Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Ch. 30- Charity
Instructor: Sister Perkins (thanks so much for filling in, you did a great job!)

What is your definition of Charity?

• Pure Love of Christ
• Learn from example of Savior
• Love for one another
• "The life of the Savior reflects His pure love for all people. He even gave His life for us. Charity is that pure love which our Savior Jesus Christ has. He has commanded us to love one another as He loves us. The scriptures tell us that charity comes from a pure heart (see 1 Timothy 1:5). We have pure love when, from the heart, we show genuine concern and compassion for all our brothers and sisters."

Charity is the Greatest of All Virtues:

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12–13).

I was talking to my husband about this lesson and he mentioned the following quote from the lesson: "It may not be necessary for us to give our lives as the Savior did. But we can have charity if we make Him the center of our lives and follow His example and teachings. Like the Savior, we too can bless the lives of our brothers and sisters here on earth."

He made an interesting point....we should be willing to give our lives every single day as we fulfill our church callings, serve one another, pray, read our scriptures, through visiting or home teaching....we should be turning our lives over to the Savior every day because he knows how to make more out of them than we do! That was something I had never thought of in that way before!

Charity Includes Giving to the Sick, Afflicted, and Poor!

"Jesus taught that we should give food to the hungry, shelter to those who have none, and clothes to the poor. When we visit the sick and those who are in prison, it is as if we were doing these things for Him instead. He promises that as we do these things, we will inherit His kingdom. (See Matthew 25:34–46.)"

How Can We Develop Charity in Our Lives?

• First: Study the life of the Savior
• Second: Pray to be more charitable
• Third: Learn to love ourselves and understand our own worth
• Fourth: Avoid thinking we are better than other people

Family Home Evening Ideas:

• Sharing Time: A House or a Home
• Sharing Time: Choices and Gospel Guideposts
• LDS Living: Virtue