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Learning from the Example of Righteous Leaders

Learning from the Example of Righteous Leaders

Jesus teaching people

Purpose

Did you know that you’re a leader? That’s true even if you don’t have a formal leadership assignment right now. You can become an even better leader by studying the lives of righteous leaders—their accomplishments, challenges, testimonies, and daily habits.

Description

Invite each participant to spend a few minutes researching the life of a leader of the Church in the LDS.org Newsroom, and then present what he or she learned about that leader (including one spiritual trait that helps that person be a good leader). Then make a plan for something specific you want to do to be like that leader. Share your goal with others. Help each other to be successful.

More Ideas

  • Learn how the Savior leads—Study the Christlike attributes in Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service (2004), 115–26, or an article such as “Leading Like the Savior” (Ryan Carr, Ensign or Liahona, July 2014, 72–73). Look for and share leadership patterns. Discuss ways you can lead as the Savior does, regardless of having a specific assignment.

  • Leaders in the scriptures—Invite each participant to choose a leader in the scriptures such as Captain Moroni, Mormon, Joseph Smith, Emma Smith, Esther, or Paul. Give participants materials for making posters or flash cards for each individual that include highlights of that person’s life. Then invite participants to teach the other group members about what they learned about leadership from the person they chose.

  • Local leadership panel—Organize a panel of local leaders to talk about leadership. Invite a variety of people to be on the panel, such as parents, youth leaders, and adult leaders. You might want to give panel members some sample questions ahead of time so they can be prepared.

  • Leadership workshops—Plan a series of workshops based on the principles outlined in “Leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ” in Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010). You may ask quorum or class presidencies to help lead these workshops. Keep a journal noting each principle, what it is, and why it matters.

Discussion

Encourage participants to talk about what they are learning. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity. You could ask questions like the following:

  • Why do you think it is important to learn about righteous leaders?

  • When have you been blessed by the example of a righteous leader?

  • What feelings or impressions do you have about preparing to be a righteous leader?

  • How can you apply what you are learning in your life?

Related Resources

Sabbath Day Lessons

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