voice by which we are called, as King Benjamin counseled?
- How can we help others recognize their true identity as children of God?
- What role does the Holy Ghost play in helping us remember our covenants and identity?
- In what ways can we support each other in our journey of discipleship?
- How does the example of the branch president in Germany inspire you to serve others?
- What are some ways we can measure our progress in discipleship?
- How can we teach our children to prioritize their identity as disciples of Christ?
- What are some modern-day challenges that make it difficult to prioritize discipleship, and how can we overcome them?
