Monday, November 2, 2009

The Purpose of Talks in Church

Since any topic can be approached in multiple ways, I always make my first request to a speaker thus:

Pray for guidance as you prepare the talk - and ask specifically that you will be able to prepare a talk that will touch someone's heart. Even if 99% of the members walk away saying, "That was nice," you have succeeded perfectly if one member walks away feeling like God spoke directly to him or her through your talk.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know that this sounds crazy, but I always enjoyed giving talks. I always liked doing the research, and writing the speech. Yes, I've prayed that others would be touched, but sometimes it felt a little presumptuous, because I feel like most people probably already know what I'm just learning and speaking.

A few years ago, however, I had the opportunity to give a talk. I didn't realize this, but a woman had attended sacrament meeting with the missionaries. My talk touched her in a way that changed her mind about the church. She felt the spirit. She wanted me to start coming to the missionary lessons.

I was totally flabbergasted. I learned something, though - it wasn't really me who said anything special, the spirit spoke to her, and I'm glad that I was able to help in that process.

It was and still is humbling to me that the Lord chose to use me as a tool that day.

Anyways, thanks for the post. (PS. she did even end up joining the church!) :)

Patty said...

I think this also goes for preparing lessons. I'm always amazed (I shouldn't be, I know) at the direction and inspiration I'm given each time I have to prepare a lesson. And almost every time I've been told by at least one person that something in the lesson was what they really needed to hear. It's humbling to be used by God for His purposes. Pretty cool, too!