Mission Callings
Lesson 13: Go Forward in Faith

Lesson 13

Go Forward in Faith

elders smiling

This lesson is intended to help learners evaluate their progress and growth as disciples of Jesus Christ during their participation in the Missionary Preparation course.

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.

Suggested Learning Activity

Reflect on spiritual growth

Discussion leader: You could display images of Jesus Christ in prayer and Joseph Smith reading the Bible. Invite learners to ponder the images as they read Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; and Joseph Smith—History 1:12–13. Encourage them to look for a common message in these verses.

praying hands
joseph smith studying the scriptures

  • What do the scriptures say both the Savior and Joseph Smith did to grow spiritually?

  • How was Joseph Smith’s life changed by reflecting on what he had read in James 1:5?

Discussion leader: Explain that taking time to prayerfully ponder and reflect on our spiritual progress can help us receive guidance from the Lord.

To help class members do this, you could draw three stick figures on the board and label them Beginning of Class, Today, and Six Months from Now. Then share the instructions below:

three stick figures

Reflect on your spiritual growth since you began this class. Also, consider progress you still want to make. Write down your thoughts and spiritual impressions. Questions such as these can help:

Looking back

  • Compared to your readiness prior to taking this class, what are some ways you now feel better prepared to serve a mission or to share the gospel with others?

  • How has studying Preach My Gospel affected you?

  • How has your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ changed?

  • What experiences during or outside of class have made a difference for you?

Moving forward

  • What do you still want to do to continue preparing for missionary service? What do you feel your next steps should be to achieve these goals?

  • Who do you want to help come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? What will you do to help them?

Discussion leader: Invite learners to discuss answers they feel comfortable sharing with a partner or small group. This could also be a good time to invite willing class members to share their testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel with the class.

Consider concluding by sharing the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar:

Elder David A. Bednar

You can increase in your desire to serve God, and you can begin to think as missionaries think, to read what missionaries read, to pray as missionaries pray, and to feel what missionaries feel. You can avoid the worldly influences that cause the Holy Ghost to withdraw, and you can grow in confidence in recognizing and responding to spiritual promptings. Line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, you can gradually become the missionary you hope to be and the missionary the Savior expects. (“Becoming a Missionary,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 46)

Discussion leader: Express your love for the participants, your testimony of the Savior, and your feelings about the importance of preaching His gospel. Encourage learners to go forward in faith in their preparation, so they can become the missionaries and disciples the Lord would have them become.