“Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)
Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9
Jesus often responded to the faith of others by forgiving sins and performing miracles—healing many, casting out evil spirits, and bringing a child back to life. He also taught His Apostles about true discipleship. These accounts of the Savior forgiving sins and performing miracles show that we can invite His inspiration and power into our lives as we act in faith to follow Him.
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9”
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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Read Matthew 10:1–8, or watch “Jesus Calls Twelve Apostles to Preach and Bless Others” (1:38). What do you think is the significance of the Lord calling apostles and prophets?
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As you study the miracles the Savior performed in Mark 5, think of ways you’ve received help or healing from the Savior. You could also watch “The Wounded Shall Be Healed” (5:45).
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What have you given up to follow Jesus Christ? Read Luke 9:57–62, and think of ways you can put the Savior first in your life.
Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9.
Skill Training
Mark 5:22–43 might be a helpful place to use the skill “Taking Meaningful Notes” 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.
Matthew 9:36–38; 10:1–8, 19–20, 40–42
Why can I trust the Lord’s Apostles?
You could display a current picture of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and then share the following scenario:
The missionaries have just taught Paula about the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Because of past experiences, she is wary of authority figures. She says to the missionaries: “Why should I trust these men and what they teach? They are just imperfect humans. I can trust Jesus Christ but not them.”
Invite one or two students to share how they might respond to Paula’s question and concerns.
Consider displaying the accompanying image of Jesus ordaining His Twelve Apostles. You could explain that the word apostle means “one sent forth” (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Apostle,” Gospel Library). Invite students to read Matthew 9:36–38; 10:1–8, 19–20, 40–42, looking for the Apostles’ responsibilities. Consider watching “What Is an Apostle?” (6:25) and inviting students to share what else they learn about Apostles from the video.
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Why can we trust the Lord’s Apostles? (Students may identify one or more of the following truths: The Lord’s Apostles act and speak with His power. When we receive the Lord’s Apostles, we receive Him. When we follow the Lord’s servants, we are following Him.)
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How could you help someone increase their confidence and trust in those whom the Lord has called to be His Apostles? (You could have students revisit the scenario.)
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When have you felt that modern Apostles spoke or acted with the Savior’s power?
You could give students time to ask questions they may have about modern Apostles. Encourage students to answer their peers’ questions.
If students want to learn more about how modern Apostles represent Jesus Christ, you could watch a portion of “Elder Bednar Speaks on Apostle’s Role” (from time code 1:14 to 3:38).
Instead of watching the video, you could invite students to open the most recent general conference in Gospel Library and to quietly review some of the talks given by members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. After giving students time to review the talks, invite them to share their favorite teachings they discovered and how those teachings strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. You could invite one or two students to share their testimony of the Lord’s living Apostles.
How can I find hope and healing through the Savior?
Consider sharing the following statement by Sister Amy A. Wright. You might first watch the portion of Sister Wright’s message “Christ Heals That Which Is Broken” when she shares the story of the broken antique pot (from time code 0:00 to 1:15).
We all have something in our lives that is broken that needs to be mended, fixed, or healed. … I testify that there is nothing in your life that is broken that is beyond the curative, redeeming, and enabling power of Jesus Christ. (“Christ Heals That Which Is Broken,” Liahona, May 2022, 84)
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What are some examples of different ways we need the Savior’s healing power? (Help students understand that we may need the Savior’s healing power physically, spiritually, or emotionally.)
Invite students to think about and record something in their lives that needs to be mended, fixed, or healed. You could display the following truths and invite students to look for how these truths are manifest in the scripture accounts on the accompanying handouts: We can find hope and healing as we turn to the Savior. We can draw upon the power of Jesus Christ as we reach up to Him in faith.
Note: As students prepare to study the miracles the Savior performed during His ministry, it may be important to discuss the skill “Maintaining Doctrinal Balance” in Scripture Study Skills. For example, you could explain to students that though they exercise faith, they may not receive the miracle they want. You could share the following statement from President Dallin H. Oaks: “The healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ—whether it removes our burdens or strengthens us to endure [them]—is available for every affliction in mortality” (“He Heals the Heavy Laden,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 8).
Divide students into pairs. Give each student in the pair one of the handouts below. Invite them to practice the skill “Taking Meaningful Notes” in Scripture Study Skills as they study their assigned scripture account. You might display the following and encourage students to do them as they study:
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Pause to ponder what you’re learning.
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Pray for understanding and application.
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Record what you learn, think, and feel (in a paper journal or notebook, scriptures, or Gospel Library).
After students have had time to study their assigned scripture account, invite them to share with their partner what they learned. Give them time to share the thoughts, experiences, and testimonies they recorded. You might ask the class:
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What messages of hope did you find in the account you studied?
You could share your testimony of the hope and healing that come through faith in Jesus Christ. Encourage students to act on the impressions they received and recorded.
How can I put Jesus Christ first in my life?
You could write the following on the board: I will go and do whatever the Lord asks of me! Ask students what might be required of those who are willing to do whatever the Lord asks of them.
Invite students to read Luke 9:57–62, looking for what the Savior expects of those who choose to follow Him.
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What do you find challenging about the Savior’s expectations? (Some of the Savior’s statements in these verses could seem callous or extreme to students. Consider using the resources for these verses in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)
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What principle can we learn from the Savior’s teachings to those who desired to follow Him? (Students may identify a truth similar to the following: Followers of Jesus Christ put Him first in their lives.)
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What do you think the Savior meant when He cautioned against putting our “hand to the plough, and looking back”? (verse 62).
Invite students to share examples of how the Savior put Heavenly Father first. If needed, you could point students to Moses 4:1–2; John 6:38–39; or Luke 22:39–44. Students could also share examples of people they know who have put God first in their lives.
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Why can it sometimes be challenging to put God first?
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What blessings have you experienced when you have put God first in your life?
To help students feel the truth and importance of this principle, you could read and discuss the following statement by President Jeffrey R. Holland:
All who speak in this general conference will all be saying, one way or another, what Christ said to this rich young man: “Come unto your Savior. Come completely and wholeheartedly. Take up your cross, however heavy it may be, and follow Him” [see Mark 10:21]. … There can be no halfway measures, no starting and stopping, no turning back. … When difficult things are asked of us, even things contrary to the longings of our heart, remember that the loyalty we pledge to the cause of Christ is to be the supreme devotion of our lives. (“The Greatest Possession,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 8–9)
Consider displaying the following questions. Then invite students to prayerfully ponder these questions and record their thoughts.
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What may be hindering you from “completely and wholeheartedly” following the Savior?
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What is one thing you can do to demonstrate your desire to put Heavenly Father and the Savior first in your life?