1. Exercise Faith in Jesus Christ
Watch the following video and ponder 'How will my faith in Jesus Christ affect my self-reliance?
What did this family DO to exercise faith in Jesus Christ?
D&C 104:15 - And it is my purpose to provide for my Saints
Read and consider the following statements and how they apply to you as you seek self-reliance?
* Because Daniel would not stop praying, he was thrown into a den of lions but God...sent his angel and ...shut the lion's mouths...and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. (Daniel 6:22-23)
* All things are possible to him that believeth...He was as one dead...But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up and he arose. (Mark 9:23, 26-7)
* Cry over the flocks of your fields that they may increase. (Alma 34:25)
* The Lord gave Lehi the Liahona to guide his family and it did work for them according to their faith in God...When they were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence...they did not progress in their journey. (Alma 37:40-41)
* Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse...and prove me herewith...if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:10)
* During a famine Elijah asked a widow to give him her last meal. Elijah promised that because of her faith the Lord would provide food to her, and her food never ran out. (1 Kings 17)
* And he...fed thee with manna for 40 years...that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:3)
THIS WEEK:
1. Write two specific ways you can exercise faith in Jesus Christ
2. Practice exercising faith in Jesus Christ
3. Teach this principle to your family
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2. Use Time Wisely
Why is time one of God's greatest gifts?
Watch the following video: THE GIFT OF TIME
Consider - what did you learn from Sister Benkosi in the video?
There are 5 steps you can take each day to ensure you use your time wisely:
STEP ONE: List tasks - Each morning, make a list of tasks to do. Add names of people to serve.
STEP TWO: Pray - Pray for guidance. Listen. Commit to do your best.
STEP THREE: Set Priorities - Number your top priorities. Put a 1 by the most important task, put a 2 by the next one and so on.
STEP FOUR: Set Goals, Act - Listen to the Spirit. Set goals. Work hard. Start with the most important task and work down the list.
STEP FIVE: Report - Each night, report to Heavenly Father in prayer. Ask questions. Listen. Feel His love. Repent.
THIS WEEK:
1. Practice these steps every day to use your time more wisely.
2. Teach this principle to your family.
3. Continue to practice the previous foundation principle.
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3. Be Obedient
Ponder: What laws must I obey to become more self-reliant?
Watch: The Video Obedience Brings Blessings
Discuss: Obedience to God's laws and principles leads to spiritual and temporal blessings. What experiences have you had to prove this?
D&C 130:20-21 "There is a law...upon which all blessings are predicated - And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
Look at the items below - Notice how obedience to specific laws leads to specific blessings. Some examples are provided. Please take a few moments to write down specific blessings you desire and the laws you need to obey to receive those blessings:
eg...
The Word of Wisdom..........Leads to.......Better health, great knowledge
Tithes & Offerings......Leads to.....Temporal and spiritual blessings, success in our work, protection
Go to work every day.....Leads to....Continued employment and ability to create savings
Eat healthily and exercise regularly......Leads to.....You miss less work days due to illness
THIS WEEK:
Write two or three specific ways you can increase your obedience to the laws you chose
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4. Manage Money
Ponder: Why is managing money so hard?
Watch the video on this link: First Things First!
Discuss: What did you learn from these children? Why should we keep track of our money? Why should we save money?
"Pay tithes and offerings...avoid debt...use budget...determine how to reduce what you spend for nonessentials and discipline yourself to live within your budget plan." (All is Safely Gathered in)
"And again verily I say unto you, concerning your debts - behold it is my will that you shall pay all your debts." D&C 104:78
Practice: Here are 4 steps you can take to manage your money so you can better serve others.
1. Work Hard & Smart - Prove to your employer that you work hard each day. Prove that you are valuable. Be honest.
2. Pay Tithes & Offerings - When you earn personal money, pay tithing first. Then God can bless you.
3. Spend Less Than You Earn - Set a budget. Record what you earn and spend. Avoid debt. Earn more. Spend less than you earn.
