baby Jesus

Delivered, by Jenedy Paige

December 24

How Does Jesus Christ Show His Love for Me?

Christmas

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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 are we finding joy in following Jesus Christ?

• Care for those in need. Who in our ward or community needs our help? How can we help them?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we help each other prepare for missionary service?

• Unite families for eternity. How can we contribute to our ward’s efforts to do family history and temple work?

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

Before He was born, Jesus Christ was known as the great Jehovah. He was the Father’s “Beloved and Chosen from the beginning” (Moses 4:2), full of glory, grace, and truth (see John 17:5; Doctrine and Covenants 93:11). And yet when He was born, Mary “laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). Why was Jesus Christ willing to accept His role as Savior even though it meant coming to earth in the lowliest of circumstances? The simple answer is that He loves us. When Nephi saw the Savior’s birth in vision, he testified of “the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things” (1 Nephi 11:22).

Christmas is a special time to ponder how the Savior’s birth and His atoning sacrifice demonstrate His love for you. As you prepare to help the youth you teach feel the Savior’s love, consider reviewing Luke 4:16–21; John 3:16–17; 3 Nephi 27:13–16; and Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s message “The Love of God” (Liahona, Nov. 2021, 16–19).

Learn Together

As your class or quorum approaches the end of your New Testament study this year, you might ask the youth to share some favorite New Testament stories in which the Savior showed His love for those around Him. You could even read some of these stories together. What do these stories teach us about the Savior’s love for us? To help you further discuss the Savior’s love, use activities like the following.

• Invite the members of your class or quorum to think of the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us as a beautiful bouquet of flowers (see Russell M. Nelson, “Divine Love,” Ensign, Feb. 2003, 24). Consider giving each person a flower cut out of paper and asking them each to read one of the scripture passages in “Supporting Resources.” Ask them to write on their flowers what they learn about the love Heavenly Father and Jesus have for us. As they share what they learned, they could put their flowers together to create a bouquet. How can we better recognize the ways Heavenly Father and Jesus show Their love for us?

• Several hymns describe ways that the Savior shows His love for us (see, for example, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Hymns, no. 136). Class or quorum members could select a hymn and share experiences when they have felt the Savior’s love in ways that are similar to those described in the hymn. What are some other ways the Savior has shown His love for us? As followers of Christ, how can we help others feel His love?

• There are many false ideas in the world about God’s love for us. For instance, some might think that when people are wealthy or prosperous, it means that God loves them more than others. Some might feel that if God truly loved us, He would accept us as we are and not ask us to change. What false messages about God’s love have we heard? To help counter these false messages, you might ask the youth to review Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s message “The Love of God” or President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “Love and Law” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 26–29). What truths do we find in these messages that help us understand God’s love for us?

flowers

The love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can be compared to a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

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

• John 3:16–17; 15:9–13; Romans 8:35–39; Hebrews 12:5–6, 9–11; 1 Nephi 11:21–23; Alma 7:11–12; 3 Nephi 11:13–17; Moroni 7:45–48

• Michael John U. Teh, “Our Personal Savior,” Liahona, May 2021, 99–101

• Taniela B. Wakolo, “God Loves His Children,” Liahona, May 2021, 94–96

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

Everything the Savior did throughout His earthly ministry was motivated by love—His love for His Father and His love for all of us. With Christlike love in our hearts, we will seek every possible way to help others learn of Christ and come unto Him. Love will be the reason and motivation for our teaching.