Brief summary
Elder Neil L. Andersen teaches that faith in Jesus Christ gives us the spiritual courage to choose the right, and acting courageously strengthens our faith in Him. Discipleship requires more than believing in the Saviour; it requires the willingness to follow Him when doing so is difficult, unpopular, inconvenient or frightening.
He explains that spiritual courage develops through personal prayer, quiet reflection, keeping our covenants and commandments, accepting opportunities to serve, repenting, and speaking openly about Jesus Christ.
Key quotes and questions to discuss or ponder
‘Faith and courage are hallmarks of disciples of Jesus Christ.’ (Paragraph 3)
What do you think Elder Andersen means by this?
‘It has always taken spiritual courage, born of faith in Jesus Christ, to be His disciple.’ (Paragraph 6)
What is the difference between simply believing in Jesus Christ and having the spiritual courage to follow Him?
‘Spiritual courage is the triumph over obstacles, doubt, and fear in choosing the right.’ (Paragraph 5)
How would you define spiritual courage?
‘We need stillness to nourish our faith in Christ.’ (Paragraph 10)
Why is stillness important for developing faith in a world full of information and distractions?
‘As we choose faith in Christ, He blesses us with the courage, sometimes in very difficult situations, to choose the right, and as we manifest our courage to choose the right, our faith in Christ strengthens.’ (Paragraph 11)
How do faith and courage strength each other?
‘It is our faith in Jesus Christ that gives us the desire to humbly kneel alone and pray to our Heavenly Father. In those quiet moments when we speak with our Heavenly Father privately, independently, we are given the increased courage to choose the right.’ (Paragraph 13)
How has prayer helped you to choose the right?
What examples of faith and courage most impressed you in paragraphs 15-22?
‘With our hope alive in Christ, even with life’s challenges, we too may be, as the Apostle Paul said, “troubled on every side, yet not distressed; … perplexed, but not in despair.”’ (Paragraph 23)
What is this hope in Christ and how does it help use through life’s troubles?
‘I promise you that as you strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ by believing and following Him and keeping His commandments, your answers will come, your spiritual power will increase, and your courage in following Christ will define your eternal soul.’ (Paragraph 24)
Have you experienced this?
Invitations
- Strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ.
- Keep your covenants courageously.
- Make room for stillness and prayer.
- Act on opportunities to serve.
- Have the courage to speak of Christ.
- Trust Christ through adversity.
Application
What is one courageous choice Jesus Christ is inviting me to make today?
You can watch Elder Andersen’s talk here.
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