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
