Believing Christ Ask students to silently work on an assignment while you leave the room. Wait several minutes, and then return and discuss how easy or difficult it is to complete an assignment while unsupervised. give a reading or writing assignment - how many “b’s” can they find in Matthew 5 How much work did you get done while I was out of the room? What distracted you or made it difficult? How would you feel if this assignment were graded? How could you compare this experience to our test during mortality?

Luke 19:11-15 Stewardship Invite students to read Luke 19:12–15 what’s in common with the activity at the beginning of class and this scripture passage? Click for title: Stewardship. The Lord will hold us accountable for how we respond to the stewardships he has entrusted to us. Stewardship: the conducting, supervising or managing of something; especially : the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving: In Gen Conf 2002 President James E. Faust used a child’s story as he was discussing and teaching the principles in these verses - but instead of just telling you the story - I thought it might be fun to watch it - so I found you a child’s video of the story you probably haven’t heard in years - It’s a little silly - so it’s okay to laugh - but try to figure out WHAT President Faust - could possibly be using out of this story to teach us about Stewardship. Next slide: The Little Engine that Could - 10 min. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/10/i-believe-i-can-i-knew-i-could?lang=eng The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. The protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EhpqcXoxGI The little engine that could 10:51

We develop our gifts and abilities by first thinking we can! At times all of us are called upon to stretch ourselves and do more than we think we can. I am reminded of President Theodore Roosevelt who said, “I am only an average man but, by George, I work harder at it than the average man.” We develop our gifts and abilities by first thinking we can!

Understanding the Parable Luke 19:11-15 Pass out matching worksheets and have them work thru them and then discuss the worksheet What is the setting? Who are the characters?

Understanding the Parable Luke 19:16-27 What actions did they take? As a class read thru the verses and discuss answers to the questions on slide. What was the result of their actions?

We may wonder whether it was fair to take the talent from the one who had the least and to give it to the one who had the most. From the beginning, however, the Lord explains that each man had ability.

Some of us are too content with what we may already be doing. We stand back in the “eat, drink, and be merry” mode when opportunities for growth and development abound.

The Lord tells us that He will give MORE to those who are WILLING. We miss opportunities to build up the kingdom of God because we have the passive notion that someone else will do it. The Lord tells us that He will give MORE to those who are WILLING.

The Lord, who endows all of us with talents, tells us: I believe you can! While we are not all equal in experience, aptitude and strength, we have different opportunities to use these spiritual gifts and we will all be accountable for the use of the gifts and opportunities given to us.

Lessons from the Little Engine We must remember to choose righteousness. Our efforts must always be guided by righteous principles. When our talents and abilities are used in any degree of unrighteousness, “the heavens withdraw themselves” and “the Spirit of the Lord is grieved”. Like the “Little Engine” we need to be on the right track to develop our talents.

Or unwilling to go the “extra mile” in service. I hope we will not be like the big passenger engine, too proud to accept the assignments we are given. Or unwilling to go the “extra mile” in service.

Or, like the old engine, do we say we are too tired? Have we given all our effort to other things and have nothing left to give to the Lord?

I hope we can all be like the “Little Engine that Could”! It wasn’t very big, had only been used for switching cars, and had never been over a mountain, BUT IT WAS WILLING. It got to the top of the mountain and down the other side saying “I thought I could”. It wasn’t very big... but it was WILLING!

Each of us must climb mountains that we have never climbed before. As we go thru life, if we can truly BELIEVE CHRIST - not just believe IN Him... We will trust him when he says “I know you can!” And he will help us to become more than we EVER thought we could. Believe Christ! when He says “I know you can”!