Lesson 12
Adjusting to Missionary Life
Missionary preparation involves preparing for the physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental demands of missionary work. Adjusting to Missionary Life (2013) can help missionaries and those preparing for missions manage these demands. It provides guidelines that can help us access the Lord’s strength and find joy in missionary service.
Review and Follow Up
Discussion leader: Invite learners to think about their recent efforts to apply what they are learning in this class. You could invite them to share some of their efforts with a partner or together as a class.
Learning Activity Options
Discussion leader: Prayerfully select the learning option(s) that would be most beneficial for your class. Be sure to leave plenty of time for practice and application.
Note: There are multiple skill practices that relate to the topics in this lesson. Consider using one of the following during the same class period that you teach a learning activity from this lesson: “Talk with Everyone,” “Respond to Feelings of Inadequacy,” “Intentional Breathing,” and “Develop Healthy Thinking Patterns.”
Option A: What can help me adjust to missionary life?
Study
Discussion leader: Invite class members to think about times when they needed to adjust to new situations in their lives. Examples could include moving to a new home, joining the Church, changing schools, meeting a new person, or starting a new job. Ask them to share what their experience was like. Questions such as the following might help with this discussion:
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What was uncomfortable about the change?
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What was exciting about it?
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What helped you adapt to your new situation?
Discussion leader: Show one or more pictures of full-time missionaries, such as the following ones. Invite learners to share what they feel would be exciting about being a full-time missionary and what might be difficult about it.
Discussion leader: Explain that in this learning activity, class members will become acquainted with a resource titled Adjusting to Missionary Life (2013). Help them locate Adjusting to Missionary Life in Gospel Library (Library > Handbooks and Callings > Mission Callings > Adjusting to Missionary Life). Introduce this resource by sharing the following instructions:
Read “Stress Is a Normal Part of Life” in the “Understanding Stress” section of Adjusting to Missionary Life (page 3). Look for the purpose of this booklet.
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How do you think this resource could help you now and in the future?
Practice
Discussion leader: The following activity can help class members have a personalized experience becoming acquainted with Adjusting to Missionary Life. It can also prepare and inspire them to study further from this resource on their own.
Display these instructions and give learners about 10–15 minutes to complete the activity.
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Read “Self-Assessment Record” in Adjusting to Missionary Life (page 11).
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Choose one of the categories from the self-assessment (General, Physical, Emotional, Social, Intellectual, Spiritual) you would like to learn more about.
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Find the section of Adjusting to Missionary Life that relates to the category you chose. Study portions of that section that are most relevant to you. Look for and consider marking teachings that can help you in your current situation.
Discussion leader: After class members have finished studying, invite them to share what they learned with a partner or small group. You could display the following questions and invite partners or group members to discuss them together:
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What were some of the suggestions or teachings you found most helpful?
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What did you learn about how the Lord can help you adjust to the demands of life right now and later as a missionary?
Set a goal
Discussion leader: Give class members time to reflect on what they have learned and set goals. You could display the following to help them:
Set a goal that relates to what you have studied. Use ideas like the following, or think of your own.
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Continue studying the portion of Adjusting to Missionary Life you began studying in this learning activity. Find suggestions you can begin incorporating into your life.
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Create a plan for studying other portions of Adjusting to Missionary Life.
My goal
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I will … (action you will take).
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I will accomplish my goal by … (a simple plan).
Discussion leader: If learners have a group of peers to share their goals with throughout the course, give them time to share how they will support or remind each other before the next class.
Option B: What is it like to be a full-time missionary?
Study
Discussion leader: Consider writing class members’ answers to the following question on the board.
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What questions do you have about what it is like to be a full-time missionary?
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How do missionaries need to exercise faith in Jesus Christ?
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What can you be doing now to prepare for life as a missionary?
Discussion leader: As part of your discussion, you could discuss this statement by Elder David A. Bednar.
The single most important thing you can do to prepare for a call to serve is to become a missionary long before you go on a mission. (“Becoming a Missionary,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 45)
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What do you think it means to become a missionary before you go on a mission?
Discussion leader: Explain that this learning activity will help class members find answers to some of their questions. Use one or more of the following ideas to help them better understand what full-time missionary service is like.
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Invite a few recently returned missionaries to come to class and answer participants’ questions (consider inviting both teaching and service missionaries). They could also describe a typical day for a missionary. Encourage the returned missionaries to describe how they felt the Lord’s help and grew closer to Him during their missionary service.
