FATHERING LEADERSHIP
Develop a Healthier Personal Behavior PatternDAY 5 | TEN DAYS
Missing the Bus | Faith is Powerful
PURPOSE OF THIS 10 DAY COURSE:
- LEARN profound lessons through daily stories & reflection
- Gain MOTIVATION to change behavior through understanding
- TRACK your progress | ACCOUNT for what you’ve done
- RECORD your thoughts & impressions
- REPEAT good behavior until healthy habits are formed
WHAT TO DO:
MORNING DEVOTIONAL: MISSING THE BUS
- Pray | To Heavenly Father
- Sing/Listen to Hymn
- Be Thou Humble
- LDS Hymn #130
- Read Scripture | Matthew 4:12-16
- Serve | How can I serve today?
- Read Story | Missing the Bus
- Ponder | Answer
EVENING DEVOTIONAL: FAITH IS POWERFUL
- Read Storr | Faith is Powerful
- Journal | Write in your Journal
- Read Scripture | Matthew 4:17-22
- Sing/Listen to Hymn
- I Need Thee Every Hour
- LDS Hymn #98
- Pray | To Heavenly Father
- Ponder | Answer
MORNING DEVOTIONAL | MISSING THE BUS
PRAY | TO HEAVENLY FATHER
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank thee… [use your own words]
I ask thee… [use your own words]
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
READ | SCRIPTURE
NEW TESTAMENT | MATTHEW 4:12-16
CHAPTER 4
12. Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13. And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15. The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16. The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
NOTE
Jesus taught the people of Capernaum and the words of a prophet were fulfilled. God’s prophets speak truth.
SERVE | HOW CAN I SERVE TODAY?
READ STORY | MISSING THE BUS
Harry’s eyes sprang open when he realized that he had slept through the alarm. “Wow, I’ve done it again!” thought Harry. Without realizing it, he had turned off the noisy alarm and returned to dreaming.
Suddenly he threw the covers back, swung his feet out of bed, and raced for his clothes. He didn’t even notice the cold floor on his bare feet. He was going to be late for school!
“Tommy! Tommy! Get up!” shouted Harry to his cousin. “We’re going to be late for school!”
Tommy wasn’t thrilled.
“Stupid alarm clock,” mumbled Tommy to himself. He’d much rather stay in bed until noon. Especially when he discovered that it was raining.
Life is so cruel, thought Tommy. Why didn’t my private teacher stay with me when we came to Harry’s?
“I better wear my old shoes,” thought Harry as he fumbled at the buttons on his shirt.
“We won’t have time for breakfast,” Harry yelled to Tommy as he ran down the hall to comb his hair. Soon Harry was running down the road toward the bus stop with Tommy trailing behind.
“We forgot our lunches,” called Tommy to Harry. “I’m going back.”
“We don’t have time for that,” Harry called back. “We have probably already missed the bus.”
So Tommy reluctantly hurried on to the bus stop.
“Shoot, I guess I need to be more disciplined,” thought Harry.
“Why is life so stupid?” thought Tommy.
Rounding the corner, they saw the school bus drive away.
“One thing sure leads to another,” thought Harry.
“Stupid bus driver,” thought Tommy.
When Harry and Tommy finally arrived at school the class was just beginning to read the following story:
THE BADGER FAMILY SUNRISE
Many years ago, when summers lasted long enough to see one’s dreams come true, there lived a happy Badger family. Billy Badger loved his family.
One day, Grandpa Badger excitedly announced that on the following morning the family was arising early to watch the sun come up.
“Watch the sun come up?”, Billy asked. What he wanted to say (but didn’t) was, You must be kidding! Why would anyone want to get up early enough to watch the sun come up? Billy didn’t understand the excitement Grandpa obviously felt about this event and in spite of Billy’s doubts, the event was “going to be fun”, or so his mother told him.
So preparations began. Breakfast fix’ns were double checked, special attention was given the evening sky, evening prayers were said sooner than usual, and “Hurry to bed” orders were strictly enforced.
