Lesson Prepration Guide for "The Good News Recipe"

In his talk "The Good News Recipe," Elder John D. Amos of the Seventy draws a parallel between cooking and living a happy life by following God's guidance as found in the scriptures. Using anecdotes from his life and service as a mission president, Elder Amos emphasizes the importance of inviting Jesus Christ into our lives as the "secret ingredient" for overcoming challenges and achieving spiritual growth.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin by sharing a personal cooking experience where following a recipe led to a successful result, then relate it to following God's recipe for happy living.
Show the short video clip "Scriptures Are God’s Recipes for Happy Living" by President Nelson to introduce the concept of scriptures as a guide for life.
Ask class members to think about a time when a "secret ingredient" improved a recipe or situation in their lives, and discuss how Jesus Christ can be that ingredient in our spiritual lives.
Start with a brief discussion on the importance of following instructions in daily life, such as in cooking, and draw parallels to following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Invite someone to share how they incorporate scripture study into their daily routine and the impact it has on their life.

Topics

Follow God's Recipe for Happy Living

Elder Amos emphasized the importance of following God's recipe for happiness, as outlined in the scriptures. He shared President Nelson's analogy of following a cake recipe to achieve good results, highlighting that the scriptures are the recipe for a happy life.

The simple secret for happy living is to just follow God’s recipe as detailed in the scriptures.

How can the scriptures serve as a recipe for our lives?
What are some "ingredients" found in the scriptures that lead to happiness?
Why is it important to follow God's instructions rather than our own?
How can we apply this concept of a "recipe" to our daily challenges?
What experiences have you had where following the scriptures brought happiness?

Add Jesus Christ as the Secret Ingredient

Elder Amos taught that Jesus Christ is the "secret ingredient" to overcome imperfections and challenges in life. By inviting more of Christ into our lives, we can correct our course and improve our spiritual journey.

The answer is always Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to add more of Jesus Christ into your life?
How can Christ help us when we feel our efforts are not enough?
What are some ways to invite Christ into our daily routines?
How has Christ been a "secret ingredient" in your personal challenges?
In what ways can we rely on Christ when things go wrong?

Practice Charity in Relationships

Elder Amos shared a story of a missionary who improved his companionship through charity. By focusing on small and simple acts of kindness and patience, the missionary was able to enhance his relationship and effectiveness in his work.

So, Elder, is it true that ‘charity never faileth?’ He responded with a big smile, ‘Yes, and by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.’

Why is charity important in our relationships?
How can small and simple acts of kindness impact our relationships?
What challenges do we face in practicing charity, and how can we overcome them?
How can charity improve our effectiveness in our callings and daily lives?
Can you share a time when charity helped resolve a conflict in your life?

Seek Personal Revelation Through Prayer

Elder Amos encouraged following President Nelson's guidance on seeking personal revelation through prayer. This involves finding a quiet place, humbling oneself, and listening for the Spirit's guidance.

As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will ‘grow into the principle of revelation.’

What steps can we take to receive personal revelation?
Why is it important to find a quiet place for prayer?
How can we better listen for the Spirit's guidance in our lives?
What role does personal revelation play in following God's recipe?
How can regular prayer impact our spiritual growth?

Embrace the Atonement for Healing and Progression

Elder Amos testified of Jesus Christ's Atonement as the ultimate means for healing and progression. By learning about His love, mercy, and doctrine, we can find answers to our questions and problems.

Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression.

How can the Atonement of Jesus Christ help us in our personal challenges?
What does it mean to embrace the Atonement for healing?
In what ways can we progress spiritually through Christ's Atonement?
How can understanding Christ's love and mercy change our perspective?
What experiences have you had where the Atonement brought healing or progression?

Additional Discussion Questions

How can the analogy of a recipe help us better understand living the gospel?
What are some 'ingredients' you have found essential in your spiritual life?
How do you determine if something is missing in your spiritual journey?
What role does patience play in following God's recipe?
How can we better recognize the 'whispers' of the Spirit in our lives?
What does it mean to 'hear Him' in the context of personal revelation?
How can we ensure we are following the right 'recipe' in our decision-making?
What are some ways to strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ?
How can we apply the principle of 'small and simple things' in our daily lives?
What lessons can we learn from Elder Amos's experience as a mission president?