Seminary
John 14–17

John 14–17

Overview

During His final evening with His disciples, Jesus Christ taught and comforted them. He taught them how He was “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) and how they could show their love for Him by keeping His commandments. The Savior invited them to abide in Him and taught them about the mission of the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ prayed for them as He offered His great Intercessory Prayer.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson.

John 14:1–6; 15:1–11

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students reflect on their relationship with Jesus Christ and on how they can follow Him and receive His strength and support.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to find or take a picture of a pathway or of a vine or tree with branches. Ask students to think about ways their picture reminds them of Jesus Christ and to bring their picture to class.

  • Teaching opportunities: Consider inviting students to teach during this lesson. Students could prepare ahead of time to teach a portion of the lesson, or they could prepare and teach during class.

  • Handout: “Jesus Christ Is ‘the Way, the Truth, and the Life’ (John 14:6)”

  • Object: A branch or part of a vine

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider dividing students into small breakout groups to teach their prepared lesson to a classmate.

John 14:15–31; 15:10–14

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students show their love to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by obeying Their commandments.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to watch the video “Going to Grandma’s” (4:02), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and to think about what this account can teach us about why the Lord gives us commandments.

  • Personal examples: Prepare to share an example of when family members or others have shown their love for you.

  • Videos: “Going to Grandma’s” (4:02); “Abide in My Love” (15:08; watch from time code 14:27 to 14:50)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Ask students to invite a parent or other family member to join in the discussion about knowing whether someone loves others.

John 14–16

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students identify how the Holy Ghost fulfills His roles in their lives.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to prepare to answer the question “How does the Holy Ghost help you?” with examples from the scriptures or personal experiences.

  • Materials for students: Small slips of paper or note cards that students can write on

  • Content to display: The chart on the roles of the Holy Ghost

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Create a shared document that contains the chart. Invite students to type their answers into the chart. Students could be assigned certain fields. Display the completed chart for all to see.

  • Online content adaptation suggestion: Consider showing students the video “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?” (15:28; watch from time code 7:45 to 10:51). This video illustrates how a family found comfort through the Holy Ghost.

John 17

Lesson purpose: This lesson will encourage students to come to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ more personally in their lives.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to read 3 Nephi 19:16, 26–33 and to ponder how it would feel to hear the Savior pray to Heavenly Father for them.

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider using the suggestion in the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section of this lesson entitled “Drawing activity—becoming one” to help students understand that we naturally become more united with each other as each of us draws nearer to Jesus Christ.

Doctrinal Mastery: John 17:3

Lesson purpose: This lesson will help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for John 17:3, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in a real-life situation.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to identify someone they know who might know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ well. Invite students to ask that person what has helped them come to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

  • Content to display: Instructions and questions under each of the three headings corresponding to the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider using a breakout room function to allow students to work in small groups to apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to the scenario in the lesson. Then bring the class back together to discuss what each group learned.