At the Well, by Crystal Suzanne

February 12

How Can I Improve My Worship of God?

John 2–4

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 have we come closer to the Savior? How are we trying to be more like Him?

• Care for those in need. Who has been on our minds lately? How can we help these individuals?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we answer our friends’ questions about the Church in a way that strengthens their faith in the Savior?

• Unite families for eternity. What are some ways we can better connect with extended family members, such as grandparents and cousins?

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.

Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

The woman of Samaria described in John 4 probably went to the well to get water frequently. But this time was different. She met a Jewish man who asked her for a drink. That alone was unusual because Jews generally didn’t associate with Samaritans. But there was something else unusual about this man. Perceiving that He must be a prophet, she asked Him questions about worshipping God. Was it acceptable to worship God there in Samaria? Or must people worship in Jerusalem, as the Jews claimed? (see John 4:19–20). The man explained that where we worship isn’t as important as how we worship: “True worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23). Then the man told her who He was—He was the Christ, the Savior of the world (see John 4:25–26).

Do the youth you teach understand what it means to worship Heavenly Father? In addition to worshipping at church (see Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–10), what other opportunities do they have to worship Him, including those they may not recognize as worship? The following resources can help you prepare to teach them about how to improve their worship of God: Psalm 95:1–7; Matthew 4:8–10; Alma 32:4–11; Doctrine and Covenants 20:17–19; 93:19–20, and Bishop Dean M. Davies’s message “The Blessings of Worship” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 93–95).

Learn Together

To begin a discussion about improving worship, you could invite class or quorum members to individually review John 4:19–26 and write responses to questions like these: Why do I worship God? What does it mean to me to worship God? It might also be helpful to review together the definition under “Worship” in the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). After they’ve had time to ponder these questions, invite them to share their thoughts. The following activities can help them receive the Holy Ghost’s promptings.

• Members of your class or quorum will have valuable insights about what it means to worship God. You might ask them to share an experience when they felt they were worshipping God. Scripture passages like the following can add to their understanding and give them ideas about how to make their worship of God more meaningful: Psalm 95:1–7; Matthew 4:8–10; Alma 32:4–11; Doctrine and Covenants 20:17–19; 93:19–20. They might also discuss the statement by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in “Supporting Resources.”

• To help the youth improve their worship of God, consider writing these headings on the board: Who, Why, Where, and How. Ask them to review the scriptures listed in “Worship” in the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org), looking for verses that help them understand who, why, where, and how we should worship. As they find a related verse, invite them to discuss it with the class or quorum and write the reference under the appropriate heading. Encourage them to share experiences when they have felt closer to God through worship.

• Bishop Dean M. Davies’s message “The Blessings of Worship” contains examples of people worshipping God. Perhaps you could read together the section “What Is Worship?” Then each person could review one of the examples of people worshipping found in the next three sections of the message. What does each example teach us about worshipping God? What does the last section of the message teach about the blessings that come from worshipping Him with devotion? What are we inspired to do to improve our worship of God?

Worship includes scripture study and other practices that show devotion and love for God.

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

• “Elements of Worship,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay (2003), 29–37

• Donald L. Hallstrom, “The Conversion of the Children of God” (Seminaries and Institutes of Religion broadcast, June 13, 2017), broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

• Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “True and perfect worship consists in following in the steps of the Son of God; it consists in keeping the commandments and obeying the will of the Father to that degree that we advance from grace to grace until we are glorified in Christ as He is in His Father. It is far more than prayer and sermon and song. It is living and doing and obeying. It is emulating the life of the great Exemplar” (“How to Worship,” Ensign, Dec. 1971, 130; capitalization modernized).

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

The doctrine found in the scriptures and in the words of latter-day prophets has the power to change hearts and increase faith. As you and those you teach “try the virtue of the word of God,” you will find that it has “a great tendency to lead the people to do that which is just” (Alma 31:5).