This week's FHE lesson topic comes from the Come, Follow Mereading in John 13–17. Check out this week's Come, Follow Me study ideas on LDS Living for additional resources and suggestions.
Thought
“The Holy Ghost binds us to the Lord. By divine assignment, He inspires, testifies, teaches, and prompts us to walk in the light of the Lord. We have the sacred responsibility to learn to recognize His influence in our lives and respond.”
(Ronald A. Rasband, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017)
Scripture
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).
Lesson
You will need a poster board and marking pen.
Write a word or sentence in a foreign language on the poster board. Display the sentence and ask if anyone can read it. If no one is able to interpret the sentence, translate it for them. Point out that understanding a foreign language requires time and effort. Discuss what must be done to master another language. Consider the following ideas: desire, commitment, good teachers, textbooks, and use of the new language.
Read John 14:26. Explain that learning to understand the promptings of the Spirit is similar to learning another language. Recognizing the guidance of the Spirit requires time and effort. Discuss ideas that would assist in this process. These might include prayer, fasting, scripture study, pondering, and obeying. As we endeavor to seek and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we will learn to recognize more clearly the still, small voice.
(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Object Lessons Made Easy: Memorable Ideas for Gospel Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010])
Story
Read Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s story of what happened when he followed the prompting of the Spirit:
The Lord has promised, “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.” I began to understand this as a young missionary in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. One hot July morning my companion and I felt prompted to look up a Temple Square referral. We knocked on the door of the Elwood Schaffer home. Mrs. Schaffer politely turned us away. As she began to shut the door, I felt to do something I had never done before and have never done since! I stuck my foot in the door, and I asked, “Is there anyone else who might be interested in our message?” Her 16-year-old daughter, Marti, did have an interest and had fervently prayed for guidance just the day before. Marti met with us, and in time her mother participated in the discussions. Both of them joined the Church. Resulting from Marti’s baptism, 136 people, including many of her own family, have been baptized and made gospel covenants. How grateful I am that I listened to the Spirit and stuck my foot in the door on that hot July day. Marti and a number of her dear family members are here today. (Ronald A. Rasband, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017)