“Matthew 2; Luke 2,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)
Behold the Lamb of God, by Walter Rane
Matthew 2; Luke 2
Ancient prophets foretold the birth of Jesus Christ (see Isaiah 9:6–7; 1 Nephi 11:14–18). He came into the world as the Only Begotten Son of God, destined to become our Savior and Redeemer. Mary, Joseph, shepherds, Simeon, Anna, and the Wise Men were witnesses of His birth or were able to meet Him as a young child. While we have very little knowledge about His childhood, we do know “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Matthew 2; Luke 2”
Note: 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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Watch “The Nativity” (2:58) or “The Christ Child: A Nativity Story” (17:56), and imagine what it might have been like to witness the Savior’s birth.
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Consider reading about the Savior’s birth in Luke 2:1–7, and reflect on why He would be willing to be born in such humble conditions.
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Have you ever wondered what Jesus was like as a child? Study Luke 2:40–52 and Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 3:24–26 (Gospel Library), and consider what you can learn from the growth and development of young Jesus. As part of your study, you might also watch “Young Jesus Teaches in the Temple” (2:29).
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Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Matthew 2 and Luke 2.
Skill Training
Matthew 2:1–12 and Luke 2:8–20, 25–38 might be helpful places to use the skill “Identifying Gospel Truths 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.
What can I learn about Jesus Christ from His humble birth?
Display the following picture of Jesus Christ as the Creator. Invite students to share what we know about Jesus Christ from the premortal life and as Jehovah, God of the Old Testament.
Christ the Creator, by Robert T. Barrett
Then display a picture of Jesus as a baby, and invite students to read Luke 2:1–7, looking for the circumstances of His birth.
If it would be helpful, you could watch “The Christ Child” from time code 1:00 to 6:00 or review “Luke 2:1–7. What were the circumstances of the Savior’s birth?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
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Considering Jesus Christ’s power, greatness, and glory, what do you find significant about the circumstances of His birth?
Point out that in a vision of the Savior’s birth, the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi was asked, “Knowest thou the condescension of God?” (1 Nephi 11:16). (Note: The word condescension in this context means voluntarily descending from a higher position to a lower status or condition.) Ask students to read about Nephi’s vision in 1 Nephi 11:13–23, looking for what Nephi came to understand about the condescension of God.
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What might the condescension of Jesus Christ teach us about His character? What might it reveal about His feelings for us? (Help students identify a truth like the following: The condescension of Jesus Christ demonstrates His humility and love for us.)
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In what other ways has Jesus Christ condescended so He could bless our lives? (Students could read 1 Nephi 11:26–33 for additional insights.)
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How can understanding the Savior’s condescension influence the way you see and approach your personal challenges?
To help students feel the significance of the Savior’s condescension, you could review together the words of the hymn “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth” (Hymns, no. 196) or watch “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth” (5:37). Invite students to reflect on the message of the hymn and record any thoughts or impressions they receive.
Matthew 2:1–12; Luke 2:8–20, 25–38
How can I strengthen my testimony of Jesus Christ?
Consider displaying the following statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency:
To all who wish to understand who we are as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I would like to offer a starting point defined by these three words: We seek Christ. We seek to learn of Him. To follow Him. To become more like Him. Every day throughout the year, we seek Him. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Seeking Christ at Christmas,” Ensign, Dec. 2017, 4)
Give students a few minutes to reflect on and to record what they have done this week to seek Christ. Then write on the board the following incomplete statement: I can seek Jesus Christ by …
Explain that students can find different ways to complete this statement by looking for implied or illustrated truths in the following stories. As students read these accounts, they could ask: What can we learn from the example of the person or people in this story? (If students could use additional training on this skill, you could review “Identifying Gospel Truths in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.)
Invite students to record how they would finish the incomplete statement based on what they learn from each of the following accounts:
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Matthew 2:1–2, 7–11 (the Wise Men)
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Luke 2:8–16 (the shepherds)
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Luke 2:25–32 (Simeon), or watch “The Christ Child Is Presented at the Temple” (2:04)
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Luke 2:36–38 (Anna)
After allowing time for study, invite students to share what they learned from those they read about. Then invite students to write on the board the different ways they finished the statement. Completed statements may be similar to the following truths: I can seek Jesus Christ by learning of Him and watching for signs of His coming. I can seek Jesus Christ by worshipping Him. I can seek Jesus Christ by being quick to go to Him. I can seek Jesus Christ by willingly serving in the temple. I can seek Jesus Christ by diligently following the promptings of the Spirit. I can seek Jesus Christ by sincerely fasting and praying.
