Jesus talking to small child

September 18–24

2 Corinthians 8–13

“God Loveth a Cheerful Giver”

As you read 2 Corinthians 8–13, think about the people you teach, and plan activities that would help them discover the principles in these chapters. Then review this outline for additional ideas.

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Invite Sharing

Here is one way to invite class members to share what they learned from 2 Corinthians 8–13: ask a few of them to write on the board a favorite phrase from their reading and share why these phrases are meaningful to them.

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Teach the Doctrine

2 Corinthians 8:1–15; 9:6–15

Saints cheerfully share what they have to bless the poor and needy.

• God has commanded His Saints to help take care of those in need, and passages in 2 Corinthians 8–9 can inspire your class members in their efforts. To help them find these passages, you could write on the board questions like Why do we give? and How should we give? Half of the class could search for answers in 2 Corinthians 8:1–15, and the other half could search in 2 Corinthians 9:6–15. (You might explain that in chapter 8, verses 1–5, Paul spoke of the Macedonian Saints as examples of generous giving.) How might the principles taught by Paul help us better care for the poor and needy?

2 Corinthians 11:1–4

We should focus on “the simplicity that is in Christ.”

• Sometimes Church members feel overwhelmed with the demands of life—including what they might see as the demands of being a Latter-day Saint. Paul’s counsel about “the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3) can help. Perhaps you could read together 2 Corinthians 11:3 and discuss what the phrase “simplicity that is in Christ” might mean. You could also ask class members to imagine that they were invited to write a description of the gospel of Jesus Christ for a newspaper, with a limit of 100 words. Give them time to write their descriptions, and let them share with each other what they wrote. If they need help, they might refer to John 3:16–17; 3 Nephi 27:13–21; President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s statement in “Additional Resources.” Class members could share ideas about how to “simplify [our] approach to discipleship.”

2 Corinthians 12:5–10

The Savior’s grace is sufficient to help us find strength in our weakness.

• What would you say to a friend who has prayed for relief from an infirmity but feels that this prayer is not being answered? Consider inviting class members to ponder this question as they silently read 2 Corinthians 12:5–10. Then they could share insights from these verses that might help in this situation. They could also share experiences when, through Jesus Christ’s grace, or His divine power and help, they found strength in weakness. How did that experience influence their lives? Why is it important to trust the Lord’s timing?

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Additional Resources

We can simplify our approach to living the gospel.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught:

“Brothers and sisters, living the gospel doesn’t need to be complicated.

“It is really straightforward. It could be described like this:

• Hearing the word of God with earnest intent leads us to believe in God and to trust His promises.

• The more we trust God, the more our hearts are filled with love for Him and for each other.

• Because of our love for God, we desire to follow Him and bring our actions in alignment with His word.

• Because we love God, we want to serve Him; we want to bless the lives of others and help the poor and the needy.

• The more we walk in this path of discipleship, the more we desire to learn the word of God.

“And so it goes, each step leading to the next and filling us with ever-increasing faith, hope, and charity.

“It is beautifully simple, and it works beautifully.

“Brothers and sisters, if you ever think that the gospel isn’t working so well for you, I invite you to step back, look at your life from a higher plane, and simplify your approach to discipleship. Focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel. I promise that God will guide and bless you on your path to a fulfilling life, and the gospel will definitely work better for you” (“It Works Wonderfully!,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 22).

Improving Our Teaching

Work together with family members. “The people who have the most powerful influence on an individual—for good or ill—are usually those in his or her home. Because the home is the center of gospel living and learning, your efforts to strengthen a class member will be most effective when you work together with … family members” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 8).