Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 2
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:
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Elder Neil L. Andersen
As the world speaks less of Jesus Christ, let us speak more of Him. As our true colors as His disciples are revealed, many around us will be prepared to listen. (“We Talk of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 90)
Review “The Living Christ” for messages you feel would be especially important to share in a world that is speaking less of Jesus Christ. Be prepared to share what you find with your study partner.
Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 4
Read the following scenario:
Gretchen loves science. From her studies she has learned much about how the natural world works but she has found no satisfying answer as to why the world exists. She has several questions about the purpose for the earth and our lives.
What challenges can someone face if they don’t understand why the earth was created?
Read together Moses 1:27–39, and look for truths that could enrich Gretchen’s view of the Creation. Then ask each group member to choose one of the bullets below and take a few minutes to prepare an answer. Each person could then share their thoughts with the group.
What do you learn about the nature of the Creator from the Creation? How is your faith in Jesus Christ influenced by knowing He created all things?
What thoughts or feelings do you have when you consider that “we are the reason [God] created the universe”? (You may want to review the statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in section 1 of the preparation material.)
What actions have you taken or could you take to help others reach their potential as children of Heavenly Father? (You could invite group members to record anything they might feel prompted to do for someone they know.)
What kind of knowledge can we gain from science? What kind of knowledge can we gain from the scriptures? Why do we need both forms of knowledge? (You may want to review President Russell M. Nelson’s and President Dallin H. Oaks’s statements in section 3 of the preparation material.)
Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 7
Before you start your group discussion, read together the following discussion tip:
Improving Our Group Discussions
Strive for balanced participation. We learn best when we hear from all group members, not just one or two. If you are naturally outgoing and talkative, please be careful to not take over discussions, interrupt, or talk over others. If you are naturally quiet and less talkative, please be courageous and speak up so others can learn from you. Set aside the idea that your opinion does not matter.
Read aloud the following scenario together:
Zane feels overwhelmed by the laws and commandments of God. For a long time, he has felt like he is just not good enough and always falls short. Discouraged by his lack of “progress,” he recently has fallen into a pattern of serious transgression. He feels a loss of the Spirit. He is no longer worthy to have a temple recommend. He wonders if God still loves him, because of his poor choices. He recently said to his friend Maia, “My life is worthless. I am pretty sure God has given up on me.” In response Maia said, “Don’t worry about it. God loves us unconditionally and He will save you regardless of what you have done. That is what the Atonement of Jesus Christ is for.”
Briefly review the conditions that preceded the Flood. Then review Moses 7:28–29, 32–33, 37, and look for what Enoch learned about the nature of God from watching Him see His disobedient children suffer. Then discuss the following questions:
What truths from these verses could help Zane realize that Heavenly Father loves him even though he has broken the commandments? How could this knowledge help improve Zane’s relationship with Heavenly Father? (You could read Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s statement in section 1 of the preparation material as part of this discussion.)
In what way is God’s justice, sometimes manifested by His anger or wrath, an evidence of His love? (Consider reading together the statement by President Dallin H. Oaks in section 1 of the preparation material.) If God were not just, how might this weaken our faith in Him?
What might be misleading about Maia’s perspective on God’s love? (It might be helpful to read Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s statement in section 1.) What might be some better ways to describe God’s love? In what ways have you experienced God’s love?
Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 9
Divide the following reading assignments among your group. As you read, look for how the Lord voluntarily descended from a higher position to a lower status.
The statements by President Tad R. Callister and Elder D. Todd Christofferson in section 2 of the preparation material and the following statement by Sister Wendy Ulrich, former member of the Relief Society general advisory council:
[The Savior] was born as a helpless infant in a mortal body and raised by imperfect [parents]. He had to learn how to walk, talk, work, and get along with others. He got hungry and tired, felt human emotions, and could get ill, suffer, bleed, and die. (“It Isn’t a Sin to Be Weak,” Ensign, Apr. 2015, 33)
Then discuss together the following questions:
What do these readings teach us about the condescension of Jesus Christ?
What does the condescension of Jesus Christ teach us about our Savior’s and our Heavenly Father’s love for us? How does Their love for you affect your love for Them?
Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 10
Take the next few minutes to prepare a brief thought about submitting to the will of God. Your thought should include an example of submission from the scriptures or from your life or the life of someone you know. It might also include how we could apply that example in our lives. Consider using one of the following resources as you prepare:
Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 16
Read through the following questions and focus on those your group would most like to discuss.
What thoughts and feelings do you have for the Savior as you contemplate His suffering on your behalf? What does His willingness to suffer teach us about Him? (Consider reading 1 Nephi 19:9.)
Why did Heavenly Father withdraw His Spirit as the Savior suffered on the cross? (Consider reviewing Mark 15:34 and the statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in section 2 of the preparation material.) How can it help us to remember the Lord’s experience on the cross when we feel alone, forgotten, or forsaken?
How can a testimony of the Lord’s Atonement help us when we doubt our individual worth? (You could review Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–11.) How can focusing on Jesus Christ and His Atonement influence how we view our potential and future?
What message do we send to ourselves and the Savior when we choose to repent? Why might the Lord feel joy when we repent? (see Doctrine and Covenants 18:13).
If someone feels unsure about the reality of the Lord’s Atonement, what could she or he do to gain a testimony of it?
Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 21
Imagine that you have been given the opportunity to create a brief video that expresses how you hear the Savior’s voice. Write a brief outline of what you would share in response to the prompt “How I hear Him.” The following questions might help as you create your outline:
What experiences have helped you to understand better how the Lord speaks to you?
What might be significant about the phrases “while the bridegroom tarried” (Matthew 25:5) and “at midnight there was a cry made” (verse 6)?
Why were five of the virgins described as foolish? (You could discuss what the phrases “I know you not” [verse 12] and “Ye know me not” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 25:11 [in Matthew 25:12, footnote a]) teach us about these virgins’ preparation.)
Identify one or two common examples of how we as members of the Church might choose to be like the foolish virgins. Be prepared to share your examples with a group who discussed the wise virgins.
Why didn’t the wise virgins share their oil with the foolish virgins?
Identify one or two examples of how we as members of the Church can choose to be like the wise virgins as we prepare for the Second Coming. Be prepared to share your examples with a group who discussed the foolish virgins.
Jesus Christ Is “the Righteous Judge” (2 Timothy 4:8)
Jesus Christ Is “the Righteous Judge” (2 Timothy 4:8)
Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 24
Read aloud Psalm 9:8 and 96:11–13. Then invite each group member to share an attribute from the life of the Savior that demonstrates that Jesus Christ judges all people with righteousness. As you share attributes, you may want to discuss the following questions:
How might this attribute affect how Jesus Christ judges us?
In what way does this attribute increase your trust in the Savior’s suitability to be your judge?
After identifying specific attributes, discuss how Jesus Christ is different from all human judges. (Consider reviewing the statements by President Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Richard G. Scott in section 1 of the preparation material.) You could also discuss why it is important that the Savior embodies all of these attributes as our judge.
Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 25
Consider each statement and rate yourself using the following scale: 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = somewhat disagree, 3 = neither agree nor disagree, 4 = somewhat agree, and 5 = strongly agree.
I sincerely strive to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I try to keep the Savior’s commandments every day.
I try to love and serve those around me as Jesus Christ would.
I strive to sacrifice worldly desires to follow the Savior.