Christ raising the daughter of Jairus

Daughter, Arise, by Simon Dewey

March 12

How Can the Savior Help Me Overcome My Fears?

Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9

counsel together icon

Counsel Together

Led by a member of the class or quorum presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. How have we seen the hand of the Lord in our lives?

• Care for those in need. How can we support each other in the things we are going through?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we better use technology as a tool to share the gospel?

• Unite families for eternity. What are we doing to help our families come unto Christ?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

teach the doctrine icon

Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

Chapter 5 in the book of Mark records that three people approached Jesus who all had reasons to fear. A man with an “unclean spirit” faced a life of isolation, living “in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones” (Mark 5:2, 5). Jairus, a ruler of a synagogue, feared losing his daughter, who was “at the point of death” (Mark 5:23). And a woman with “an issue of blood twelve years” was not healed after spending “all that she had” on “many physicians” (Mark 5:25–26). Each person you teach is unique and faces his or her own fears. But just as the Savior can cast out unclean spirits, raise the dead, and heal a dreadful disease, He can help us when we are afraid. His counsel to Jairus has great power in our lives today: “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36).

To prepare to teach, consider studying Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s message “Be Not Troubled” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 18–21) and Sister Lisa L. Harkness’s message “Peace, Be Still” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 80–82).

Learn Together

You might invite a class or quorum member to summarize the story in Mark 5 of Jesus inviting Jairus to “be not afraid” (see verses 22–24, 35–43), or you could review the story as a group. You might do the same for the other stories in this chapter—the man with the unclean spirit and the woman with the blood condition. How are these fearful situations similar to those we might face in our lives? What can we learn from these stories about the Savior and how to seek His help? The following activities can help the youth increase their faith in Jesus Christ and learn to follow His counsel: “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36).

• The Lord’s invitations not to fear, repeated throughout the scriptures, will bless the youth when they are afraid. Invite them to read the scriptures in “Supporting Resources” and make a poster they could display at home—or a digital poster they could share online—based on the scriptures they read. As they share what they created with each other, invite them to also share what they learned that can help them when they are fearful. When has the Savior helped us during a fearful time?

• Consider showing a picture of the Savior calming the storm, such as the one in the digital version of Sister Lisa L. Harkness’s message “Peace, Be Still” (see also Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 40). Then you or someone you assign could share the account of the Savior calming the storm from Mark 4:35–41 or from Sister Harkness’s message. How are we sometimes like those in the ship? What do we learn from this story about how the Savior can help us when we are fearful? Invite the youth to review Sister Harkness’s message, looking for phrases or sentences that help them have greater faith in Jesus Christ. They could write these on the board. How can our faith in the Savior help us when it is not His will to calm the storms in our lives?

• Several hymns praise the Savior for His comfort and strength in times of challenge and uncertainty, such as “I Need Thee Every Hour” or “Abide with Me!” (Hymns, nos. 98, 166). Perhaps you could sing or read a few of these together, looking for how the Savior can help us.

• Fear and anxiety are normal as we deal with life’s challenges. For some, these feelings can be disabling. Your class or quorum might benefit from a discussion about how the Savior can help those who struggle with varying levels of anxiety. Class or quorum members might review together Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s message “Be Not Troubled” or Elder Erich W. Kopischke’s message “Addressing Mental Health” (Liahona, Nov. 2021, 36–38), looking for truths that are meaningful to them and sharing what they find. Encourage the youth to talk with a trusted parent or leader or visit MentalHealth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org if they need help.

young man studying

The Savior has promised to help us when we turn to Him in times of fear and uncertainty.

Act in Faith

Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Supporting Resources

• Joshua 1:9; Psalm 56:3–4; Isaiah 41:10; John 14:27; 2 Timothy 1:7; Doctrine and Covenants 50:41–44; 68:6

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

As you teach, rather than simply imparting information, help the youth discover gospel truths for themselves in the scriptures and the words of the prophets.