I had to teach a lesson at church about service.

As part of my planning, I was trying to find the best quotes, scripture stories, and examples.

So I really started to ponder:

How have I personally learned the importance of service?

Story after story popped into my mind of watching my parents, teachers, and leaders and observing how they helped others.

And even more stories popped into my mind of when others had served me in a moment of quiet need.

And then I laughed!

Here I was trying to teach a lesson about service in a classroom through quotes and presentation, when the best way to learn about it is actually by watching others serve.

“We not only teach with words; we teach also by who we are and how we live our lives.” —Thomas S. Monson

In Matthew 10:1, Christ calls all twelve of His disciples.

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”

He gave them the priesthood power to serve and perform miracles!

But how did these disciples know how to use their priesthood power appropriately?!

They had just watched the Savior do all of these same things!

He lived it.

And then He invited them to do the same. ⁣

Are we asking people in our lives to be kind and patient but not giving them the kind and patient example to follow?

Are we asking people we love to study the scriptures without modeling what meaningful scripture study can look like? ⁣

Are we asking people to be more loving, without showing more love to them, too?

Jesus taught by using His words and then living a life that completely backed up and even elaborated on what He said.

Now, we aren’t going to be as perfect as the perfect example.

Have I raised my voice in frustration to yell, “Why can’t we all be calm and happy?!”

Yup.

But we’ve got the goal.

And we can realign and repent and try again over and over.

The best lesson we can ever teach is how we live our lives.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

Share:

Facebook
Pinterest
Email
Print

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

Keep Studying

Related Posts

Asking for help 

Those silly Nephites. ⁣ They were struggling for their lives. They were being slaughtered. Their peace was being destroyed. ⁣ And yet they didn’t call

Church-y Christmas Gift Guide 2024

With the holiday season upon us, are you looking to gift something that is memorable and meaningful?! I have gotten the opportunity to connect with

Team Lead 

After my first year teaching, I felt like I was drowning. ⁣ Teaching middle school was tough. I prayed that there would be some kind

Mormon refused

Mormon refused to be the military leader anymore. Not out of hatred, or disgust, or annoyance. ⁣ But out of love. ⁣ “I… had loved

Remembered 14 years later

MORMON REMEMBERED what Ammaron said to him as a 10-year-old boy. Do you remember anything that someone told you when you were 10 years old?