Rules for Happy Living - Lesson 1
Teacher
Lesson Summary
During the class, Larry Johnson introduced the “Rules for Happy Living” series created by the late Elder Paul Cantrell, emphasizing the first rule: remember you are blessed. He linked this concept to Scripture, using Matthew 12:43‑45 to illustrate how an empty spiritual house can invite greater evil if good is not actively placed within. The lesson turned to Genesis 27:41, recounting the bitter rivalry between Esau and Jacob, and prompted a poll to assess who was most at fault for the conflict. Larry highlighted the selfish actions of Jacob, the impulsive choices of Esau, and the lack of trust exhibited by Isaac and Rebecca, showing how their failures led to estrangement, fear, and lasting consequences. The class then shifted to the reconciliation narrative in Genesis 33:1‑11, where Jacob’s humble bowing and Esau’s warm embrace demonstrated the transformative power of humility and forgiveness. Larry connected these biblical examples to the modern principle that gratitude and acknowledgment of God’s blessings can resolve personal conflicts, encouraging participants to apply thankfulness as a habit for happy living. The session closed with a call to reflect on the personal cost of harboring conflict and to pursue reconciliation through blessed gratitude.
Key Scriptures
When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, but finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house, from which I came out.' And when he comes, he finds it swept and cleaned. Then he goes and brings with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first. So it will be also with this evil generation.
Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him.