Seek Ye the Kingdom of God
Jacob 1-4
Attention Activity: Magnify ones calling - what does it mean? (Show magnifying glass - example of making things more visible/understandable etc.)
Think of a magnifying glass. What does a magnifying glass do? The word "magnify" means to enlarge, to increase in significance, to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect.
What does it mean to "magnify" a calling in the Church?
Have you ever had a calling you did not "magnify"... why do you think so?
Today were going to talk a bit about magnification of a calling and the responsibilities of stewardship - specifically that of a teacher/priest such as Jacob.
Last week we read the last words of Nephi and his last testimony to us from him.
It has been 55 years since Lehi left Jerusalem - Nephi has selected someone to be king.
Notice that it doesn't speak anything concening Nephi's children... was it his son annointed king?
It doesn't seem likely that Jacob or Joseph were chosen as king due to their calling as priests and teachers...
Jacob 1:9-12
The people desire to remember how awesome Nephi was so they name all the kings Nephi instead of whatever name they are.
Nephi used the sword of Laban in defense of his people.
Notice Nephi himself went out and defended his people with his own sword.
Jacob 1:13-14
Jacob explains that there were many people in the land each group of people called by a name - a tribe.
Such as Nephites, Jacobites, Josephites, etc. He will call people friendly to the people of Nephi Nephites.
There were many, many different groups in the area of the Book of Mormon. These people didn't go by the name Nephites or Lamanites in their interactions with each other. We have no idea what the true political, social economic situation of the environment only that there were some people who were friendly to the people of Nephi, and others who weren't.
Jacob 1:15-16
They indulged themselves somewhat in wicked practices - desiring many wives and concubines.
They began to search much gold and silver, and were lifted up in pride.
This seems to be common start of the pride cycle in the Book of Mormon:
Prosperity - indulgence/wickedness/pride - Prophets wan - Destruction ->Prosperity
Jacob 1:17-19, D&C 58:26-29
Jacob receives his errand from the Lord - he was consecrated priest/teacher by the hand of Nephi.
We do
Taking upon us the
Answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not
Otherwise their
What does it mean to magnify our office? (We talked about this earlier - but in Jacob's context?)
What are some specific examples of how we can magnify our office?
Jacob 1-4
Attention Activity: Magnify ones calling - what does it mean? (Show magnifying glass - example of making things more visible/understandable etc.)
Think of a magnifying glass. What does a magnifying glass do? The word "magnify" means to enlarge, to increase in significance, to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect.
What does it mean to "magnify" a calling in the Church?
Have you ever had a calling you did not "magnify"... why do you think so?
Today were going to talk a bit about magnification of a calling and the responsibilities of stewardship - specifically that of a teacher/priest such as Jacob.
Nephi completes his record - review
Last week we read the last words of Nephi and his last testimony to us from him.
It has been 55 years since Lehi left Jerusalem - Nephi has selected someone to be king.
Notice that it doesn't speak anything concening Nephi's children... was it his son annointed king?
It doesn't seem likely that Jacob or Joseph were chosen as king due to their calling as priests and teachers...
Jacob 1:9-12
The people desire to remember how awesome Nephi was so they name all the kings Nephi instead of whatever name they are.
Nephi used the sword of Laban in defense of his people.
How should a leader lead his people - during war?
Notice Nephi himself went out and defended his people with his own sword.
Many tribes in the land - many people
Jacob 1:13-14
Jacob explains that there were many people in the land each group of people called by a name - a tribe.
Such as Nephites, Jacobites, Josephites, etc. He will call people friendly to the people of Nephi Nephites.
There were many, many different groups in the area of the Book of Mormon. These people didn't go by the name Nephites or Lamanites in their interactions with each other. We have no idea what the true political, social economic situation of the environment only that there were some people who were friendly to the people of Nephi, and others who weren't.
The people of Nephi become somewhat Wicked.
Jacob 1:15-16
They indulged themselves somewhat in wicked practices - desiring many wives and concubines.
They began to search much gold and silver, and were lifted up in pride.
This seems to be common start of the pride cycle in the Book of Mormon:
Prosperity - indulgence/wickedness/pride - Prophets wan - Destruction ->Prosperity
Jacob called and preaches in the temple - Magnify our Calling
Jacob 1:17-19, D&C 58:26-29
Jacob receives his errand from the Lord - he was consecrated priest/teacher by the hand of Nephi.
We do
Magnify
our office unto the LordTaking upon us the
Responsibility
Answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not
Teach
them with allDilligence
Laboring with our might
their blood might not come upon our garmentsOtherwise their
Blood
would be upon our garments and we would not be spotless at the last day!What does it mean to magnify our office? (We talked about this earlier - but in Jacob's context?)
What are some specific examples of how we can magnify our office?
As a teacher we should: This is how I try and magnify my calling as a teacher
Lean, Live, and be an example of a true disciple of Jesus Christ, teach from lessons of own life.
Provide insight/instruction in as clear a manner as possible to the doctrines of Jesus Christ.
Do not shy away from what is in the actual scripture text - teach it and explain even if it isn't in the provided lessons
Teach by the spirit - bringing ones personality and understanding into the lessons
Bear testimony of the truthfullness of the doctrines
Follow good teaching practices:
Provide insight/instruction in as clear a manner as possible to the doctrines of Jesus Christ.
