“Matthew 11–12; Luke 11,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)
Matthew 11–12; Luke 11
As Jesus taught and healed in Galilee, He testified that John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way before Him. The Savior promised rest to all who come to Him, enter into a covenant relationship with Him, and learn of Him. He also countered false teachings from the Pharisees by explaining that a kingdom divided against itself will fall and that our words reflect what is in our hearts.
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Matthew 11–12; Luke 11”
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 11:7–10, and consider what made John the Baptist such a great prophet. Ponder what role the Lord’s living prophet plays in your life.
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Think of a time when you needed to rest or to feel more peace in your life. As you read Matthew 11:28–30, what do you learn about how you can receive such a blessing? You might search what Church leaders have said about this scripture passage and come ready to share what you learned.
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Read Matthew 12:22–30, and reflect on the Savior’s words, “He that is not with me is against me” (verse 30). What does it mean to you to be with the Savior?
Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Matthew 11–12; Luke 11.
Skill Training
Matthew 11:2–15 and Matthew 11:28–30 might be helpful places to use the skill “Using Teachings of Church Leaders to Understand 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.
Why should I seek out the Lord’s prophets?
You might show a picture of John the Baptist from Scripture Helps: New Testament and explain that while he was imprisoned by Herod, his followers continued to esteem him as a prophet. John sent two of his followers to ask Jesus some questions.
Read together Matthew 11:2–6, looking for how Jesus responded to John the Baptist’s disciples.
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John already had a testimony of who Jesus was (see Matthew 3:13–17; Doctrine and Covenants 93:11, 15). So why might John have sent his disciples to ask if Jesus was the promised Messiah?
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What do John’s actions teach us about the role of prophets? (Help students identify the truth that prophets point us to the Savior.)
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What have you learned about the Savior from His prophets? How have they pointed you to Him?
Explain to students that after John the Baptist’s disciples departed, Jesus gave a beautiful tribute to John. Invite students to read Matthew 11:7–15 to learn what Jesus taught about John.
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Why was John unique among the prophets? (see “Matthew 11:7–15. What made John the Baptist such a great prophet?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament).
If needed, point out that John was the prophesied messenger who prepared the way for people to receive Jesus Christ (see verse 10). You might display a truth like the following: Prophets prepare us to receive Jesus Christ.)
Consider sharing the following statements by Elder Neil L. Andersen and Sister Carol F. McConkie:
I have found that as I prayerfully study the words of the prophet of God and carefully, with patience, spiritually align my will with his inspired teachings, my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ always increases. (“The Prophet of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 26)
[Prophets] do all things in the name of Jesus Christ. In their words we hear the voice of the Lord and we feel the Savior’s love. (“Live according to the Words of the Prophets,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 77)
You could practice the skill “Using Teachings of Church Leaders to Understand the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills by inviting students to find an example from a recent general conference talk of a prophet pointing us to or preparing us to receive Jesus Christ. Then invite students to share the examples they find in small groups.
You could also give students time to share the prophetic teaching they found with others through text messaging, social media, email, or a written note. They might share how the prophetic teaching helps increase their faith in Jesus Christ.
How can the Savior help me find rest?
Consider inviting students to define the concept of resting. They might also refer to the entry “Rest” in the Guide to the Scriptures, found in Gospel Library.
Read together Matthew 11:28–30. Then give students time to reread these verses, looking for the Savior’s invitations that lead to rest.
Help students identify a truth like the following: When we come unto Jesus Christ, take His yoke upon us, and learn of Him, He will give us rest.
To deepen students’ understanding of this truth, you might invite them to practice the skill “Using Teachings of Church Leaders to Understand the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills. Students could use resources like Gospel Library or the Scripture Citation Index found at scriptures.byu.edu to search for teachings from prophets and other Church leaders that relate to Matthew 11:28–30. Or students could use these resources to search for terms and phrases like “come unto me,” “yoke,” “learn of me,” “meekness,” or “rest.”
After students have had sufficient time to search for teachings and phrases, invite them to share with a partner, in small groups, or with the class what they found. Invite them to share how these teachings help deepen their understanding of Matthew 11:28–30. Students might discuss questions like:
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How can we come unto the Savior?
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What does it mean to take His yoke upon us? How is a yoke symbolic of our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ? (If needed, you could invite students to view the image of a yoke and read the description found in “Matthew 11:28–30. What does a yoke represent?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)
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What does it mean to learn of the Savior? How can we do this better? Why do you think the Savior specifically mentions that He is “meek and lowly in heart”? (verse 29).
Improving Our Teaching and Learning
Provide opportunities for learners to share their testimonies. Sincere testimony can transform a learning experience. A testimony doesn’t need to be eloquent or lengthy to be influential. Look for natural moments during a learning experience to invite students to share what they believe, hope, or know through the power of the Holy Ghost. Expressions of testimony can be especially powerful when they are focused on Jesus Christ and His gospel.
You might provide students some time to share their testimonies of the truth found in Matthew 11:28–30. Or students could share how they have experienced the Savior’s rest in their own lives.
Students might also record any impressions they have about how to receive more of the rest Jesus Christ can provide.
Matthew 12:22–30; Luke 11:14–23
How can I increase my commitment to the Savior and His kingdom?
Remind students that when Jesus healed someone possessed of a devil, some of the Pharisees attempted to discredit Him. They accused Him of performing the miracle by the power of the devil (see Matthew 12:22–24).
Read together Matthew 12:25–30 or Luke 11:17–23, looking for how the Savior responded to the Pharisees’ accusation. Or students could watch the Bible video “A House Divided” from time code 0:00 to 2:28.
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What significant messages do you find in the Savior’s teachings?
Display the following truth from Matthew 12:30: “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”
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What do you think it means to be with the Lord? How do we gather with Him?
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If we are not with the Savior, how is it that we are against Him?
Consider sharing the following statement by Elder Gary B. Sabin:
When we are baptized, we are fully immersed as a symbol of our promise to fully follow the Savior, not half-heartedly. When we are fully committed and “all in,” heaven shakes for our good [see Doctrine and Covenants 21:6]. When we are lukewarm or only partially committed, we lose out on some of heaven’s choicest blessings [see Revelation 3:15–16]. (“Stand Up Inside and Be All In,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 52)
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What are some ways we can be “all in,” or fully committed to the Savior?
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What are some examples of people who are fully committed to the Savior and His work?
You might provide time for students to reflect on their personal commitment to the Savior. Invite students to think of one way they can strengthen or reinforce their commitment to Him.
What do my words reveal about the intents of my heart?
Display the following phrases:
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“Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38).
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“Father, … not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).
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“If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:40).
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“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).
Invite students to discuss in pairs what the words in each phrase can tell us about those who said them. Afterward, you might discuss the following question as a class:
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What have you learned about the importance of the words you speak?
Read Matthew 12:34–37, and discuss together what the Savior taught the Pharisees about the words we speak. (You may need to explain that “out of the abundance of the heart” [verse 34] means what fills the heart and that “idle word” [verse 36] in this context means thoughtless, useless words that are malicious or harmful.)
As part of the discussion, students might identify a truth like the following: Our words reflect what is in our hearts.
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What do the Savior’s words, both during His ministry and today, reveal about what is in His heart?
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How can we improve our own language and messages to ourselves and others?
Consider sharing your testimony of the power of words. Invite a few students to share their testimonies as well.