“Matthew 1; Luke 1,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)
The Annunciation, by John Scott
Matthew 1; Luke 1
The angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and announced the birth of John the Baptist. Gabriel also appeared to Mary and declared that she would be the mother of the Son of God. Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary, learned in a dream that she would give birth to a son who would be the Savior. This son was to be named Jesus.
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Matthew 1; Luke 1”
The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.
Encouraging Personal Study
Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:
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How can truths taught to Mary (see Luke 1:31–35) and Joseph (see Matthew 1:20–23) about the birth of Jesus help strengthen our testimonies of His role as our Savior? How can these truths help us make Christmas a more Christ-centered experience?
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Read the testimonies of Elisabeth and Mary in Luke 1:39–55, and think about how your testimony of the Savior might influence others.
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What is a difficulty you have faced or are now facing? Read Matthew 1:18–25 and Luke 1:26–38 to see what you can learn from Joseph and Mary about doing hard things.
Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Matthew 1; Luke 1.
Skill Training
Luke 1:28–35 and Matthew 1:20–25 might be helpful places to use the skill “Focusing on Jesus Christ in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.
Learning Activity Options
Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class.
Improving Our Teaching and Learning
Focus on the Savior. “No matter what you are teaching, remember that you are really teaching about Jesus Christ and how to become like Him. The Holy Ghost can help you learn to recognize truths about the Savior and His redeeming power in each gospel principle, commandment, and prophetic teaching (see Jacob 7:10–11)” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2022], 6).
Am I ready for Christ?
Invite students to think about how they celebrate Christmas in their home or culture. Then ask if they have ever heard the oft-asked question “Are you ready for Christmas?” Point out that Elder David A. Bednar suggested we ask a different question: “Are you and I ready for Christ?” (see “Elder Bednar’s Teachings Help Us Find the Savior in Christmas Symbols,” Dec. 20, 2022, newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
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How might thinking deeply about Elder Bednar’s question help you become a more Christ-centered person? How might it help you make the Christmas season a more Christ-centered experience?
Explain that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced she would be the mother of the Son of God. After Mary became pregnant, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him that the child Mary carried was “of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:20). From these experiences, Mary and Joseph learned important truths about the birth of Jesus Christ. These truths helped them to be “ready for Christ.” To help students identify these truths, consider writing on the board the following incomplete statements.
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Jesus Christ is … |
Jesus Christ will … |
Students could form small groups and search Luke 1:28–35 and Matthew 1:20–25, looking for ways to complete the statements on the board. You could then invite students to record how they would complete these sentences. Encourage students to look for names, titles, and roles of Jesus Christ (see “Focusing on Jesus Christ in the Scriptures,” Scripture Study Skills).
After students have recorded their completed statements, have them share in their groups what they found. This could include statements like the following: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus Christ is the son of a mortal mother. Jesus Christ will reign over the house of Jacob forever. Jesus Christ will save His people from their sins. Jesus Christ (Emmanuel) will be with us.
Invite groups to select one statement and discuss how knowing this truth about the Savior could (1) increase our understanding of His divine mission and (2) strengthen our faith in Him.
You could conclude this activity by asking:
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How do you think knowing these truths may have helped prepare Mary and Joseph to be “ready for Christ”?
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How can you remember to be “ready for Christ” at Christmastime and throughout the year?
Note: If your students want to discuss the significance of Jesus Christ’s unique parentage, consider reviewing together “Luke 1:31–35. Why did Jesus need to have a mortal mother and an immortal Father?” and “Matthew 1:20. What do we know about the conception of Jesus Christ?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
How are we blessed by hearing and sharing testimonies of Jesus Christ?
Consider providing students with the following self-evaluation. Point out that what they record will not be shared with others.
Display the following picture. Explain that it depicts Mary visiting her cousin Elisabeth. Mary had just learned from the angel Gabriel that she would be the mother of the Son of God (see Luke 1:26–38). At this time, Elisabeth was six months pregnant with John the Baptist (see Luke 1:36).
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What might these women be able to teach us about the Savior?
