:)Hello...
The Sunday School lesson on June 26 was taught by Jennie and she will be team teaching with Kim.
We learned about three parables in the Book of Matthew, chapter 25.
Jesus teaches the Ten virgins, Sharing our talents, and The sheep and goats.
The Ten Virgins
the wedding: the 2nd Coming of the Savior
the brides/virgins: the believers
the oil: being prepared
the groom: The Savior
We really had some wonderful comments from the class that have stayed with me, and I'm pleased to share with you.
Gwen shared about how as much as we would like to be prepared for the others as well as ourselves, it cannot be done. Everyone has to do this for themselves.
Sue felt it was important to know and recognize the signs of His coming.
Rick said something that John and I hadn't thought of, and we used his comment for our family night this evening. It is that all the brides were prepared for what they thought was the expected wait. But it was only the ones who had enough saved in addition that were prepared for the unexpected event of the groom having tarried before arriving to the wedding...
We have applied this to our lives, and John was reflective about it as he had previously thought we were 'doing enough' .... and sometimes felt self conscious compared to those who are doing nothing at all. He has decided for our family to do a bit more, and add to the oil in our lamp for 'just in case'.
Jennie taught about this very thing, and suggested that it is 'drop by drop' that we fill our lamps, and asked that we consider what we might do towards that goal.
Sharing our Talents
Aaron said that the talents which the Lord gave us are specifically made for our individual good and blessing. He said we should do our best with what is given, and not to concern ourselves with the talents given to another.
Megan agreed and suggested that He wants to see what we will do with our talents as we grow and serve others.
Jeri commented that Faith is required as we take initial steps in this direction.
Rick gave us all a chuckle when he suggested we all need to resist the impulse to be lazy and fearful...: )
Jennie then guided the class in what some gifts might be that we may have.
The latin phrase of "gnothi seauton" means "Know Thyself"
which Ben Franklin said is very hard to do, and compared it to being as hard as a diamond or steel. Ralph Waldo Emerson even wrote a poem by the same name in 1831 as we recognize the blessings of God within ourselves.
It takes prayer and pondering to identify what is unique for our personality and what talent could be developed for our good and service for another.
A talent could even be a weakness needing to be redirected with His help. For example, pride could be redirected as the strength.
The Sheep and Goats
What is the meaning of deciding the worth of these two animals as they compare to each other?
David and Carolina said that both critters 'knew' what was expected, but it was the sheep who heeded and obeyed. The goats could not be counted on to do the right thing, which lessens their value to the Master.
Good point. I know that I appreciate and value the critters on my land who listen and obey much more than those who are just doing their own thing.
Thanks to Jennie for sharing her talent of teaching and encouraging a learning environment wherein the class felt secure in sharing and growing in the gospel.
Here is the link to the one of the most beautiful hymns and which was suggested for our lesson: A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
I love this song because it was the first time I wept from a hymn, and was a rebellious teenager no less....: )
http://lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=29&searchsubseqstart= &searchseqend=29&searchsubseqend=ZZZ
Next week, lesson 23 is "Love One Another, As I have Love You"
If you have a moment, consider reading these 4 chapters so you can better enjoy the lesson and discussion. Luke chapter 22 and John chapters 13-15.
http://www.answers.com/topic/gnothi-seauton
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