The Apostle John wrote his Gospel to help us believe that Jesus is the Christ (see John 20:30–31). John taught that Jesus Christ left His heavenly home to live on earth and become our Redeemer. This lesson’s purpose is to help you understand who Jesus Christ was before His mortal birth and more deeply appreciate the love He showed by fulfilling His mission on earth.
Student preparation: Invite students to ponder what they know about who Jesus Christ was before He came to earth. Encourage them to find at least one scripture passage that describes Him before His mortal birth.
Possible Learning Activities
What is it worth?
Show the following picture or bring to class a ball used in a popular sport, and ask the following questions. Another item could be used if learning more about the item would help students realize that it is worth more than they originally thought.
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soccer ball
How much do you think this ball is worth?
What if it had been used in a world championship game or had been signed by a famous player?
Knowing the history of an object can increase our understanding of its value. This can be true of people as well.
Before asking the next question, consider displaying an image of Jesus Christ, such as the image at the beginning of this lesson.
How might understanding who Jesus Christ was before His birth help you understand the value of His life and mission on earth?
The Gospel of John can help us understand who Jesus of Nazareth really was and why we should seek to learn from His words and example. John wrote to strengthen your belief that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah (see John 20:30–31). The Gospel of John begins by describing the glory and power of Jesus Christ even before He came to earth.
If students would benefit from a more detailed introduction to the Gospel of John, consider using the first item in the “Commentary and Background Information” section of this lesson.
Jesus Christ in the premortal life
Consider duplicating the following activity on the board and inviting students to write their observations in the appropriate columns throughout the lesson.
Copy the following chart into your study journal:
Jesus in the premortal life
Jesus’s life on earth
Using your current knowledge of Jesus Christ, write in the left column words and phrases that describe who Jesus Christ was, what He was like, and what He did before His birth.
Read the following scripture passages and the statement by Elder Robert E. Wells of the Seventy, and record additional descriptions of Jesus Christ in the same column. (The phrase “in the beginning” as used in these passages refers to the premortal existence.)
Consider writing the following scripture references on the left side of the board. If necessary, help students locate the Joseph Smith Translation in the Bible appendix or in “Study Helps” on the Gospel Library app.
Jesus was also chosen and sent by the Father to organize and create this earth, our solar system, our galaxy, even worlds without number.
Jesus Christ was and is Jehovah of the Old Testament, the God of Adam and of Noah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jehovah appeared to and talked to the ancient prophets. When He spoke He did so on behalf of the Father, and He said what His Father would have said. Jehovah of the Old Testament became Jesus Christ of the New Testament when He was born into mortality.
Review the list you made on the left side of your journal page, and write a one-sentence summary of who Jesus Christ was in the premortal life.
Invite volunteers to share their summaries.
Jesus’s life on earth
Look at the following image. In the right column of your chart, write some descriptions of the humble circumstances surrounding the Savior’s birth.
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Baby Jesus in a manger
Rather than displaying the image, consider showing the video “The Nativity” (5:52) from time code 2:30 to 5:31. This video is available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
One meaning of the word condescend is “to go down among.” Therefore, the Savior’s descent to live on earth among us is sometimes described as “the condescension of God” (1 Nephi 11:26). Jesus Christ voluntarily left His heavenly throne and came into a fallen world where He would experience great trials and suffering.
Read the following scripture passages, looking for difficulties the Savior endured on earth and why. Add these descriptions to the right side of your study journal page.
How does understanding Jesus Christ’s condescension affect your feelings toward Him?
Bear testimony of the love of Jesus Christ, and express gratitude for His willingness to condescend to save us.
Commentary and Background Information
What is unique about the Gospel of John?
About 92 percent of the material in the Gospel of John is not found in the other Gospel accounts. This is probably because John was writing for Church members who already had an understanding of Jesus Christ—a decidedly different audience from that of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John’s Gospel is richly doctrinal; some of its major themes are the divinity of Jesus as the Son of God, the Atonement of Christ, eternal life, the Holy Ghost, the need to be born again, the importance of loving others, and the importance of believing in the Savior. One of John’s major contributions is his inclusion of the Savior’s teachings to His disciples in the hours before His arrest, including the great Intercessory Prayer.
1 Nephi 11:26. Are both Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ referred to as God in the scriptures?
There are three separate persons in the Godhead: God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost.
The God known as Jehovah is the Son, Jesus Christ (Isa. 12:2; 43:11; 49:26; 1 Cor. 10:1–4; 1 Tim. 1:1; Rev. 1:8; 2 Ne. 22:2). Jesus works under the direction of the Father and is in complete harmony with Him. All mankind are His brothers and sisters, for He is the eldest of the spirit children of Elohim. Some scripture references refer to Him by the word God. For example, the scripture says that “God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1), but it was actually Jesus who was the Creator under the direction of God the Father (John 1:1–3, 10, 14; Heb. 1:1–2).
(Guide to the Scriptures, “God, Godhead,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
In what specific ways did Jesus Christ choose to condescend?
Bishop Richard C. Edgley, former counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, taught:
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Elder Richard C. Edgley
He descended to be born of mortal woman. …
He descended to be baptized of man, even though He was perfect and sinless.
He descended to minister to the humblest of the humble. …
He descended to subject Himself to the will of the Father, suffering Himself to be tempted, mocked, scourged, cast out, and disowned, even though He was all-powerful.
He descended to be judged of the world, even though He was the Judge of the world.
He descended to be lifted on the cross and slain for the sins of the world, even though no man could take away His life.
Why was Jesus Christ willing to descend to the depths He did?
Bishop Richard C. Edgley, former counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, explained:
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Elder Richard C. Edgley
He descended not because of obligation, nor for glory, but only for love. His condescension to redeem us through the Atonement was the price He paid to provide salvation and exaltation.
After students fill out the chart comparing Jesus’s premortal life and His life on earth, consider displaying pictures to help visual learners understand the condescension of Jesus Christ. For example, the image at the beginning of this lesson of Jesus Christ as the Creator could be displayed on the left side of the board. Pictures such as the following could be displayed on the right side of the board. Invite students to compare and contrast what they see in the pictures and why they believe Jesus would voluntarily descend from what they see on the left to what they see on the right.
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Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus
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Jesus standing bound before Caiaphas
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Jesus hangs on the cross between two thieves
The postmortal glory of Jesus Christ
Help students understand the power and glory that Jesus Christ returned to after His life on earth and with which He will descend at His Second Coming. Consider displaying a picture such as the following and inviting students to read scripture passages such as Matthew 25:31 and Doctrine and Covenants 29:11. Students could also read or sing “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth” (Hymns, no. 196).