Do not shy away from what is in the actual scripture text - teach it and explain even if it isn't in the provided lessons
Teach by the spirit - bringing ones personality and understanding into the lessons
Bear testimony of the truthfullness of the doctrines
Follow good teaching practices:
use attention activities
encourage participation and questions (if the class does most of the talking thats a success!)
If you don't know the answer say so
doctrine/answers should be based upon standard works - not commentaries
personalize the instruction to the current class
think on your feet - and chanell the discussion to the doctrines to be covered (keep class under control)
Avoid long readings/videos or things that can cause class to lose attention.
encourage participation and questions (if the class does most of the talking thats a success!)
If you don't know the answer say so
doctrine/answers should be based upon standard works - not commentaries
personalize the instruction to the current class
think on your feet - and chanell the discussion to the doctrines to be covered (keep class under control)
Avoid long readings/videos or things that can cause class to lose attention.
Students should be glad they were in your class - they should be excited by the doctrines and their application/discussion
Avoid contention in any form
Avoid contention in any form
Common ways that a calling/office is magnified:
Lean what the responsibilites of the calling entail - handbook/leaders etc.
Be organized - do not shirk responsibilities - or delegate them all to others
Seek the spirit and follow the promptings
Testify of Jesus Christ and his doctrine
Have faith that the Lord qualifies those that he calls
Get set apart
Be organized - do not shirk responsibilities - or delegate them all to others
Seek the spirit and follow the promptings
Testify of Jesus Christ and his doctrine
Have faith that the Lord qualifies those that he calls
Get set apart
What do you think it means to take upon himself the responsibility - what responsibility is this?(answering sins of people upon himself..)
In what way are we responsible for people in our stewardships? Who are these people?
As a teacher we are responsible to teach correct principles/doctrines so that individuals are accountable for their own choices without excuse. If we do not do this we are not responsible for the sins of the individual our selves but rather are responsible for not teaching that individual what we know is right/wrong. A person is only responsible for their own choices/actions they are not responsible for others. However, we are responsible for the influence or lack thereof we have on others.
In what way will individuals blood be upon our garments, and what does that mean?
We are responsible in some part for thier continuance in bad behavior/sin because we did not teach them that their current behavor is incorrect in the sight of God.
Should this be our motivation? Save ourselves even if others are condemned?
No - our motivations/desires should be for the welfare of their souls not the salvation of our own!
Mosiah 18:8-9 The fold of God - bears one anothers burdens that they are light, mouns with those that moun, comforts those that need comfort - cares about them!
Jacob 2:3-4 Jacob is weighed down with anxiety for the
Jacob 2:5-6 He is telling them concening their thoughts and intents - that are begining to labor in sin
They weren't actually doing this yet... but he knew they were considering it. (vs 4)
In what way are we responsible for people in our stewardships? Who are these people?
As a teacher we are responsible to teach correct principles/doctrines so that individuals are accountable for their own choices without excuse. If we do not do this we are not responsible for the sins of the individual our selves but rather are responsible for not teaching that individual what we know is right/wrong. A person is only responsible for their own choices/actions they are not responsible for others. However, we are responsible for the influence or lack thereof we have on others.
In what way will individuals blood be upon our garments, and what does that mean?
We are responsible in some part for thier continuance in bad behavior/sin because we did not teach them that their current behavor is incorrect in the sight of God.
Should this be our motivation? Save ourselves even if others are condemned?
No - our motivations/desires should be for the welfare of their souls not the salvation of our own!
Mosiah 18:8-9 The fold of God - bears one anothers burdens that they are light, mouns with those that moun, comforts those that need comfort - cares about them!
Jacobs discourse in the temple - their thoughts were laboring in sin:
Jacob 2:3-4 Jacob is weighed down with anxiety for the
welfare
of their souls - they have as of yet been obedientJacob 2:5-6 He is telling them concening their thoughts and intents - that are begining to labor in sin
How did Jacob know the thoughts of the people?
They weren't actually doing this yet... but he knew they were considering it. (vs 4)
How does this relate to our generation? In what way is the thoughts and intents of the heart causing sin?
Lust - Ponography - seeking for things of world and not God -
Pride - Comparison with others in own mind
Rebellion - Our ideas are better than our leaders - they are behind the times etc.
Disobedience - That law doesn't apply to me in my situation
Pride - Comparison with others in own mind
Rebellion - Our ideas are better than our leaders - they are behind the times etc.
Disobedience - That law doesn't apply to me in my situation
Why would Jacob talk about this to them - they hadn't done anything yet? (Nip it in the bud before it blooms... :))
Can our thoughts and intents of our heart be sins?
Alma 12:14 Our words, works, thoughts will condemn us
Mosiah 4:30 Watch your thoughts, words, deeds and be obedient to end of life
Prov. 23:7 As a man thinketh in his heart - so is he
How do we control our thoughts?
You think about what you see! - what choices do we make concening our media - R rated movies - Ponography - Video Games - Social Media
You think about what you hear! - book choices, song choices, etc.
You think about what you think! - what do you think about when no one else is around - do you ponder the things of God or the world
You think about what you feel! - what is your most common feeling - consider if it is a good emotion or bad
You think about what you hear! - book choices, song choices, etc.
You think about what you think! - what do you think about when no one else is around - do you ponder the things of God or the world
You think about what you feel! - what is your most common feeling - consider if it is a good emotion or bad
Techniques of thought control:
Distraction - switch your mind to something else - via music, scriptures, leaving situation, etc.