Tag Archive for: scriptures

Companion Study

Yesterday, I met at the temple with two missionaries, Megan Carroll and Emily Hodder.
I was thrilled to join them for their companion study.
In over two years, this was the first time that I’d been with a companionship for their study.
I loved it!
And to sit in the shadow of the temple too, was really special.
We opened with prayer and then began by studying together in the “Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ.”
I love the introduction to the booklet from the First Presidency of the church. It states in regard to the standards that they “will help protect you physically, spiritually and emotionally and help you be the disciple Jesus Christ needs you to become.”
We read, pondered, reflected and shared thoughts together.
Shortly thereafter we studied from “Adjusting to Missionary Life.”
This is a wonderful resource, that is filled with great ideas about adjusting to new situations including physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and social demands during transfers, new companions, and new areas.
We enjoyed sharing a few insights with each other.
Subsequently, we then moved into preparing some ideas from the scriptures for a lesson that the missionaries were planning for a friend that evening.

Preach My Gospel – Second Edition

Afterwards, we then studied from Preach My Gospel – Second Edition, chapter 2, entitled “Search the Scriptures and Put on the Armour of God”.
We reviewed a section, shared a few quotes, and then asked each other some questions about our understanding of what it means to put on “the whole armour of God”.
Finally, we filmed a short video for the Come Follow Me App, on Ephesians 6:13 which will be shared on October 8th.
It was a very effective use of our one hour of study together.
We concluded that we learn day by day, “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (2 Nephi 28:30) during the time of our missionary service and throughout our life.
After our closing prayer, we even made time to capture a few pictures of our study time together.
Missionaries take an hour every day for personal study and then another hour for companion study.
I know that setting aside some time every day to search and study the scriptures will be a source of great enlightenment.
I loved it so much, I am joining another companionship this morning!
When have you been blessed in the past as you have used similar study skills?

Good, Better, Best.

This week, we joined with other European Mission Leaders at a 4-day Seminar in Den Haag, here in the Netherlands.
We counselled collectively together and received inspiring instruction from the Central Europe Area Presidency.
It was wonderful to share many experiences together, including the obligatory visit to Keukenhof!
Personally, it gave me the opportunity to reflect upon all that I have learned as Monic and I have served concertedly in Belgium and the Netherlands for nearly two years.
Through the course of the 4 days, many principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ were discussed.
For a few brief moments we spoke too about “The Chosen”.

The Chosen

For the uninitiated, it’s an enjoyable multi-season television series about Jesus Christ that has been watched by tens of millions, throughout the entire world.
Monic and I have watched all the series and are sure that many reading this post will have done likewise.
However, reflecting upon all that I continue to learn about Jesus Christ, from my perspective I have come to conclude this truism.

Connecting…

Connecting to Jesus Christ…
– Through the Chosen is 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅.
– Through the Missionaries is 𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓.
– Through the Scriptures is 𝑩𝒆𝒔𝒕.
I love The Chosen and I love our missionaries too.
Both play their part in helping many to understand the three most powerful behavioural words spoken by Jesus Christ, namely “Come Follow Me” – see Luke 18:22.
I know that as you personally study the scriptures, you will come to know the Saviour and His teachings.
Few things you do will bring greater dividends, as you absorb his words by pondering them, then letting them sink deeply into your heart and applying them into your life.
Spencer W. Kimball emphasized the need to continually read and study the scriptures. He said: ” I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.”
Enjoy The Chosen!
Invite the missionaries to speak with you!
They’ll guide you through the scriptures as you accept His personal admonition to “Come Follow Me.”
How have the missionaries helped you?