September: How can I inspire others to obey the commandments?

All Printouts and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction:

• Think of someone you know, whom you wish you could inspire to keep the commandments.
• What inspires people to live the gospel? What inspires you?

2. Likening the Scriptures & Learning Together:

• Read Matthew 5:16 & 1 Timothy 4:12
• How are these scriptures related?
  
• Build a Lighthouse Activity
• I cut out each part of the picture of a lighthouse to the right. Using the scriptures that were just read, discuss how we can be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, etc. (Save Bear Your Testimony for later in the lesson)
• Use the talk "Be an Example and a Light" by President Monson to assist in the discussion.
• Go through each of the traits and have the youth ponder if that is something that they could work on or is it something that they have down. 
• Can you think of someone who exemplifies one of these traits?
• Watch "Leave the Party" video
• While they watch, ask the youth to look for how the power of being an example influences others to obey or disobey the commandments.
• I shared an example of going to party when I was their age. I knew that I should leave, but I didn't. Nothing bad happened, but I still wish I would have stood up and left. Then I shared another example of going to a movie with a friend who was an example and we left when we didn't feel comfortable.
• Ask the youth to share any examples that they might have.

3. Teach Others:

• Read Alma 4:19
• What does "bearing down in pure testimony" mean?
• How can it help us and others obey the commandments?
• Have you ever been influenced by someone's testimony?
• Speed Sharing Activity (aka Speed Dating)
• There are a few ways that you can organize this... I had the class sit in two rows of chairs facing each other. Then I handed out the scriptures in a way that #1 was across from #5, #2 across from #4, etc. 
• Give the youth about 3-5 minutes to read their scripture and formulate what inspires them about the testimony they read:
• Matthew 6:13-19
• Mosiah 3:17
• Alma 5:45-48
• Alma 7:13
• D&C 76:22-24
• Then they will have about 45 seconds to share with their partner.
• Have all the #1's get up and move to the other end of the row, with everyone scooting down a seat. Repeat.

4. Make it Personal:

• Bearing Your Testimony Checklist (General information found in Preach My Gospel)
• Not only did they read the testimonies, but they bore testimony of their own. 
• Go through the checklist and point out that what inspired them was a testimony of their own. That it was direct and heartfelt, it wasn't eloquent or lengthy, and it didn't start with "I'd like to bear my testimony"
• What opportunities do you have to bear your testimony in a similar manner?

5. Conclusion:

• Think back to the beginning of class, when they thought of someone who they would like to inspire to obey the commandments. Did they learn something that they can do to be a lighthouse?