Purpose: To help class members have a greater understanding and appreciation of Jesus Christ as the Light of the World and the Good Shepherd.
John 9–10
• Jesus healed a man who had been born blind (John 9:1–7). How did the healed man’s testimony grow as he continued to share it? (See John 9:11, 17, 33, 38.) How has your testimony grown as you have shared it?
• How did the parents of the man who had been blind respond when the Pharisees asked them about the miracle? (See John 9:18–23.) Why did the parents respond this way? (See John 9:22.) How are we sometimes like this man’s parents? How can you be more valiant in your testimony?
• In Jesus’ discussion of the shepherd and his sheep, whom do the sheep represent? (See John 10:4, 27.) Who is the shepherd? (See John 10:11.) What are some qualities of a good shepherd? (See John 10:3–4, 7, 9–15.) How is Jesus the perfect example of a shepherd?
Suggestion for Family Discussion
Read John 9:1–38, asking family members to look for ways the Savior helped the blind man see both physically and spiritually. Discuss how spiritual sight and physical sight are alike and different. Ask family members to discuss ways they can increase their ability to “see” gospel truths.
Scripture Chain: Jesus Christ—“The Good Shepherd”
Psalm 23:1–6
Isaiah 40:11
Ezekiel 34:11–12
John 10:11
Mosiah 26:21
Alma 5:60
Conclusion: Jesus is the Light of the World and the Good Shepherd. The Lord has helped me to see spiritually and to follow him both through trials and through time of celebration. My life would not be what it is without his guidance, love, and support. May each of us come to know the Good Shepherd so that we may be guided and protected through this life.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Lesson 15: I Am the Light of the World
Purpose: To strengthen class members’ testimonies that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that by following him we can gain true freedom.
John 7–8
• What did Jesus instruct the people to do to gain a testimony of his teachings? (See John 7:17.) How can you apply this instruction in your life?
• What does it mean that Jesus is the light of the world? (See the scripture chain in this section.) How can you help others see the light that Christ offers? (See Matthew 5:16; 28:18–20; Philippians 2:14–15.)
• What did Jesus promise to those who would continue to follow him? (See John 8:31–32.) What does truth free us from? (See John 8:33–34.) How does committing sin place us in bondage? (See Alma 12:11; 34:35.) How has knowing the truth made you free?
Suggestion for Family Discussion
Turn off the lights in the room, and close the curtains or blinds. Ask a family member to do a simple task requiring sight, such as reading a scripture or describing a picture. Then turn on the lights, open the curtains or blinds, and ask the family member to do the task again. Discuss why it is easier to do the task with the light on. Read John 8:12, and ask family members to discuss ways that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Jesus Christ—“The Light of the World”
Scripture Chain:
John 7–8
• What did Jesus instruct the people to do to gain a testimony of his teachings? (See John 7:17.) How can you apply this instruction in your life?
• What does it mean that Jesus is the light of the world? (See the scripture chain in this section.) How can you help others see the light that Christ offers? (See Matthew 5:16; 28:18–20; Philippians 2:14–15.)
• What did Jesus promise to those who would continue to follow him? (See John 8:31–32.) What does truth free us from? (See John 8:33–34.) How does committing sin place us in bondage? (See Alma 12:11; 34:35.) How has knowing the truth made you free?
Suggestion for Family Discussion
Turn off the lights in the room, and close the curtains or blinds. Ask a family member to do a simple task requiring sight, such as reading a scripture or describing a picture. Then turn on the lights, open the curtains or blinds, and ask the family member to do the task again. Discuss why it is easier to do the task with the light on. Read John 8:12, and ask family members to discuss ways that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Jesus Christ—“The Light of the World”
Scripture Chain:
Conclusion: Jesus Christ is our Savior; only he can free us from the bondage of sin. May we follow Christ, “the light of the world,” so he may guide us to spiritual safety.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Lesson 14: “Who Is My Neighbour?
Purpose: To help class members humble themselves, forgive others, and show charity for one another.
Matthew 18; Luke 10
• What is Jesus’ counsel to those who desire to achieve true greatness in his kingdom? (See Matthew 18:2–4; Mark 9:35.) How can we become more childlike and more submissive to the will of our Father in Heaven?
• In teaching the parable of the unmerciful servant, Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others (Matthew 18:23–35) . How are we like the king’s servant in our debt to the Lord? What can you learn from the king’s example in forgiving others? What are some of the dangers of not forgiving others? (See Matthew 18:34–35.)
• What can you learn from the parable of the good Samaritan? (See Luke 10:25–37.) How have you been blessed by “good Samaritans”? How can you be a “good Samaritan”? (See Mosiah 4:26.)
**There is a remarkable article that provides incredible insight that I would highly recommend reviewing! Here is the link: http://lds.org/liahona/2007/02/the-good-samaritan-forgotten-symbols?lang=eng&query=parable+unmerciful+servant . The title is: The Good Samaritan: Forgotten Symbols By John W. Welch; Brigham Young University professor, J. Reuben Clark Law School, and editor in chief, BYU Studies
Suggestion for Family Discussion Read the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). Give particular attention to the Savior’s invitation to “go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37). Then make a list of your friends, relatives, and other acquaintances, asking each family member to contribute at least one name to the list. Make plans to serve one or two of the people on the list in the coming week.
As part of this family discussion, you may want to sing together “Have I Done Any Good?” (Hymns, no. 223).
Scripture Chain: “Love Thy Neighbour” Luke 10:25–37
Leviticus 19:18
Matthew 22:35–40
John 13:34–35
Mosiah 2:17
D&C 38:24–25
Conclusion: We can follow the Savior’s example by humbling ourselves, forgiving others, and showing charity for one another. May each of us live these teachings.
Matthew 18; Luke 10
• What is Jesus’ counsel to those who desire to achieve true greatness in his kingdom? (See Matthew 18:2–4; Mark 9:35.) How can we become more childlike and more submissive to the will of our Father in Heaven?
• In teaching the parable of the unmerciful servant, Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others (Matthew 18:23–35) . How are we like the king’s servant in our debt to the Lord? What can you learn from the king’s example in forgiving others? What are some of the dangers of not forgiving others? (See Matthew 18:34–35.)
• What can you learn from the parable of the good Samaritan? (See Luke 10:25–37.) How have you been blessed by “good Samaritans”? How can you be a “good Samaritan”? (See Mosiah 4:26.)
**There is a remarkable article that provides incredible insight that I would highly recommend reviewing! Here is the link: http://lds.org/liahona/2007/02/the-good-samaritan-forgotten-symbols?lang=eng&query=parable+unmerciful+servant . The title is: The Good Samaritan: Forgotten Symbols By John W. Welch; Brigham Young University professor, J. Reuben Clark Law School, and editor in chief, BYU Studies
Suggestion for Family Discussion Read the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). Give particular attention to the Savior’s invitation to “go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37). Then make a list of your friends, relatives, and other acquaintances, asking each family member to contribute at least one name to the list. Make plans to serve one or two of the people on the list in the coming week.
As part of this family discussion, you may want to sing together “Have I Done Any Good?” (Hymns, no. 223).
Scripture Chain: “Love Thy Neighbour” Luke 10:25–37
Leviticus 19:18
Matthew 22:35–40
John 13:34–35
Mosiah 2:17
D&C 38:24–25
Conclusion: We can follow the Savior’s example by humbling ourselves, forgiving others, and showing charity for one another. May each of us live these teachings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)