Very early the next morning, tired eyes were shaken open and soon the night’s dreams were turned to curiosity as a more hurried pace filled Billy’s home. Before Billy could even get out of bed his father began encouraging him to “Get dressed quickly”, “Wash your face”, “Make your bed”, and “Hurry outside, you don’t want to miss the sun!” Billy’s attempts to complain that you can’t miss the sun were of no avail and he soon found himself sitting on a large cold rock wishing to be back in his warm den.
Finally they were all together, father, mother, brothers, sisters, grandpa and grandma, sitting in the semi-dark. Billy had the distinct feeling that if you had to talk you should whisper. Grandpa looked delighted as he announced “Soon.” to the question “How much longer?” Soon? Soon? I’ll be as old as Grandpa soon. Billy thought to himself. “Let me know when it’s really here” whispered Billy, and he closed his sleepy eyes.
“It’s almost here!” said Grandpa. Billy opened his eyes. “Listen to the birds” said Grandma. Billy began to look around to see if he could see one of the singing birds. That’s when be noticed the dew on the flowers and he sniffed to smell their sweet perfume. He began to wonder if this particular morning was unusual. Bright colors began to replace the night time shadows as the morning sky continued to brighten.
Suddenly, Billy realized that this morning was exciting. There was a happy feeling being together, smelling breakfast, and listening to Grandpa tell about his father getting him up to see the sun. Time was passing so slowly and yet, for the first time in his life, it was okay.
Billy tried to guess where on the mountain’s silhouette the sun would first appear. He would guess one point and then pick another further along the rugged outline. Finally, he knew right where it would happen. The trees and rocks were aglow and the sun’s white light was burning to break free from its’ hiding place.
“Wow!” There it was. Light beamed directly down on Billy. First a small stream of brilliant light and then a full flood. Claps and cheers greeted those welcome rays from heaven. Billy’s joyful eyes looked from mountain top to his family’s smiling faces and then back to the shining peaks. Billy was actually having fun! “That was neat” he told his Mom, “Now can we eat?”
“Pretty goofy story,” thought Tommy.
“I’d like to see the sun come up,” thought Harry.
PONDER | ANSWER
Self-talk is what we say to ourselves. It reveals our emotions and attitude towards our self, others, and life’s experiences.
Self-talk allows us to place meaning or value on the knowledge and information we receive. It helps us explain and justify our feelings and behavior. It lets us define our motivation for doing, or not doing, something.
Self-talk gives us time to consider what actions should be taken and if the consequences will be good or bad. Thus, we are free to choose.
(see Helaman 14:31)
HELAMAN | CHAPTER 14
31. He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.
- What differences are there between Harry’s and Tommy’s self-talk?
- How do you think they feel about themselves?
- Does the way someone treat you affect the way you talk to yourself?
- How do you talk to yourself when things go wrong?
- Commitment: I will talk kindly to myself.
- Commitment Kept:
- Signature: ________________________
EVENING DEVOTIONAL | FAITH IS POWERFUL
READ STORY | FAITH IS POWERFUL
“Faith is powerful,” said Harry’s father. “You will remember that while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness, after being led out of Egypt by Moses, fiery serpents came among them and bit many of them. Harry, will you please read what Moses did to help the people? You can find it in the Old Testament, the book of Numbers, chapter 21, verses 8-9.“
“Family Home Evening?” thought Tommy. “This must be like having home Sunday School.”
Harry turned to the verses and began to read:
NUMBERS | CHAPTER 21
8. And the Lord said unto Moses, ‘Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.’
9. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
“Why didn’t they just chop off their heads” Tommy said loudly, “instead of letting them bite everyone? That’s what our gardeners would do. They would kill them.”
“That’s a good question,” said Harry’s father.
“Perhaps they didn’t want to hurt the snakes,” said Harry.
Tommy had never seen a poisonous snake before but didn’t understand why they shouldn’t all be killed.
“No!” said Tommy when Harry’s father asked if he wanted to read the next scripture. He hadn’t meant for it to sound so strong. “I never had to at home,” he thought to himself, “why should I have to here?”
“I’ll read,” Harry said eagerly.
“Okay,” said Harry’s father. “Read 2 Nephi 25:20 from the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ: 2 Nephi 25:20 (Part 1)
2 NEPHI | CHAPTER 25
20. And now, brothern, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, …
Tommy wondered to himself, “Why should I ever learn to read when I can always have my servant read for me? Obviously Harry is so poor, he must do everything himself. I’ll never be that poor!”
