ward council meeting

March 26

How Can Young Women and Young Men Work Together to Help Build God’s Kingdom?

Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13

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Counsel Together

Led by a member of the class or quorum presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. How are we finding joy in following Jesus Christ?

• Care for those in need. Who in our ward or community needs our help? How can we help them?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we help each other prepare for missionary service?

• Unite families for eternity. How can we contribute to our ward’s efforts to do family history and temple work?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

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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.

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) and President Jean B. Bingham’s message “United in Accomplishing God’s Work” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 60–63).

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.

• 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?

• 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?

• 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? How can class and quorum presidencies better work together? The youth could review portions of President M. Russell Ballard’s message “Men and Women in the Work of the Lord” or President Jean B. Bingham’s message “United in Accomplishing God’s Work,” especially the portion beginning with “So what does that mean for you and me?” The youth could share answers they find to the questions.

• To help the youth understand how they can help build God’s kingdom, consider showing one or more of the videos “We Are Strong Together,” “A Promise for the Lord’s Battalion,” and “Youth Responsibility in the Work of Salvation” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What are we doing in our homes, our ward, and our community to help with God’s work? Consider asking the class or quorum president to provide issues discussed in the ward youth council meetings that are appropriate to share. Invite class or quorum members to share insights about how they could help with the issues.

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God needs women and men to work together in building His kingdom.

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

• 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)

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

When you extend an invitation to live a certain principle, help learners discover the blessings that God has promised to those who live that principle.