How Leaders can help children, youth and adults
Become devoted disciples of Christ
I LOVE this topic...but in al honesty...I wish I really knew how to help others become devoted disciples of Christ..because that is definitely my desire but thanks to the beautiful gift of agency, this isn’t as easy as I would like! I definitely have loved ones that I wish I knew how I could help them become devoted disciples of Christ. But as I have pondered and studied and prayed about this topic, I have felt inspired to share three things that can allow us to have a positive influence on those around us and that may lead them to desire to become a devoted disciple of Christ.
First, WE need to be devoted disciples of Christ. My most favorite talk ever is The First Great Commandment by Elder Holland...it changed the trajectory of my life. He said, “What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world.”
Elder Holland continued: ““If ye love me, keep my commandments,”14 Jesus said. So we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord. We can’t quit and we can’t go back. After an encounter with the living Son of the living God, nothing is ever again to be as it was before. The Crucifixion, Atonement, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ mark the beginning of a Christian life, not the end of it. It was this truth, this reality, that allowed a handful of Galilean fishermen-turned-again-Apostles without “a single synagogue or sword”15 to leave those nets a second time and go on to shape the history of the world in which we now live.”
WE must set an example that others can follow. IN April 2017, Elder Hales gave a talk called Becoming a Disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ that has been influential in my life. Elder Hales said, "Genuine discipleship is a state of being. This suggests more than studying and applying a list of individual attributes. Disciples live so that the characteristics of Christ are woven into the fiber of their beings, as into a spiritual tapestry.” I love that thought..having Christlike attributes woven into the very fiber of my being! He also said, “The attributes of the Savior, as we perceive them, are not a script to be followed or list to be checked off. They are interwoven characteristics, added one to another, which develop in us in interactive ways. In other words, we cannot obtain one Christlike characteristic without also obtaining and influencing others. As one characteristic becomes strong, so do many more.” So, we need to be seeking to develop Christlike attributes such as love, mercy, forgiveness, wisdom, patience, and meekness. And as we seek to develop one attribute, we will necessarily develop others. And people will be drawn to the light and love and goodness that become part of who we are.
Elder Hales continued: “Brothers and sisters, now more than ever, we cannot be a “part-time disciple”! We cannot be a disciple on just one point of doctrine or another. The constellation of characteristics that result from faith in Christ......—are all necessary to our standing strong in these last days.
As we earnestly strive to be true disciples of Jesus Christ, these characteristics will be interwoven, added upon, and interactively strengthened in us. There will be no disparity between the kindness we show our enemies and the kindness we bestow on our friends. We will be as honest when no one is looking as when others are watching. We will be as devoted to God in the public square as we are in our private closet.
I testify that everyone can be a disciple of the Savior. Discipleship is not constrained by age, gender, ethnic origin, or calling. Through our individual discipleship, we, as Latter-day Saints, build up a collective strength to bless our brothers and sisters throughout the world. Now is the time to recommit ourselves to being His disciples with all diligence.”
When we determine to be devoted disciples of Christ and we seek for and pray for Christlike attributes, our example will draw others to Christ.
Second, we must come to see others as God sees them. Each person we serve is a beloved child of God. They have a divine nature and infinite worth. Somtimes it is easy to see this, but sometimes it is HARD. But we can pray to have Eyes to See. Sister Michelle Craig taught: “Columnist David Brooks said: “Many of our society’s great problems flow from people not feeling seen and known. … [There is a] core … trait that we all have to get … better at[, and that] is the trait of seeing each other deeply and being deeply seen.”3
Jesus Christ sees people deeply. He sees individuals, their needs, and who they can become. Where others saw fishermen, sinners, or publicans, Jesus saw disciples; where others saw a man possessed by devils, Jesus looked past the outward distress, acknowledged the man, and healed him.4
Even in our busy lives, we can follow the example of Jesus and see individuals—their needs, their faith, their struggle, and who they can become.”
A week and a half ago, many of us were able to attend leadership training meetings. Sister Kristin M. Yee taught us at the Relief Society meeting. It was WONDERFUL. I sat on the second row with my ward’s RS presidency and so as we were leaving, we had the opportunity to speak to Sister Yee for a couple of minutes. She expressed her love and reminded us that WE have been called to serve at this time in this position because we have the gifts that are needed right now in this time and place. Then she hugged us and something profound happened. She hugged me tight and whispered some words to me that were PRECISELY what I needed to hear in that moment, just days after receiving a new call to serve in the stake RS presidency. She said things that were unique to me and in that moment I felt so seen and known and loved. And as I left, I thought...if I can help others I serve to feel that seen and known and loved, then I will have magnified my call. That requires the Spirit and that requires time and ministering one on one. But in that moment, I wanted so much to be a disciple that followed Christ in every word and every act. And I wanted to help others feel what I felt and know that they, too, are known and loved. When we feel deeply known and loved, we naturally want to become our best selves and we want to reach out to others to share that love with them. As leaders, we can take time to minister one by one and to help others feel seen and known and encircled in love. This is perhaps the most important thing we can do to help others become devoted disciples of Christ.
Finally, we can teach of Christ. President Nelson has said, “Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him!” And that is also true for those we serve. Whatever their challenges, questions or problems...the answer is found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We can talk of Christ, teach of Christ, rejoice in Christ and seek to point others to Christ. We can help make sure that every lesson centers around Christ. We can bring up Christ as we minister. We can talk about Christ in ministering interviews and in visits and in our testimonies. And in order to talk of Christ and teach of Christ, WE need to be learning more about Him. We need to be studying and praying and living as a disciple. Which brings us full circle
While we can’t force anyone to become a disciple, I believe that these three things can inspire many others around us to WANT to be converted and become disciples of our Savior. We can LIVE as disciples ourselves, we can love and see others clearly, and we can teach and point others to Christ.
