The Savior’s Atonement: Foundation of True Christianity, by Kirk Richards

The Savior’s Atonement: Foundation of True Christianity, by J. Kirk Richards

June 25

What Does Jesus Christ’s Atonement Mean to Me?

Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19

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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 come closer to the Savior? How are we trying to be more like Him?

• Care for those in need. Who has been on our minds lately? How can we help these individuals?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we answer our friends’ questions about the Church in a way that strengthens their faith in the Savior?

• Unite families for eternity. What are some ways we can better connect with extended family members, such as grandparents and cousins?

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.

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Teach the Doctrine

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

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

Elder David A. Bednar has observed that some Latter-day Saints “seem to have faith in the Savior, but they do not believe His promised blessings are available to them” (“If Ye Had Known Me,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 104). In other words, even though we believe that Jesus Christ suffered and died for the sins of the world, we might wonder if He suffered and died specifically for our sins. Have you ever felt that way? How would the people in your class or quorum benefit from understanding that the Savior’s Atonement applies to them personally? How can you help them?

Ponder these questions as you read about the Savior’s Crucifixion this week. As you prepare to teach about the personal nature of Christ’s Atonement, you might study President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “What Has Our Savior Done for Us?” (Liahona, May 2021, 75–77).

Learn Together

Invite class or quorum members to share something they learned about the Savior’s Crucifixion this past week in the New Testament and their feelings about the Savior. To help prompt them, you could ask a question like “What do we learn about Jesus Christ from the things He said and did during His final hours?” For example, you could explore instances when the Savior, while suffering for all, still viewed those around Him with compassion (see, for example, Luke 23:34, 39–43; John 19:25–27). This could lead to a discussion about how Jesus Christ’s Atonement is both universal and personal. Activities like the following can help you further discuss the Savior’s Atonement.

• In the first paragraph of his message “What Has Our Savior Done for Us?,” President Dallin H. Oaks described a conversation with a woman who wasn’t convinced that Jesus Christ had done anything for her. Perhaps class or quorum members could read that paragraph, putting themselves in President Oaks’s place. What might we say to this woman? You could give each class or quorum member one of the numbered sections of President Oaks’s message. Using what they learn, along with their own experiences, they could then share their own answers to the question “What has Jesus Christ done for me?”

• To inspire a discussion about how the Savior’s Atonement affects us personally, you could write on the board a phrase like Because Jesus Christ suffered and died for all people … . Class or quorum members could suggest ways to complete the sentence. Then you could change the phrase to read Because Jesus Christ suffered and died for me … and invite any additional suggestions. As class or quorum members discuss these statements, encourage them to read the scriptures in “Supporting Resources.” What do these scriptures teach us about the influence of the Savior’s Atonement in our individual lives?

• Another way to study the scriptures in “Supporting Resources” could be to invite the youth to replace words in the verses so that the verses are addressed directly to them. How does doing this affect our feelings about the truths in the verses? How can we show our gratitude for the Savior’s sacrifice for us?

• Sacred music can testify powerfully of Jesus Christ. Consider inviting class or quorum members to come prepared to share hymns that help them feel the power of the Savior’s Atonement in their own lives. (They could look at sacrament hymns or the entry “Jesus Christ—Savior” in the topics index of Hymns.) Ask class or quorum members to identify phrases in the hymns that help them feel the Savior’s love for them personally. You might also talk about how the Savior’s sacrifice affects our daily lives. For example, how does it affect the choices we make?

Christ in Gethsemane

Christ in Gethsemane, by Dan Burr

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

• 1 Corinthians 15:20–22; 2 Corinthians 12:7–9; Alma 7:11–12; 3 Nephi 11:10–11

• Tad R. Callister, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 85–87

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

Sincere expressions of Christlike love have great power to soften the hearts of class members who are struggling with the gospel. Often these individuals simply need to know that they are needed and loved.