Choose Jesus Christ as Your Guide
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Invite class members to think about a time when they had to rely on someone who knew the way better than they did. Ask a few to briefly share what made that guide trustworthy. Then connect their responses to Elder Rowe’s story about following Winta and his invitation to choose Jesus Christ as our guide.
- Begin by writing on the board: “Where he goes, you go. Where he steps, you step.” Ask the class what that phrase suggests about discipleship. After a short discussion, explain that Elder Rowe used this image to teach how closely we need to follow the Savior.
- Show a picture of a path, footprints, or the Savior. Ask class members what dangers exist when people try to travel alone spiritually. Then introduce the talk’s central comparison between physical land mines and spiritual land mines.
- Invite the class to silently consider the question, “How has Jesus Christ guided me personally?” Give them a minute to ponder, then ask a few to share. This can help create a reverent, testimony-centered discussion about the Savior’s personal involvement in our lives.
- Because the talk was given on Easter, begin by asking, “How does the Resurrection change the way we think about Christ as our guide and healer?” Let the class respond briefly, then transition into Elder Rowe’s testimony that the resurrected Christ not only guides us but heals us.
Topics
Follow trusted guidance through dangerous places
Elder Rowe began with an experience from his work in a former war zone, where hidden land mines made travel dangerous. He was instructed to follow his guide exactly, stepping where the guide stepped. That experience taught him the importance of trusting someone who knew the terrain and prepared the way.
Carefully follow your guide. Winta knows this border area from personal experience. Walk in his footsteps a few paces behind him. Where he goes, you go. Where he steps, you step.
- What stood out to you about Elder Rowe’s experience with Winta?
- Why do you think following the guide exactly was so important in that setting?
- What spiritual dangers today feel like “hidden land mines” in our lives?
- When have you been protected because you followed inspired counsel, even if you did not fully understand the danger?
- What can keep us from trusting a guide who truly knows the way?
- How can this story help us teach our families about the need to follow Jesus Christ closely?
Choose Jesus Christ as your perfect guide
Elder Rowe taught that just as he needed Winta in a dangerous physical setting, all of us need Jesus Christ to guide us through life’s spiritual dangers. He said the Savior’s invitation to follow Him is constant, consistent, and extended to everyone. No one needs to walk alone because Christ invites all to come unto Him.
Brothers and sisters, as much as I needed Winta to be my guide then, I’ve learned, more importantly, that I need Jesus Christ to be my guide through life’s journey amid its spiritual land mines. All of us do.
- What did Elder Rowe teach about why every person needs Jesus Christ as a guide?
- How have you seen the Savior guide you through spiritual dangers?
- What does it mean to you that Christ’s invitation is for all and that He denies none?
- How can remembering that “no one need walk alone” strengthen someone who feels isolated or discouraged?
- What are some ways people try to guide themselves instead of choosing Jesus Christ?
- How can we more deliberately choose the Savior as our guide each day?
Walk in the Savior’s footsteps
Elder Rowe taught that Jesus Christ perfectly obeyed the Father and set the example we are to follow. As we strive to do what He did, He strengthens and protects us from Satan’s spiritual land mines. Following Christ is not just admiring Him; it is walking where He walks and living as He taught.
Jesus Christ was completely obedient to the Father and declared: “I have set an example for you.” “That which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do.”
- What does it mean in practical terms to walk in the Savior’s footsteps?
- Why is Christ’s example a source of both direction and protection?
- What are some specific ways we can follow the Savior more closely in our homes, callings, and relationships?
- When have you felt strengthened as you tried to follow the Savior’s example?
- How does obedience become easier when we focus on the Savior rather than just on rules?
- What part of the Savior’s example do you feel impressed to follow more fully right now?
Trust the Savior’s personal guidance
Elder Rowe emphasized that although the Atonement is infinite, the Savior’s invitation is individual. Jesus Christ suffered for each person personally and knows each person’s strengths, weaknesses, and circumstances. Because He knows us perfectly, He can guide us in ways that are deeply personal and exactly suited to our needs.
In short, He knows you personally and thus how to guide you based on your distinct strengths, weaknesses, and circumstances.
- Why is it important to know that Jesus Christ guides us personally, not just generally?
- How have you felt that the Savior understood your individual needs?
- What difference does it make to know that Christ took upon Himself your pains and heartaches personally?
- How can we become more spiritually sensitive to the Savior’s personal guidance?
- What experiences have helped you trust that the Lord knows your circumstances better than anyone else does?
- How can this doctrine help someone who feels unseen or misunderstood?
