Love, No Pressure • followHIM Favorites • May 11-17 • Come, Follow Me

3 min

•May 7, 202624 days ago

Summary

The followHIM Favorites episode explores natural, organic approaches to faith-sharing and missionary work through a story from Elder Robert E. Wells' book. The hosts discuss how genuine kindness and normal conversation—rather than formal approaches—can naturally lead others to faith experiences, connecting this principle to Deuteronomy 6-7's teaching about sharing faith naturally throughout daily life.

Insights

Missionary work becomes less intimidating and more effective when approached as natural conversation rather than formal evangelism
Authentic kindness and genuine interest in others can create faith-sharing opportunities without explicit religious framing
Teaching and sharing faith principles should be integrated into everyday moments and relationships, not compartmentalized
Removing pressure and expectations from faith-sharing interactions paradoxically increases their effectiveness and authenticity
People are often more receptive to faith experiences when invited by someone they perceive as genuinely caring rather than agenda-driven

Trends

Shift from formal, structured religious outreach to organic, relationship-based faith engagementEmphasis on authenticity and natural conversation in religious education and community buildingIntegration of faith principles into everyday life rather than designated religious settingsLow-pressure, invitation-based approaches to religious participation gaining prominenceFocus on personal example and kindness as primary tools for faith-sharing rather than doctrinal arguments

Topics

Missionary work and faith-sharingNatural religious education in daily lifeDeuteronomy 6-7 biblical teachingsOrganic community building and invitationReducing anxiety in religious outreachAuthentic kindness as spiritual practiceTeaching faith to children and new believersLow-pressure evangelism approachesReligious community integrationPersonal example in faith-sharing

People

Elder Robert E. Wells

His book provided the story about a college student's natural missionary work experience that illustrates the episode...

Dr. Cammie Anderson

Upcoming guest expert in poverty relief, education, and Deuteronomy principles for the following week's episode

John

Co-host of followHIM Favorites who shared the Elder Robert E. Wells story about natural missionary work

Quotes

"Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. Thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house. And when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up."

Deuteronomy 6-7 (cited by John)•Opening

"They are both large and normal and natural."

John•Early in episode

"Hey, you want to come to church with me? Sure. What a great idea. That's an easy thing to say to somebody."

Host•Mid-episode

"Maybe missionary work would be a lot easier if we didn't know someone was a member. Right. We just talked to him. We wouldn't be so nervous."

Host•Mid-episode

"You were so nice to me. I just thought I'd come with you."

Non-member in story•Story climax

Full Transcript

Welcome to Follow Him Favorites. This is where John and I share a single story to go with each week's Come Follow Me lesson. John, we're in Deuteronomy this week. Tell me what you have in mind. I have a story. This is Deuteronomy 6-7. Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. Thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house. And when thou walkest by the way, I love that, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up. They are both large and normal and natural. This reminded me of a story from Elder Robert E. Wells' book. I actually, we've told another Follow Him Favorite from his book about the cheapest book in the used bookstore. This story, there was a kid who was going to college, I believe it was in Wyoming. The church was kind of far away, but on Sunday, first week of the semester, he wanted to go to church, so he got on the bus. He gets out of the bus to go up the hill where the church is. He sees somebody walking in front of him who's dressed up like he is and he runs up and says, hey, are you new in school this semester? He says, yeah, I'm just starting. He says, great, you want to go to church with me? Sure. They go to church together. They go to sacred meeting. And at the end of the sacred meeting, he looks at his new friend and he says, so, are you an elder or a priest? He says, huh? He says, well, a priest, do you hold to go to the next meeting? He goes, I don't know what you mean. And it kind of dawns on him. Wait, are you a member of this church? No. He goes, well, you sang the hymns. That was okay, wasn't it? Yeah. Well, you took the sacrament. Yeah, that was like the Lord's Supper, huh? And he goes, well, why did you come with me? And he said, oh, well, my church is further up the street, but you are so nice to me. I just thought I'd come with you. Come with you. Well, that's beautiful. He had no idea he was doing missionary work. No, normal, natural. Hey, want to come to church with me? Sure. What a great idea. That's an easy thing to say to somebody. Hey, you want to come with me? Yeah. That's so great. Maybe missionary work would be a lot easier if we didn't know someone was a member. Right. We just talked to him. We wouldn't be so nervous. Oh, I love it. So the guy just goes to church with him. Sure. Yeah, I'll go with you. You were so nice. I'll come with you. You can find out what an elder and a priest is later, right? He's probably sitting in sacrament meeting never to talk on missionary work. And he's like, I wish I could do more missionary work. You wish you could do more missionary work? Yeah, yeah, sure. Hey, we are in the book of Deuteronomy this week. We're in Deuteronomy 6-7 this week with Dr. Cammie Anderson. She has done some incredible work helping the poor and the needy and those who need education. And you want to come over and hear her. She is an expert in this field and draws out some of those principles from the book of Deuteronomy in ways you've never seen. Then come back here next week. We'll do another follow him favorites.