The Savior Taught the Disciples about Leadership

1. Study John 13:1-17; Luke 22:24-30; Mark 10:43-45. Write a paragraph or two about how the application of these teachings makes leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ different from what the world usually describes as leadership.

These scriptures teach about Christ and how He set the example for everyone on how to be a leader. Even though He is our Savior and our Master, He still was humble and served everyone and even died for us. In our Church, leaders such as the prophet, apostles, bishops, etc. lead in the same way. They are just ordinary people who have been called of God to help lead us in the right direction. These leaders are not paid; they do it out of faith in Heavenly Father and they do it out of love. Most leaders in the world want to be above everyone else and feel entitled to certain things because of their leadership position. But the leaders in the Church try to stay at everyone else's level and they try to serve us instead of always wanting others to serve them.

2. Write a paragraph or two about a time when one of your Church leaders or someone in the scriptures served and led in the way Jesus Christ taught.

I did not know him personally, but a man named Clay Sannar who grew up in my hometown is an example to me of what a true leader is. Clay served as a bishop in California until one day he was shot and killed inside a Church building. When the intruder came in, Clay made an effort to get everyone out of the building while he was left alone with the man with a gun. He tried to help others to safety when he could have just tried to get away himself. His life was unfortunately taken away from him, right inside his office in the church. This story was almost unbelievable to me the first time I heard it. He is a great example to me of what a leader should be. He didn't expect others to help him get out safely just because he was the bishop, he instead took charge and put his own safety last. He is a great example of a follower of Christ, and I hope that I can live my life in a way that he did, faithfully serving our Savior Jesus Christ.

Preparing for the Savior's Second Coming

1. Review Mark 13:5, 9, 23, 33, 35, 37 and identify the words take heed and watch in each verse. List at least three things from this chapter that believers could watch for in order to be prepared to meet the Lord. In order to be prepared to meet the Lord, believers need to watch for false prophets, rumors of war, and natural disasters.

2. Explain in writing any other additional truths that are taught in the following references about how to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

• Doctrine and Covenants 87:8: Stand in holy places
• Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:32: Abominations of desolation will take place
• Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:37: Read the scriptures and treasure the Lord's words
• Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:46-50: Watch for the Lord and be prepared, be faithful
• Doctrine and Covenants 33:17: Have faith and be prepared
• Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57: Listen to the Holy Spirit and use Him as a guide

The Widow's Mites (Mark 12:41-44)

1. Review Mark 12:41-44. Write an explanation of how the widow lived what the Savior taught in Mark 12:28-30. Verses 28-30 teach us that the first commandment is to love the Lord thy God with all our heart. The widow lived this by giving up all she had as a sacrifice unto the Lord. She showed love by having faith that if she made that sacrifice that she would be blessed for it. She knew what the Lord asked of her was more important than any worldly possession.

2. Even though the widow gave less money than wealthier people gave, according to Mark 12:44, how much of what she had did she give? Write a paragraph describing what this teaches about what constitutes an acceptable offering to the Lord. How does 2 Nephi 25:23 apply to what the widow did? The widow gave all that she had, she gave her whole living. The widow teaches us that we must have enough faith and love for the Lord that we would be willing to give up all that we have. Even though she only gave two mites, it was worth more than the rich man's great treasure because it was everything she had. The Lord accepts the offerings that we make when it is made with great love and faith. Just like in 2 Nephi 25:23, the widow is setting an example for everyone else about how we can show our love and faith to Christ. Christ gave up His life for us, so we are in great debt to Him.

3. Write two or three sentences describing a way, aside from the donation of money, that you could better follow the widow's example of sacrifice and obedience. I can better follow the example of the widow by dedicating more time during my day toward worshiping my Savior. I know that if I spend more time reading my scriptures and pondering the atonement during the day that I will be more able to have the Spirit with me and show my love to Him. He has done so much for me and I owe Him so much.

Earthly and Heavenly Rewards (Matthew 19:16-30; 20:1-16)

1. Review Matthew 19:16-30 and write responses to the following questions and tasks:

• What indications can you find that suggest why the young man decided not to follow the Savior? How does Matthew 6:19-24 help explain his choice? The young man decided not to follow the Savior because he was not willing to give up his worldly posessions.



• What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him? The Savior promises eternal life to those who sacrifice to follow Him, and that they will be able to sit upon a throne with the Savior.



• Based on the Savior's response to Peter, write a paragraph that could help you put the Lord first in your life. I can put the Lord first in my life by sacrificing more of my time for others. Too often I get caught up in the things I have to do in my own life that I forget about others and the trials that they may be going through. But I know that if I learn to serve others instead of myself that I will ultimately be serving my Savior.
  

2. Review the parable in Matthew 20:1-16 and consider what rewards come to those who serve in the Lord's kingdom. From this parable I learned that it doesn't matter if you serve more than other people; you will still get the same rewards as they who did less. Service is not about the reward you receive, but it's about who you serve and the feeling that you get from that service.

3. Respond to the following questions:

• What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord's kingdom? From this parable we learn that it's not about the amount of service we do, or about the reward we will receive after our service. It is about serving and helping others become better people, which will make us better people as well.



• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church? Converts can find comfort in this parable because they have not been members their whole lives, but that doesn't mean that they won't be able to receive the same blessings as those of us who were born into the Church. Converts can expect the same blessings as every other member of the Church.



• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally? I would tell them that it is great that they have put in so much effort into serving others, but that it doesn't entitle them to greater rewards. Those who still serve others but in smaller amounts still deserve the Lord's love and acknowledgement.

Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ

1. Read Luke 10:38-42; 11:1-13; 12:13-40; 13:23-24; 14:16-33. Make a list of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and what the Savior taught about counting the costs of following Him.

• Praying to Heavenly Father
• Not having a doubtful mind
• Be an example to others
• Be prepared for when the Savior comes again
• Bring other souls unto Christ through missionary work
• Stay on the straight and narrow path
• Keep the commandments

2. Identify one of the teachings from your list that you would like to apply more fully in your life. Write a paragraph about how you could apply that teaching and what difference you believe it would make in your life.

I think something that I need to work on is becoming prepared for when the Savior comes again. No one knows when the day will come when Christ comes to earth, and so it could be at any time. There are so many things that I need to improve on in my life that sometimes I wonder if I would be ready if He came to earth today. Food storage is something that I could work on as well. It's hard to have food storage when you are in college because you barely have enough money for every day food. But I know that food storage is important because we have been commanded to do it. I think that if I work every day to become a better person that I can be better prepared for when the Savior comes. I know if I keep God's commandments and do my best to stay on the straight and narrow path, the Lord will bless me and give me opportunities to do good.

3. Read Luke 14:33; Omni 1:26; Mosiah 2:34; Matthew 13: 44-46. Explain in writing what is ultimately required to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ we must be willing to submit everything we have to the Lord. No worldly possessions that we have on this earth mean as much as returning to our Heavenly Father in heaven, so why let those get in the way? We will not be able to take those possessions up to heaven. Our character defines who we are, not the things we own. Being willing to sacrifice everything we have shows our Heavenly Father that we worship Him, and not the world.