4. Build Savings Daily - Save money every day for more peace and freedom.
THIS WEEK:
Practice managing your money every day.
Teach this principle to your family.
Continue to practice the previous foundation principles.
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5. Work: Take Responsibility
Ponder: Why do you feel Heavenly Father wants us to take personal responsibility for our lives?
After watching the video, consider how does Sedrick use his agency and take responsibility for his future? What would happen to Sedrick if he blamed someone else for his challenges?
"Wherefore the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself...and (men and women are free) to act for themselves and not to be acted upon" 2 Nephi 2:16,26
"Thou shalt not be idle, for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the labourer." D&C 42:42
Consider this statement from Joseph Smith and think about the following questions:
"As my father's worldly circumstances were very limited, we were under the necessity of labouring with our hands, hiring out by day's work and otherwise, as we could get opportunity. Sometimes we were at home and sometimes abroad, and by continuous labour were enabled to get a comfortable maintenance."
What was his temporal situation?
What do you learn about self-reliance from the Prophet's words?
What did the Prophet mean by continuous labour?
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6. Solve Problems
Ponder: Why do you feel Heavenly Father allows us to face problems and challenges?
Watch the video which can be found on this link: Solve Problems & Make Decisions
Discuss: What did Sheep do to help Pig solve his problem?
"The brother of Jared cried unto the Lord saying...I have made the barges...and in them there is no light...And the Lord said...What will ye that I should do?...And the brother of Jared did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones...and cried again unto the Lord saying...I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power...Therefore touch these stones...that they may shine forth in darkness." Ether 2:18-19, 23, 3:1,4
Consider: What did the Brother of Jared do to solve his problems?
Following are three steps you can take to solve problems of all kinds with prayer and faith:
1. Identify - What is the real problem?
2. Study Options - What are possible solutions? Which are best?
3. Decide & Act - Pray for guidance. Decide. Then act in faith!
Good results? If not, repeat steps 1-3. Never give up!
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7. Become One, Work Together
Ponder: What does it mean to be one? What does this have to do with becoming self-reliant?
Watch the video that can be found on this link: In the Lord's Way
Consider - What does this message teach about serving and helping each other?
"And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind...and there was no poor among them." Moses 7:18
"And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way, and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low. For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare." D&C 104:15-17
1. On your own, think about talents, contacts or other resources you have. How can your gifts help other group members become more self-reliant? Write your ideas down.
2. As a group, share with each other the talents, contacts and other resources you listed. Write contacts or resources others have that could help you.
3. Now list the resources available at a Church self-reliance centre, including mentors, computers and so on. Why do you need them?
4. What resources do you have that can help you and others become self-reliant?
5. How will you help others on their path to self-reliance?
6. How can you use help from others on your path?
Decide to:
1. Help your family increase in unity and work together.
2. Talk to members of your ward who are self-reliant. Ask what people or resources helped them. Ask if they will mentor you!
3. Go to 3 places in your community that have resources to help you become more self-reliant. Write down the services they can provide. Start to use them!
"When we work together cooperatively...we can accomplish anything. When we do so, we eliminate the weakness of one person standing alone and substitute the strength of many serving together." Thomas S Monson
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8. Communicate: Petition and Listen
9. Persevere
10. Show Integrity
11. Seek Learning and Education
12. Stay on Task, Receive Ordinances
As we do so the First Presidency have promised:
"Accepting and living these principles will better enable you to receive the temporal blessings promised by the Lord....We invite you to diligently study and apply these principles and teach them to your family members. As you do so, your life will be blessed. You will learn how to act on your path toward greater self-reliance. You will be blessed with greater hope, peace and progress.
"Please be assured that you are a chid of our Father in Heaven. He loves you and will never forsake you. He knows you and is ready to extend to you the spiritual and temporal blessings of self-reliance."
We will update this throughout 2015 as we learn and grow together towards Self-Reliance.
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