July 2021 Come Follow Me Ministering – Succor the Weak
The July 2021 Come Follow Me Ministering Printable ties together Elder Jorge T. Becerra’s April 2021 General Conference talk “Poor Little Ones” and this July’s Come, Follow Me lesson on “Where “Much Is Given Much Is Required”.”
These ministering printables are a great way to help families incorporate the “Come, Follow Me” lessons into their own study. They are also perfect for Young Women’s, Relief Society, Sunday School, or Family Home Evening. I hope that these ministering printables will be a simple way to reach out to those we minister to.
Download July 2021 Come Follow Me Ministering Printable (4×6) (Four to a Sheet PDF)
I decided to pair this month’s printable with a bath bomb and a nail file. Reading Doctrine and Covenants 81:5, you get the image of someone who is absolutely exhausted. When we are weary, a hot bath and some pampering can do wonders!
July 2021 Come Follow Me Ministering Printable
Succor the Weak – In each ward and branch we need everyone
In Doctrine and Covenants 81, the Lord starts to formally organize the First Presidency of the church. But the focus of the section isn’t on the grandeur of the calling, it is on service. And this applies to all of us, regardless of our callings. In order to gain eternal life, we must serve.
Succor the Weak
In Doctrine and Covenants 81:5 we are commanded, “Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”
I was excited to see that Elder Jorge T. Becerra actually quotes this scripture during the April 2021 General Conference. In his talk about service, he explains how we all need each other. “In each ward and branch we need everyone—those who may be strong and those who are perhaps struggling. All are necessary to the vital edification of the entire ‘body of Christ.'”
Hands-on Experience
The church becomes a type of practicum as we apply divine doctrine. It is through hands-on experience that we learn to “live together in love.” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:45) We cannot make the changes necessary to become like Christ without each other.
And this makes so much sense. Christ already showed us the pattern during His mortal ministry. He spent all His time among the sinners and those who were suffering. In many ways, the commandment to serve allows us to experience our own little Gethsemane as we “bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light” and “mourn with those that mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” (Mosiah 18:8-9)
The Fruits of Service
Recently I got to see this practicum in action. The other day my son was feeling very anxious. But even though he was struggling, he decided to help his dad with something. After serving, I noted a significant difference in my son’s emotional state. He was suddenly relaxed and happy. The afterglow of his service allowed my son to settle in and finish the work he needed to do before earning screen time.
While he was playing videos games, I started to talk to him about the power of service. I really didn’t think he was paying attention, but wanted to see if I could help him draw the connections between how he felt before and after serving.
I explained how Heavenly Father loves to serve. And since we are created in His image, He knows that service will make us happy too. That is why Heavenly Father asks us to serve – He wants us to be happy. That is also the reason it is the perfect antidote to anxiety. Anxiety no longer exists when you are filled with love, peace, and happiness.
I was caught off guard when my son started to get really excited about this idea. At first, I thought he was messing with me. His eyes were glued to his video game, but he had been listening. I soon realized that he had a genuine “aha” moment. Since then he has referred to this lesson several times in different situations. I came to realize that this truth was an important one for him in his spiritual growth. I guess our kids are listening even when we think they aren’t!
My son’s act of service not only helped bring him peace, but it also prepared him to receive further gospel truths. I could have taught him the same truths, but the reason why they resonated with him was because service helped give him the context and the spirit to understand those truths.
