FHE: Trying to Be Like Jesus

Discussion:
(from May 1999 Friend http://lds.org/friend/1999/05/sharing-time-follow-jesus-christ?lang=eng)
We talk a lot about trying to be like Jesus and following His example, so how do we really do that?

When Jesus Christ lived on the earth, He set a perfect example for us to follow in treating other people. He said, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). He showed us at least three things that each of us can do: He was kind. He loved everyone. He served others.

I can be kind. Jesus taught that we can share what we have with others. We can visit people who are sick. We can make someone who is new feel welcome. Jesus did these things, and we can, too. He said that when we do these things for others, we are doing it for Him (see Matt. 25:40). When we share with others, we are not just sharing with them—we are sharing with Him. When we visit others, it is as if we are also visiting Him. When we make others feel welcome, we are making Him feel welcome, too. Surely that is why being kind helps us to have a good feeling and to feel close to our Savior.

I can love everyone. When Jesus knew that He was about to be crucified, He gave His disciples a most important commandment—to love one another the same way He loved them. He told them that people would know that they were His disciples if they followed this commandment. People will know that we are followers of Jesus Christ when they see that we are trying to love everyone.

I can serve others. Jesus spent His whole life serving others. He even gave His life for others—for us. He taught that the greatest among us would be those who serve others as He did (see Matt. 23:11). That is hard for some people to understand. They think that if everyone serves them, it means that they are very important. Jesus Christ taught a better way—to serve others by helping them, by comforting them, by treating them as He treated others.

Activity:

Read the scenarios and scripture references from the September 1990 Friend http://lds.org/friend/1990/09/sharing-time-try-to-be-like-jesus?lang=eng and decide how to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

Story:

Read about how being kind and unselfish makes us happy in "The Best Summer Day". http://lds.org/friend/2009/06/the-best-summer-day?lang=eng

Testimony:

-We can follow the example of Jesus Christ by being kind, by showing our love to others, and by serving.

-As we follow the example of Jesus Christ and try to make others feel good, we will be happy also.

FHE: To Do AND to Be

I really enjoyed Elder Lynn G. Robbins talk in April 2011 General Conference entitled "What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?"

Discussion:
We often talk about things that we should do to try to be like Jesus.  List some of these things we "do".

Discuss the importance of "being" in addition to "doing" using examples from some of the things listed above.  (For example: reading scriptures daily is great, but if we don't learn and apply what we read, it doesn't help us become better.  Taking the sacrament is meaningful when we not only "do", but also "be" by applying the atonement in our lives.  If we go through the motions of saying our prayers without really thinking about what we're saying or who we're talking to, it isn't effective.)

What makes our actions (or the things we "do") meaningful and worthwhile is when we do it for the right reasons--when it is part of who we are (the "be").  When we help others because we care, when we go to church because we want to take the sacrament and learn about Jesus, etc. we aren't just "doing" good things, we are "becoming" more like Jesus Christ. "Do" and "be" go hand in hand.  As we "do" good things for the right reasons, we will "become" better people.

Following Jesus Christ's example and "doing" what He asks (keeping the commandments) is important, but in addition to "doing", we need to focus on trying to "become" like Him. 

Scripture Story:
Review the story of the Stripling Warriors (GAK 313, Alma 53:20-21; 56:44-48; 57:21, 26-27; 58:40) and what kind of people they were.  What did they do?  What were they like?  What attributes did they have that you would want to have?

Goal:
Make a list of things that we want to be and discuss how we can practice "being" or applying these attributes.  Heavenly Father wants us to become like Him and will help us.  We can pray for help to develop Christlike attributes.

Have each person take a few minutes to write down one attribute they want to work on and how they will practice that attribute throughout the week. 

I want to be ______________.
Things I can do this week:
1.
2.
3.

Testimony:
-it is important to do good things, but we need to think about why we do them and focus on becoming like the Savior
-Christlike attributes are gifts from our Heavenly Father and we can pray for help to develop them

Activity:
Find a small picture of a bee and make enough copies for everyone to have a couple.  Work together to place the bees around the house in spots where they will be seen often to remind everyone to work on their goals.