We had a wonderful Young Women class presidency leadership training recently. We began with discussing class presidency responsibilities (found here), and how to use an agenda (found here), then talked about being “Fishers of Men” after watching this video.
We then wrote down qualities of good fishermen, and related those qualities to being good “Fishers of Men”. Some of the responses are following:
- patient (we can be patient with one another)
- not afraid of getting wet or dirty (getting out of comfort zone)
- feed their families and friends (serve others)
- know where and when to find fish (knowledge, skills)
- endure to the end (don’t give up)
- peaceful (no contention)
- early riser (sacrifice – sometimes we have to give up chatting with our best friends to fellowship someone new)
- faithful (they believe the fish will bite, and we can believe Christ will help us do His work)
We gave each young woman a fisherman’s hat and explained that a good fisherman uses many tools to be successful. After placing various fishing gear on the table in front of them, the girls were challenged to take one or two items and explain how each thing could be related to being fishers of men in their classes. After each explanation the girls would attach the item to their hats.
Fishing line (A tangled piece of fishing line on a pin): taking action – casting a line is making a commitment and following through (being dependable and accountable)
Hook (I decided the real hooks were too dangerous, so used Christmas ornament hooks!): connect with one another – sticking close, being friends, being firmly attached to a testimony of Christ
Bobber (attach with pin): helps keep the hook at the proper depth, moves the line where it’s difficult for fisherman to go – meetings and agendas help us assess where we are and where we need to be, help us catch the difficult to find fish
Lure (attach with pin): fun activities, genuine friendliness
Tackle box (attach small lidded box with sticky-backed Velcro): personal righteousness, prayer – scripture study, keep commandments
Net (piece of tulle): working together to catch many fish – safety net to each other to help make good decisions
Worms (attach with safety pin): being brave, stepping outside of comfort zone
We finished with the following quote:
Elder Robert D. Hales, of the Quorum of the Twelve, mentioned that “the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming.” Even though we have all experienced this, we need not be afraid or think we are inadequate. “The Savior has promised that he will make us equal to his work. ‘Follow me,’ He said, ‘And I will make you fishers of men’ (Matthew 4:19). As we follow him, he blesses us with gifts, talents and the strength to do his will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we’ve never before thought possible. This may mean sharing the gospel with neighbors, rescuing those who are spiritually lost, (leaving your comfort zone and talking with someone you don’t know well, trying to befriend someone older or younger than you,) enduring misunderstandings or suffering affliction. It means preparing ourselves to answer his call by saying, ‘I’ll go where you want me to go; I’ll say what you want me to say; I’ll do what you want me to do; I’ll be what you want me to be.’”
Refreshments could include a chocolate fondue with fruit, bread and gummy worms, or something savory like Spinach dip with pretzel rods and giant Goldfish crackers!
You can download a printable version of this leadership training here.