“July 9. How Does Jesus Christ Lead His Church? Acts 1–5,” Come, Follow Me—For Aaronic Priesthood Quorums and Young Women Classes: Doctrinal Topics 2023 (2022)
“July 9. How Does Jesus Christ Lead His Church?,” Come, Follow Me—For Aaronic Priesthood Quorums and Young Women Classes: Doctrinal Topics 2023
After His Resurrection, the Savior led His Church through His Apostles, including Peter.
July 9
How Does Jesus Christ Lead His Church?
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.
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Live the gospel. What topics has the bishopric discussed in our ward youth council meetings? What can we do as a class or quorum based on those discussions?
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Care for those in need. How can we reach out to people in Christlike ways when we see a need and don’t know what to say?
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Invite all to receive the gospel. What have we found in the gospel of Jesus Christ that brings us joy? How can we share that joy with others?
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Unite families for eternity. What are we doing to find names of our ancestors who need temple ordinances? What can we do to help others find the names of their ancestors?
At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:
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Testify of the principles taught.
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Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.
Teach the Doctrine
Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes
Prepare Yourself Spiritually
It’s one thing to know that the Church is good, that the Church teaches true principles, or that the Church can help you become a better person. It’s another thing to know that the Church today is literally the Church of Jesus Christ, established by Him and led personally and continually by Him through a living prophet. The book of Acts gives abundant evidence that the Savior is intimately involved in leading His Church. As you study chapters 1–5, look for that evidence, and ponder how you know that He continues to lead His Church today. How has this knowledge blessed you?
Do the youth you teach have a testimony that the Church they belong to is led by the Savior Himself? How would such a testimony bless them? How can you help them gain or strengthen this testimony? In addition to studying Acts 1–5, you might also read Elder Quentin L. Cook’s message “The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 96–100).
Learn Together
To begin your discussion, you could write on the board Jesus Christ led His Church through revelation to His Apostles. Class or quorum members could share something they found in their study of Acts 1–5 that supports this statement. (If necessary, you could direct them to Acts 1:1–8; 2:36–39; 4:1–13, 31–33.) What evidence do we see that Jesus Christ leads His Church in the same way today? Activities like the following can help those you teach strengthen their faith in this important truth.
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You could prepare several questions like these: How does Jesus Christ lead His Church? How can we increase our faith that Jesus Christ is leading His Church? Why do you trust the Lord’s prophets and apostles? Give each class or quorum member one of the questions, and invite them to ponder the question and think of scriptures that could help them answer it (if needed, see “Supporting Resources” for some ideas). Then give time for everyone to share and discuss what they learned.
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To help the class or quorum see how the Lord leads His Church, you might invite them to review the first section of Elder Quentin L. Cook’s message “The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives.” Perhaps each class or quorum member could share something from the message that helps them know that Jesus Christ is actively and personally leading His Church. What other insights do we find in the scriptures under “Supporting Resources”?
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It could also be helpful for the youth to learn more about how the Lord is leading your ward. You might ask the youth to share examples of how the Lord is guiding individual ward leaders, including the class or quorum president. During the week before class, you might ask some ward leaders to share—in person or electronically—experiences that show how the Lord guides them. Class or quorum members could find additional examples in President Henry B. Eyring’s message “The Lord Leads His Church” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 81–84). Why is it important to have faith that the Lord is inspiring our ward leaders?
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Some people feel that if we are good people and do good things, we do not need a church. You might ask the youth how they would respond to this. In his message “The Need for a Church” (Liahona, Nov. 2021, 24–26), President Dallin H. Oaks gave several reasons why churches, including the Lord’s restored Church, are important. The youth could search this message in pairs, in small groups, or as a class or quorum and share what they find.
The Lord guides His Church through revelation, including to class and quorum presidencies.
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
Teaching in the Savior’s Way
To invite the Spirit into your teaching, encourage others to share their personal witness of the truth you are discussing.