How Can Young Women and Young Men Work Together to Help Build God’s Kingdom?
(Lesson-match Interactive Activities)
YOUTH CLASSES
TOPIC #1
Matthew 9-10; Mark 5; Luke 9
HOW CAN THE SAVIOR HELP ME OVERCOME MY FEARS?
TOPIC #2
Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13
HOW CAN YOUNG WOMEN AND YOUNG MEN WORK TOGETHER TO HELP BUILD GOD’S KINGDOM?
PART 1
How Can Young Women and Young Men Work Together to Help Build God’s Kingdom?
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES
Teach the Doctrine
Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes
Prepare Yourself Spiritually
With a series of parables found in Matthew 13, the Savior taught important truths about God’s kingdom and its remarkable growth in our day. In two of these parables, something small and simple resulted in something great. And it was the actions of a son or daughter of God that helped the miracle happen. A tiny mustard seed grew into a tree large enough for birds to “lodge in the branches” when “a man took, and sowed [it] in his field” (Matthew 13:31–32). And a small amount of leaven caused a large amount of dough to rise when “a woman took, and hid [it] in three measures of meal” (Matthew 13:33). God’s kingdom in our day grows and spreads because His Saints—including young women and young men—work together with Him to build it.
DOWNLOAD I Can Plant Seeds of Faith flip-book (HERE) to illustrate the above.
In addition to reading Matthew 13 and Luke 8; 13 this week, consider reading President M. Russell Ballard’s message “Men and Women in the Work of the Lord” (New Era, Apr. 2014, 2–5) SEE NOTES BELOW* and President Jean B. Bingham’s message “United in Accomplishing God’s Work” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 60–63).
*FROM THE TALK “Men and Women in the Work of the Lord” By Elder M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“Never has there been a more complex time in the history of the earth. Satan and his minions have been perfecting the weapons in their arsenal for millennia, and they are experienced at destroying faith and trust in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ among the human family.
All of us—men, women, young adults, youth, and boys and girls—have the Lord and His Church to defend, to protect, and to spread throughout the earth.”
“Sisters, your sphere of influence is a unique sphere—one that cannot be duplicated by men. No one can defend our Savior with any more persuasion or power than you, the daughters of God, can—you who have such inner strength and conviction. The power of a converted woman’s voice is immeasurable, and the Church needs your voices now more than ever.“
BUILD THE KINGDOM
BUILD CHARACTER TO BUILD THE KINGDOM
STANDARDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
STANDARDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
PART 2
How Can Young Women and Young Men Work Together to Help Build God’s Kingdom?
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES
Learn Together
To help the youth you teach visualize the parables in Matthew 13, consider displaying pictures of a mustard seed, leaven (such as yeast), a pearl, and a fishing net. The youth could review Matthew 13:31–33, 45–48 and share what each of these parables teaches them about the kingdom of heaven. How can we apply the messages of these parables in our own lives? What are we doing to help the Lord build His kingdom? Here are a few activities that can help in the discussion.
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Before the meeting, invite class or quorum members to learn about women and men who are or were exemplary in helping to build God’s kingdom. These people could be from the scriptures (see “Supporting Resources”), from Church history, or from their own lives. Invite the youth to share what they learned. In what ways have these people helped the Lord build His kingdom? How can we follow their examples?
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If you teach young men, invite them to review President Bonnie L. Oscarson’s message “Young Women in the Work” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 36–38) and search for and share ways that young women contribute to God’s work of salvation and exaltation. Young women could do a similar search in Brother Douglas D. Holmes’s message “What Every Aaronic Priesthood Holder Needs to Understand” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 50–53). How are the responsibilities of young women and young men similar? How can we better work together as we do God’s work?
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To help the youth understand how women and men work together to build God’s kingdom, you could write questions on the board like these: Why does God need women and men to work together to help build His kingdom?
DOWNLOAD Activities (below) on BUILDING THE KINGDOM using time, talents, and means.
Act in Faith
Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Supporting Resources
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Luke 2:21–38 (Simeon and Anna); Acts 9:36–41 (Tabitha, or Dorcas); Mosiah 18:1–17 (Alma); Mosiah 28:1–3 (sons of Mosiah); Alma 8:18–27 (Amulek); Alma 19:15–17 (Abish); Doctrine and Covenants 25:5–8 (Emma Smith); Moses 5:10–12 (Adam and Eve)
