Our Role as Participants Third Hour Curriculum Our Role as Participants December 17, 2017

Where can I find information? www.lds.org/manual/come-follow-me www.pgeastsundayschool.com

Why council discussions? We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. -Psalm 55:14 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land. - Isaiah 1:18-19 And now, saith the Lord, by the Spirit…let us reason together that ye may understand; let us reason even as [men and women] reasoneth one with another face to face. -D&C 50: 10-11 Let them take counsel together…there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior…Look unto me and be ye saved. -Isaiah 45:21-22 Elder Ballard’s book “Counseling with Councils” is an excellent primer on how to conduct and participate in councils. Have a notebook to record thoughts to share with the family. Let that be your own handbook.

Implementation RS, HPG, EQ, Bishopric, need to understand what this is (need to read the materials). Ward council needs to discuss how this will be implemented at the ward level under the direction of the ward SSP. Auxiliary leaders need to understand what a council is and how this council is different that a ward council. In reality this is something somewhere between a ward council and a family council. Everyone needs to understand how all of the parts fit together and their role in the process. We need to learn how to “counsel together.” *Challenge, Testify, Act

How does it all fit together each month? Hold Ward Council: Identify needs and assess what was accomplished the previous month Presidencies Prayerfully Consider Needs; activate keys of the presidency Hold 1st Sunday Council Meeting (identify needs; make plans) Presidencies Prayerfully Select 1st and 2nd Sunday Lesson Topics (topics should support plans) Hold 1st and 2nd Sunday Lessons: ((teach, testify, call to action) Hold 4th Sunday Lesson on Sabbath Day: Consider how the Sabbath Day can assist in strengthening topics taught

1st Sunday Council Meeting Empowering quorum and group leaders and members to take ownership of the council in selecting topics for 2nd and 3rd Sunday discussions: Discussion about topics and approaches in ward council. Inspired direction during 1st Sunday council meetings (presidency and members) Prayerful consideration of suggestion course of action based on discussion (presidency). Bring experiences back to subsequent ward council meetings. Ongoing discussion in priesthood and Relief Society meetings.

1st Sunday Council Meeting Envisioning what a group council meeting is: Quorum or group leaders exercise the keys of the presidency with a clearly defined purpose. Leaders understand and encourage counseling together. Leaders draw from prior discussion(s) in ward council to help guide discussions. Members bring inspired ideas and opportunities for outreach.

1st Sunday Council Meeting- Benefits Leaders hear first hand about group needs from inspired comments from council members. Members feel more comfortable contributing, sharing, and feel closer to one another. Members are given a “voice” and are able to contribute. Leaders, teachers, and members are empowered to adapt to local conditions and circumstances.

2-4th Sunday Lessons-Benefits Teaching quality will improve because material is fresh and from the heart. Teachers will feel less pressure to “get through the lesson” and feel empowered to be more open to comments and questions (e.g., less focus on delivering content). There will be less “stand and deliver” lecturing and reading talks out loud. Instead, there will be more conversations and collective learning (all edified of all). D&C 88:122 Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once, but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto [their] sayings that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege. See that he love one another.”

2-4th Sunday Lessons-Benefits Members can get to know others in the quorum or group better as they share experiences and ideas. Teachers have more flexibility and over time will be more comfortable with it. Increased sense of safety to share ideas and experiences as leaders provide a well-directed group discussion. Greater ownership of specific actions and improved quality of discussions (move towards action).

The Promise Getting the “big picture” Members who read the materials are better prepared to become part of the process of “counseling together.” Members who counsel together have cumulative experiences that increase the opportunity for powerful gospel learning. Members who prayerfully consider family and personal needs before the first Sunday meeting receive revelation for their families and friends (Fast Sunday is a unique opportunity to allow the Spirit to provide this direction). Members can benefit from keeping a journal of inspired direction received during council meeting and lessons. This inspiration can flow back and strengthen families. First Sunday council is to discuss needs and provide direction to presidencies as they select the topics needed by their groups. Topics should focus directly on local needs. This means that the needs of the RS, EQ, and HPGL may be different and that’s OK.

Ezekiel 34:14 -16 "14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. 16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.” As this scripture is read, ponder these two questions: In what ways does this describe your life right now? In what ways do you feel driven away, broken, or sick? What does this teach us about the nature of Christ and our Heavenly Parents? LOVE, NURTURE, TENDERNESS But what gets in the way of feeling this love?

Leaders Need Scaffolding “Equip them with correct principles… within those principles and parameters you have a responsibility to act and not be acted upon, then get out of the way” (David A. Bednar, Leadership Enrichment Series, Feb. 2010, 8-9). It’s time to act and not be acted upon!