Christ commands Ananias to find Saul and give him sight so that he can preach of Christ
When the Lord in a vision asked Ananias to seek out and bless Saul, Ananias was hesitant at first because he had heard “how much evil [Saul had] done” (Acts 9:13). Jesus Christ helped Ananias see Saul the way He saw him. This lesson is intended to help you see the potential the Lord sees in others despite their weaknesses and past mistakes.
Applying principles and doctrine in class. As students act in faith to apply gospel doctrine and principles, the Holy Ghost will bear witness to them of those truths (see John 7:17). Look for opportunities for students to make applications in class so that the Holy Ghost can carry truths deeper into their hearts.
Student preparation: Invite students to ponder this question: “How might my relationships with family or friends change if I saw them the way the Savior does?”
Possible Learning Activities
Prisoners and leopards
An American prison warden who tried hard to help rehabilitate those in his prison was once told, “You should know that leopards don’t change their spots!” (see Thomas S. Monson, “See Others as They May Become,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 69).
What do you think this person was trying to say with this remark?
Have you ever witnessed or experienced a similar attitude?
The prison warden replied, “You should know I don’t work with leopards. I work with men, and men change every day” (“See Others as They May Become,” 69).
Why is it important to believe that people can change? What can be difficult about believing it?
In today’s lesson we will compare how people viewed Saul with how the Savior saw him. Saul had been aggressively persecuting men and women who were followers of Jesus Christ. Look for what you can learn from the Savior about the way you view yourself and others.
Jesus Christ answered Saul’s prayers
The Savior appeared to Saul when he was on his way to Damascus to arrest members of Christ’s Church. The experience left Saul blind. He did not eat or drink for three days, and he prayed to God for help (see Acts 9:1–9, 11).
Read Acts 9:10–12, looking for how God chose to answer Saul’s prayer.
What did you notice in these verses that seemed important to you?
Why do you think God sent someone to help Saul instead of simply removing Saul’s blindness Himself?
Read Acts 9:13–15 to find out how Ananias and the Lord viewed Saul differently. (It is important to realize that what Ananias had heard about Saul was accurate [see Acts 8:3; 9:1–2].)
In your study journal, draw a simple picture to represent Saul. On one side of your drawing, write one phrase that sums up how Ananias and others in Saul’s day might have viewed him. On the other side, write one phrase that sums up how the Lord viewed him.
Ananias trusted the Lord’s view of Saul. Read Acts 9:17–20 to see what happened next.
You may also want to watch the video “The Road to Damascus,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 1:55 to 5:21.
Consider pausing the video at time code 4:14. Ask students what they think the Lord helped Ananias to see. Students might realize that the Lord opened Saul’s eyes but also helped Ananias see Saul in a new and positive way.
Students could also be invited to read Acts 26:16–18 to see that the Lord desired to send Saul to others to help open their eyes and lead them to their Savior.
Consider inviting students to share their pictures of Saul and compare their phrases to describe him.
What do you think is important about the way Jesus viewed Saul? Why?
What principles can we learn about Jesus Christ from this account?
Students may identify several principles, including that the Lord sees us as we can become; Jesus Christ helps us see others with an eternal perspective; and the Lord is merciful and allows us to change and follow Him. Consider writing the principles students mention on the board and then discussing why those principles are meaningful to them.
Jesus Christ can help us see others through His eyes
Take a minute to think about how you tend to see the people you regularly interact with. Look through the list of people below, and use two words to describe how you view each.
A parent
A sibling
A teacher
A friend
Yourself
Other scriptures and words of the prophets can help us better understand how Heavenly Father and the Savior view each individual. Read 1 Samuel 16:7, Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13, and the following statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Image
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“Come as you are,” a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, “Don’t plan to stay as you are.” We smile and remember that God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be.
Based on what you have learned, go back through the list of people and now use two words to describe each one as Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ might see them.
What can you do to see people more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do?
Why can it be difficult to consistently see others the way the Savior sees them?
Why is it worthwhile to try to see others in this way?
Even when a person has changed by choosing to follow Jesus Christ, it is sometimes hard to believe that they really have changed. Some people found it hard to believe when Saul went from persecuting Christians to becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ himself.
Read Acts 9:20–22, 26–27, looking for people’s reaction to Saul now that he was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What did you notice about people’s reaction?
What can you learn from Barnabas in this example?
Record what you want to do or remember because of your study today. This may include things you will do to better see others as the Lord sees them.
Testify of the power of Jesus Christ to help us and others change. Invite students to see themselves and others in the way the Savior sees us.
Commentary and Background Information
Acts 9:15–17 . How can seeing ourselves and others the way Heavenly Father sees us increase our humility?
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following story to help answer this question:
Image
Elder Dale G. Renlund
Some years ago a wonderful young man named Curtis was called to serve a mission. He was the kind of missionary every mission president prays for. He was focused and worked hard. At one point he was assigned a missionary companion who was immature, socially awkward, and not particularly enthusiastic about getting the work done.
One day, while they were riding their bicycles, Curtis looked back and saw that his companion had inexplicably gotten off his bike and was walking. Silently, Curtis expressed his frustration to God; what a chore it was to be saddled with a companion he had to drag around in order to accomplish anything. Moments later, Curtis had a profound impression, as if God were saying to him, “You know, Curtis, compared to me, the two of you aren’t all that different.”
Acts 9:26–27. How can I help someone who wants to change?
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:
Image
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve. Is that faith? Yes! Is that hope? Yes! Is that charity? Yes! Above all, it is charity, the pure love of Christ. If something is buried in the past, leave it buried. Don’t keep going back with your little sand pail and beach shovel to dig it up, wave it around, and then throw it at someone, saying, “Hey! Do you remember this?” Splat!
Well, guess what? That is probably going to result in some ugly morsel being dug up out of your landfill with the reply, “Yeah, I remember it. Do you remember this?” Splat.
And soon enough everyone comes out of that exchange dirty and muddy and unhappy and hurt, when what our Father in Heaven pleads for is cleanliness and kindness and happiness and healing.
Such dwelling on past lives, including past mistakes, is just not right! It is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Consider inviting students to imagine briefly meeting someone for the first time. Ask them to think of two words this person might use to describe them. Then ask students to think about the words people who know them well, and ultimately Jesus Christ, would use. Invite students to discuss this question: How might the world be different if we saw each other the way the Savior sees us?