Harry continued his reading: 2 Nephi 25:20 (Part 2)
2 NEPHI | CHAPTER 25
20. …there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.
Harry’s father thanked him for reading and then said: “So, the brass serpent represents Jesus Christ and as the brass serpent was nailed to the pole, so Jesus was nailed to the cross. Just as people then were healed by looking to the brass serpent, so people today can be healed by looking to Jesus Christ. How are we in need of healing today?”
Harry couldn’t help thinking about how close he had come to being bitten by the rattlesnake. He felt a shiver run down his neck, spread out over each shoulder, and run halfway down his back. Then tried to think about his father’s question, “How are we still in need of healing today?”
“When parents fight and want a divorce.” said Tommy.
“I think you’re right, Tommy,” Harry’s father responded.
“And when someone gets sick,” said Harry.
“Yes, I think you’re both right,” said Harry’s father. “Faith is still needed today. Now hurry and get ready for bed. Then we’ll read our scriptures, write in our journals, and say our prayers so we’ll be able to wake up early tomorrow.”
JOURNAL ENTRY | DAY 5
Record your activites, feelings, thoughts, and/or questions.
READ | SCRIPTURE
NEW TESTAMENT | MATTHEW 4:17-22
CHAPTER 4
17. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
21. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
NOTE
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” – Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 31:20
PRAY | TO HEAVENLY FATHER
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Today has been a wonderful day and we thank Thee for our life.
We thank thee for the rain that brings life to our garden.
Help us to have greater faith in thy Son and trust in His words.
We love thee.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
PONDER | ANSWER
“Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true…” (see LDS Bible Dictionary, Faith; Hebrews 11:1; Alma 32:21).
A person’s faith is expressed in many different ways. In an earlier story, Brother Shreeve expressed his belief in the resurrected Jesus Christ. For him, the scriptures taught correct principles, or ideas, that can be trusted. As a result, his attitude was affected and his actions were guided by this faith.
And faith “…must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation.” (see, LDS Bible Dictionary, Faith).
LDS BIBLE DICTIONARY | FAITH
Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (Heb. 11:1; Alma 32:21), and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed Himself and His perfect character, possessing in their fulness all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power, and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in Him without reservation. Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith (Rom. 10:14–17). Miracles do not produce faith, but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one’s faith.
Faith is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can command the elements, heal the sick, and influence any number of circumstances when occasion warrants (Jacob 4:4–7). Even more important, by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.
All true faith must be based upon correct knowledge or it cannot produce the desired results. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action; it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for. A lack of faith leads one to despair, which comes because of iniquity.
Although faith is a gift, it must be cultured and sought after until it grows from a tiny seed to a great tree. The effects of true faith in Jesus Christ include (1) an actual knowledge that the course of life one is pursuing is acceptable to the Lord (see Heb. 11:4); (2) a reception of the blessings of the Lord that are available to man in this life; and (3) an assurance of personal salvation in the world to come. These things involve individual and personal testimony, guidance, revelation, and spiritual knowledge. Where there is true faith there are miracles, visions, dreams, healings, and all the gifts of God that He gives to His saints. Jesus pointed out some obstacles to faith in John 5:44 and 12:39–42 (see also James 1:6–8).
Other references to faith include JST Gen. 14:26–36 (Appendix); 2 Cor. 5:7; Eph. 2:8–9; Heb. 11; James 2:14–26; 1 Pet. 1:8–9; Enos 1:6–8; Alma 32; Moro. 10:11; D&C 46:13–16.
For example, a follower of Jesus will choose to be baptized because they have faith in Him, hope to be saved in His kingdom, and therefore strive to obey all his words.
QUESTIONS
- Even though you have never seen your ears, what evidence is there that you have ears?
- How can we ‘look’ to Jesus Christ today?
- How can we increase our faith in Jesus Christ?
- Commitment: I will listen to good music or taste good food and thank Heavenly Father for my body.
- Commitment Kept:
- Signature: ________________________
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
TEMPLES
FATHERS