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Show one of these videos that depict what it is like to be in the Missionary Training Center: “The England Missionary Training Centre” (3:06; ChurchofJesusChrist.org) or “Provo Missionary Training Center Tour” (8:42; YouTube). You could also show “Young Church-Service Missionaries: Serving the Lord” (3:40; ChurchofJesusChrist.org) to help class members learn about service missionary opportunities.
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Invite participants to read “Typical Daily Activities” (2.4.1) and “Sample Daily Schedule” (2.4.2) in Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ. They can find this resource in the Gospel Library (Library > Handbooks and Callings > Mission Callings > Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ).
After they complete the activity or activities you chose, give class members a chance to discuss what they learned. You could ask questions such as the following:
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How is the Lord blessing you as you strive to become a missionary?
Practice
Discussion leader: One way you can help learners “become a missionary” before they serve a mission is to give them opportunities to practice teaching others. Consider asking class members to locate lesson 1, 2, or 3 in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel. Invite them to study about and prepare to teach one of the topics from the “Doctrinal Foundation” section of the lesson. (See lesson 6: “Practice Teaching” in these course materials for ideas about how you can set up this experience.)
After learners have had sufficient time to prepare, invite them to practice teaching someone else in the class.
Set a goal
Discussion leader: Give class members time to reflect on what they have learned and set goals. You could display the following to help them:
Set a goal that relates to what you have studied. Use ideas like the following, or think of your own.
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Write down what you will do to “become a missionary” more fully before you serve a mission.
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See if there is an opportunity for you to participate in a teaching appointment or other proselyting activities with the local, full-time missionaries.
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Talk to people you know who have served a mission. Ask them questions about missionary service.
My goal
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I will … (action you will take).
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I will accomplish my goal by … (a simple plan).
Discussion leader: If learners have a group of peers to share their goals with throughout the course, give them time to share how they will support or remind each other before the next class.
Option C: How can I spiritually prepare myself now for missionary service?
Study
Discussion leader: Read and discuss the following statement by President M. Russell Ballard. You could also watch the video “Stay within the Lines” (5:10; ChurchofJesusChrist.org) as part of this discussion.
What we need now is the greatest generation of missionaries in the history of the Church. We need worthy, qualified, spiritually energized missionaries. … We don’t need you to just fill a position; we need your whole heart and soul. We need vibrant, thinking, passionate missionaries who know how to listen to and respond to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. … As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I call upon you to begin right now … to be fully and completely worthy. (“The Greatest Generation of Missionaries,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 47)
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What stands out to you from this statement?
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Why do you think spiritual preparation and worthiness are important in missionary service?
Discussion leader: As part of your discussion, you could study together Doctrine and Covenants 11:21 and Alma 17:2–3. Participants could also search for examples of how the Savior prepared Himself spiritually for His ministry (see, for instance, Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:35; and John 8:28).
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What are some specific ways you can spiritually prepare now for missionary service?
Discussion leader: Invite learners to make an individual list of answers to the previous question. They could share one or two items on their list with a partner. Point out that they should not share things that are too personal.
Practice
Discussion leader: Explain that prior to their missionary service, prospective missionaries are interviewed by their bishop and stake president to determine their worthiness and readiness to serve.
Invite class members to locate the interview questions for missionary service in the article “Interview Questions” (Liahona, Aug. 2018, 53–54). You could also prepare these questions as a handout. Consider displaying the following instructions:
Take time to silently read through each of the interview questions for missionary service. After you read through the questions, determine what you feel you are doing well, along with improvements you want to make.
Discussion leader: After learners have had time to read through the interview questions, consider discussing the following questions:
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How can reviewing and reflecting on these interview questions help prepare you for missionary service?
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Why is it important to be totally honest with yourself and your priesthood leaders when answering these questions
Set a goal
Discussion leader: Give class members time to reflect on what they have learned and set goals. You could display the following to help them:
Set a goal that relates to what you have studied. Use ideas like the following, or think of your own.
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Determine what you will do to become more spiritually prepared to serve a mission.
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If you haven’t already received your patriarchal blessing, prayerfully consider when the right time would be for you to receive it.
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Participate more in temple and family history work.
My goal
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I will … (action you will take).
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I will accomplish my goal by … (a simple plan).
Discussion leader: If learners have a group of peers to share their goals with throughout the course, give them time to share how they will support or remind each other before the next class.
Next Time
Discussion leader: If you are ready to teach lesson 13 next time, consider inviting class members to think about progress they have made since the beginning of the course in their preparation to serve a mission. You may want to send them a reminder.