To learn from these remarkable women, invite some students to read Elisabeth’s words in Luke 1:39–45 and others to read Mary’s words in Luke 1:46–55. Or you could watch “Mary and Elisabeth Rejoice Together” (from time code 1:13 to 5:14).
Consider asking one or more of the following questions:
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What thoughts and feelings did you have about Elisabeth and Mary as you studied their testimonies?
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What can we learn about the Savior from these testimonies? What difference does it make to focus on the Savior when we share testimony? (Help students understand that we strengthen others as we teach and testify of Jesus Christ.)
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How have you been influenced by someone’s testimony of the Savior?
You could read together and discuss the following statement by Elder Neil L. Andersen:
With those around us, let us be more open, more willing to talk of Christ. …
Be more open on social media in talking about your trust in Christ. …
Some of our fellow Christians are, at times, uncertain about our beliefs and motives. Let us genuinely rejoice with them in our shared faith in Jesus Christ and in the New Testament scriptures we all love. …
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)
Give students a minute to ponder this question: Who may need to hear your testimony of the Savior?
Point out that sharing our testimony of Jesus Christ is an expression of faith. It can include what we know, believe, and hope to be true. Invite students to write their testimony of Jesus Christ or create a video of it on their phone. They could then share what they have written or recorded with another member of the class, text or email it to a friend, or post it on social media.
Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38, 46–55
What can I learn from Mary and Joseph about doing hard things?
Invite students to ponder and briefly record a challenge they are currently facing. Encourage them to write ideas during this learning activity that could help them with their challenge.
You could display the following picture and explain that when “Mary was espoused to Joseph” (Matthew 1:18), they entered into an agreement called betrothal. To understand the obligations of betrothal, consider reviewing with students “Matthew 1:18. What did it mean to be espoused?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
Consider putting students into pairs. One student could read about Joseph in Matthew 1:18–25, and the other could read about Mary in Luke 1:26–38. Display the following questions, and invite students to discuss them:
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What challenge did this situation present for Mary? What about for Joseph? (see “Matthew 1:18–25. What options did Joseph have when he learned Mary was pregnant?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament).
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What can we learn about handling difficult situations from the way Mary and Joseph responded to their circumstances? (Students may identify a truth like the following: We can do hard things as we seek to know and submit to the will of God. [Note: The word “thought” in Matthew 1:20 comes from the Greek word enthymeomai, which means to consider or ponder.])
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What blessings came to Mary and Joseph because they chose to submit their wills to God?
After the partners discuss these questions, invite students to share their insights with the class.
Consider sharing one or both of the following statements and related questions to help students take righteous actions in their lives.
As we think of women whose righteous influence ripples through eternity, let us consider Mary, the “precious and chosen vessel” (Alma 7:10). Presented by an angel with an unprecedented, holy pronouncement, she graciously submitted to the will of the Lord: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). Her faith, obedience, and humility set a standard for all women. (Virginia U. Jensen, “Ripples,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 93)
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How might graciously submitting to the will of the Lord help you with a challenge you face?
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Who is a modern-day Mary you know? What can you learn from her example?
Matthew tells us that … [Joseph] was a just and considerate man, that in a dream an angel told him who Jesus would be, that he was obedient, and that he gave Jesus his name, which means savior. (See Matt. 1.) We know that he took Mary to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. (See Luke 2:4–6.) Less than two years later, Joseph took his family into Egypt to escape Herod, after being warned in a dream. In Egypt, a dream again told him when to return, and another dream told him to go to Galilee. (See Matt. 2:13–15, 19–22.) Four dreams from God! Joseph must have been an exceptionally visionary and spiritually sensitive man. (Gerald N. Lund, Jesus Christ, Key to the Plan of Salvation [1991], 51)
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How might seeking and receiving revelation from Heavenly Father help you with a challenge you face?
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Who is a modern-day Joseph you know? And what can you learn from his example?
Invite students to identify something they have learned from the actions or Christlike attributes of Mary or Joseph that could apply to their circumstances. Encourage them to record and act on any impressions they have received.