Young men and young women attend an early morning seminary class in Argentina.
This lesson is intended to help you evaluate the goals you have set and the personal growth you have experienced during your study of the New Testament.
Love God with all your heart
In your study journal, draw an outline of a heart. In or around the heart, list things you have learned or felt about the Savior that have increased your love for Him. If possible, ask a friend or family member what they love about the Savior, and add it to your list. Answer the following questions underneath your heart drawing.
How has learning more about the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you motivated you to try to love Them more?
How has your understanding of Their love for you helped increase your love for other people?
Recall that the Savior taught that we show love to Him by keeping the commandments (see John 14:15). Jesus Christ provided the perfect example of showing love to Heavenly Father by obeying all the commandments (see John 14:31).
When you studied John 14:15, you may have written in your journal about your desires to keep the commandments and your motives, or your reasons, for doing so. If so, review what you wrote.
1. Answer the following questions in your study journal:
How do you feel about your current desires and motives to keep the commandments in order to show your love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Compare your desires and motives now with where you were earlier in the year.
What changes have you noticed in your love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as you have studied the New Testament? If you have noticed any changes, what do you think has led to these changes?
Are there any additional changes you feel like you need to make in order to show or increase your love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
The Atonement of Jesus Christ: What would your life be like without it?
Think of what you have learned about the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ from the New Testament. Ponder for a moment what Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice mean to you personally. Consider what your life would be like without either.
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Illustration of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane as he performs the Atonement.
Now that you have taken time to ponder, record some of your thoughts by responding to the following questions. Include meaningful details in your responses, and include scripture passages that have impacted you about Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.
2. Answer the following questions in your study journal:
How would your life be different if the Savior had not suffered for you in Gethsemane and died for you on the cross at Calvary?
How would your life be different if Jesus Christ had not overcome death through His glorious Resurrection?
What would happen to Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught:
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Official portrait of President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2004.
Thankfully, Jesus Christ courageously fulfilled this sacrifice in ancient Jerusalem. … Jesus suffered willingly so that we might all have the opportunity to be washed clean—through having faith in Him, repenting of our sins, being baptized by proper priesthood authority, receiving the purifying gift of the Holy Ghost by confirmation, and accepting all other essential ordinances. Without the Atonement of the Lord, none of these blessings would be available to us, and we could not become worthy and prepared to return to dwell in the presence of God.
Now that you have reflected on the importance of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice, read the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson.
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Official portrait of President Russell M. Nelson taken January 2018
The word gospel means “good news.” The good news is the Lord Jesus Christ and His message of salvation. Jesus equated the gospel with both His mission and with His ministry in mortality.
3. Complete the following activity in your study journal:
What good news would you like to share with others about Jesus Christ and His divine mission? Imagine the Church is launching a social media campaign to spread awareness about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ recorded in the four Gospels. The Church is requesting social media posts for the campaign.
Write a brief post that explains your good news about Jesus Christ. Think about something you learned from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that is special to you and has helped you feel closer to Jesus Christ. For example, you could choose something that Jesus taught, a miracle He performed, a parable, a story of how He interacted with others, an attribute He exemplified, or a part of His atoning sacrifice, death, and Resurrection. If you feel comfortable, you may want to post your good news on social media or share it with another person. Include the following details in your post:
Make a headline or title for your post.
Explain how the Savior’s good news has been meaningful to you and helped you feel closer to Him.
Include a specific passage of scripture from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John).
Include your testimony and how this good news can benefit others.