Stay on the covenant path with Christ
Elder Rowe taught that while each person’s life path is unique, it should remain within the covenant path, which is Christ’s path. He said we connect ourselves to Jesus Christ as our guide through faith, repentance, and making sacred covenants. The covenant path is where we safely follow Him.
Though our paths in life are unique, each is to be within the covenant path. For that is Christ’s path.
- What did Elder Rowe teach about the relationship between our unique life paths and the covenant path?
- How do faith in Christ, repentance, and covenants connect us more firmly to the Savior?
- Why do you think the covenant path is described as Christ’s path?
- What helps you stay anchored to the covenant path during busy or difficult seasons of life?
- How have your covenants helped you feel guided by the Savior?
- What might we do this week to be more intentional about living on the covenant path?
Meet the Savior in holy places
Elder Rowe explained that we follow in the Savior’s footsteps within the covenant path by being in holy places and having sacred experiences. He specifically mentioned the temple, the sacrament, prayer, scripture study, and ministering. As we spend more time with our guide in these ways, our relationship with Him and the Father deepens.
We follow in His footsteps within the covenant path by being in holy places, like the temple, and by having sacred experiences through partaking of the sacrament, praying, studying the scriptures, and ministering to others.
- Why do holy places and sacred practices help us follow the Savior more closely?
- Which of the practices Elder Rowe listed has most helped you feel guided by Christ?
- How does ministering to others help us walk with the Savior?
- What can we do to make the sacrament, prayer, or scripture study more sacred and personal?
- How has the temple helped you strengthen your bond with the Savior?
- What changes could we make in our routines to spend more time with our guide?
Let Christ change your nature
Elder Rowe taught that as people spend time with the Savior and strive to follow Him, they feel His love, receive His strength, and develop greater trust in Him. He said that even their very natures change to become more like Him. This process brings deeper joy, love, and gratitude.
We will feel the Savior’s love, be blessed with His strength, and have greater trust in Him. Even our very natures will change to become more like Him.
- What changes did Elder Rowe say come as we spend more time with the Savior?
- How have you seen the Lord gradually change your nature?
- Why do love, trust, and gratitude grow together in discipleship?
- What helps us recognize spiritual growth that may be happening slowly?
- How does becoming more like Christ bring greater joy?
- What attribute of the Savior would you most like to develop more fully?
Return to Christ for healing
Elder Rowe acknowledged that while Christ is a perfect guide, we are imperfect followers. Because all have sinned, Heavenly Father provided a Savior, and through the Atonement Jesus Christ received power to heal completely those who return to Him. Elder Rowe testified from personal experience that Christ’s redeeming and healing power is real.
When injured by spiritual land mines, I have experienced Christ’s redeeming and healing power by exercising faith in Him and repenting with real intent.
- Why was it important that Elder Rowe openly acknowledged that we are imperfect followers?
- What did he teach about the connection between repentance and healing?
- How does the image of “spiritual land mines” help us understand sin, wounds, and recovery?
- When have you felt the Savior’s healing power in your life?
- What does it mean to repent with real intent?
- How can we help others feel hope in Christ’s power to heal rather than shame over their imperfections?
Accept the Savior’s extended hand
Elder Rowe testified that Jesus Christ is not only a guide but also the resurrected Redeemer and Master Healer. He emphasized that no matter how injured, imperfect, or inadequate a person feels, the Savior’s merciful hand is extended now. His invitation is immediate, loving, and full of hope.
No matter how injured you are or how imperfect and inadequate you feel at following Him, He loves you. His merciful hand is extended to you even now. Please take it!
- What feelings arise when you hear Elder Rowe’s plea to take the Savior’s hand?
- Why do people sometimes hesitate to return to Christ when they most need healing?
- How does the Resurrection add power to Elder Rowe’s testimony of Christ as healer?
- What can we do to help others feel that the Savior’s mercy is available now?
- How have you felt the Lord reaching toward you in a time of weakness or pain?
- What invitation from this talk do you feel is most urgent for you personally?
Additional Discussion Questions
- What do you think Elder Rowe most wanted us to understand about Jesus Christ?
- How does the story of Winta deepen your understanding of discipleship?
- Which phrase from the talk would be most helpful to someone facing fear or uncertainty?
- How can we better distinguish the Savior’s voice from other influences in the world?
- What role does trust play in following Jesus Christ?
- How do covenants help us stay close enough to the Savior to follow in His footsteps?
- What are some spiritual habits that help us avoid danger before we even see it?
- How can we teach children and youth to rely on Jesus Christ as their personal guide?
- What does this talk teach about the relationship between guidance, repentance, and healing?
- What is one specific thing you feel inspired to do because of Elder Rowe’s message?
