Describe the ships that the people of Jared were commanded to build.
What were some of the problems that they had?
What does faith mean?
How would you describe someone with great faith?
What characteristics would they have?
What characteristics would someone with no or little faith have?
It is impossible for one person to be able to evaluate another person’s faith. That is only something that God can do. Here are four scenarios that we will use to look at the attributes of faith that a person has. This is not to judge someone else’s faith it is to look at what attributes a faithful person may have.
Nadre does not enjoy reading the scriptures. He claims they are boring. He does not pray much either. He says that he gets much closer to the Lord by going on nature walks and meditating than by studying and praying.
Auggi studies the scriptures and doctrines constantly. In fact, he would rather read and study than just about anything. He feels that he gets much more out of reading and studying than he does going to meetings and home teaching. He hasn’t been home teaching in months, but he does not feel that it matters much if he diligently studies the gospel.
Mori tries hard to apply what he studies in the scriptures and Church publications. He knows he is far from perfect but also believes that it is important to strive to always live the gospel. He prays regularly for divine help to grow more obedient and spiritually stronger.
Sonya gives up! She is tired of all the expectations make of her. She has tried hard to be perfect for years but has found she just can’t do it all on her own. She has become very bitter.
Discuss scenarios
James 2:14-20
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?What characteristics of the faithful are noted in these verses?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Which of the people in the examples resembles these characteristics best?
Who in the scriptures had this kind of faith?
Do you know anyone personally who has this kind of faith?
Ether 3:1-6
Look for characteristics of faith in the Brother of Jared
• He went to work making the stones and brought them to the Lord (v.1)
• He expressed deep humility over his weakness and fallen nature (v.2-3)
• He testified that God has all power (v.4-5)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:
“For all of his self-abasement, the faith of the brother of Jared was immediately apparent-in fact, we might better say transparent in light of the purpose for which the stones would be used. Obviously Jehovah found something striking in the childlike innocence and fervor of this man’s faith. ‘Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this.’ In a sense there may be no more powerful expression of faith spoken in scripture. It is almost as if the brother of Jared was encouraging him, reassuring him. Not ‘Behold, O Lord, I am sure thou canst do this.’ Not ‘Behold, O Lord, thou hast done many greater things than this.’ However uncertain the prophet was about his own ability, he had no uncertainty about God’s power. This was nothing but a single, assertive declaration with no hint of vacillation. It was encouragement to him who needs no encouragement but who surely must have been touched by it. ‘Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this.’” (Christ and the New Covenant, 17).
No comments:
Post a Comment