As students share their completed statements, consider inviting them to also share how these types of actions have brought them, or someone they know, closer to the Savior.
Invite students to choose one statement from the board, or one of their own, and make a simple plan of how they will apply it to seek the Savior.
Note: You could invite students at the start of your next class to share what they did to follow their plan.
How can I worship the Lord in meaningful ways?
You could write on the board the words love, adoration, reverence, service, and devotion. Invite students to think of times when they desired to show or give these things to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Write the word worship above the words on the board, and point out that these words are at the heart of true worship (see Topics and Questions, “Worship,” Gospel Library).
Invite students to study the account of the Wise Men in Matthew 2:1–12 and look for ways these men worshipped the Lord. It may be helpful to show “The Christ Child” from time code 13:44 to 17:16.
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What did the Wise Men say and do to worship the Lord?
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What can we learn about the meaning of worship from the Wise Men? (Students may identify a truth like the following: We worship the Lord by showing love and reverence to Him in our words and actions.)
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How can small and simple expressions of sincere worship draw us closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? (Consider watching “Returning to Prayer” [4:43] to help answer this question.)
4:43
To help students take effective, righteous action, display and read together the following statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency:
Christmas and some of the cherished traditions of the season remind us that we, like the Wise Men of old, should seek the Christ and lay before Him the most precious of gifts: a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We should offer Him our love. We should give Him our willingness to take upon ourselves His name and walk in the path of discipleship. We should promise to remember Him always, to emulate His example, and to go about doing good [see Acts 10:38; Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79]. (“Of Curtains, Contentment, and Christmas” [First Presidency Christmas devotional, Dec. 4, 2011], Gospel Library)
Students could share different ways they have worshipped Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by offering Them their broken heart, love, and will. (Consider writing students’ examples on the board.)
Give students a few minutes for quiet reflection. Encourage them to identify and record something they could do this week to sincerely worship the Lord.
Improving Our Teaching and Learning
Encourage students to live what they are learning. Building faith and becoming more Christlike does not happen in an instant. Life-changing learning requires us to act on what we learn. As you invite those you teach to act in faith on true doctrine, you help them apply the truths they are learning to their lives (see Doctrine and Covenants 43:8–10). Invite students to intentionally apply what they are learning and set their own measures to stay accountable. Consider appropriate ways to remind them and to follow up.
Luke 2:40–52; Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 3:24–26
What can I learn from the Savior about personal growth?
Consider displaying the following picture of Jesus in His youth.
Ask students what they think Jesus was like when He was young. You might also invite them to consider what it may have been like to raise Him as a son or grow up with Him as a sibling.
Invite students to review Luke 2:40–52 and Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 3:24–26 (Gospel Library), and share details from Jesus’s childhood and youth that stand out most to them. Point out that the Joseph Smith Translation of Luke 2:46 states, “And they were hearing him, and asking him questions” (Gospel Library).
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What do these passages reveal about Jesus’s character and attributes as a youth?
If students do not mention it, you might point out that the Savior grew over time (see Luke 2:40; Doctrine and Covenants 93:12–13) and in a balanced way (see Luke 2:52). If desired, you could discuss what areas of growth are implied by the terms “wisdom,” “stature,” and “in favour with God and man” (verse 52).
Consider displaying the following truth or image: We can follow Jesus’s example by developing intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.
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Why might it be important to work on each of these areas as we seek to be like the Savior?
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What might happen if we neglect any of them?
Invite students to select one area they would like to discuss in more detail. Ask them to form small groups with those who have a similar interest. Display the following prompts, and invite groups to select one or more to discuss.
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Identify ways you or others you know have developed in this area.
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Consider how developing in this area can help you become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
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Explore how developing in this area can help you make meaningful contributions at home, at work, at school, at church, or in the community.
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Identify obstacles that may hinder you from developing in this area and how to overcome them.
To help students act on what they have learned, consider sharing the following statement from President Russell M. Nelson:
Counsel with the Lord about how you can grow in a balanced way. … You will need to seek personal revelation. You will need to choose for yourself how to act on it. Sometimes the Spirit may prompt you to do things that are difficult. I think you are up to the challenge. You can do hard things. (in “Leaders Introduce the New Children and Youth Effort,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 124)
Give students a few minutes to be still and listen to the Holy Ghost. Encourage them to record what they feel prompted to do. If some students feel overwhelmed about accepting this challenge to do difficult things, consider watching and discussing “Self-Care Made Simple” (3:40).