Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead. The purpose of this lesson is to help you exercise faith and believe in Christ in times of fear and uncertainty.
Encouraging students to seek personal spiritual experiences. As you teach, encourage students to deepen their conversion by seeking their own spiritual experiences. During these experiences, the Lord can teach them through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Student preparation: Encourage students to memorize the phrase “Be not afraid, only believe” ( Mark 5:36). Ask them to ponder how this phrase could help them during times of trial.
Possible Learning Activities
Exercising faith in Jesus Christ
In today’s lesson, you will study more about exercising faith in Jesus Christ even during times of uncertainty and fear. Think about any situations that may be creating uncertainty or fear in your own life. List one or two of these in your study journal.
How was your faith during these situations? Write down your thoughts in one to two sentences.
As you study this lesson, listen for promptings from the Spirit that can inspire you to exercise greater faith in Jesus Christ during times of uncertainty or fear.
Image
Jairus coming to Jesus to heal his daughter
In Mark 5, a Jewish synagogue ruler named Jairus faced a time of great uncertainty and fear.
Read Mark 5:22–24, looking for what Jairus was experiencing. You may also watch “Jesus Raises the Daughter of Jairus,” located on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 0:00 to 1:02.
Why do you think Jairus sought out the Savior?
While they were on their way to Jairus’s home, a woman with an issue of blood touched the Savior’s clothes and was healed. Jesus stopped to talk with and comfort this woman (see Mark 5:25–34).
What thoughts and feelings do you imagine Jairus had as he watched the Savior talk with this woman?
Read Mark 5:35–36, looking for what happened next.
What choice did Jairus have when he was told that his daughter was dead?
How do you think the Savior’s words in verse 36 helped Jairus face his fear?
What do you know about Jesus Christ that can help you believe in Him, even in times of fear?
Finish the rest of the account by reading Mark 5:37–43, looking for the miracle Jairus witnessed because he chose to believe. Or you may want to continue watching “Jesus Raises the Daughter of Jairus” from time code 1:03 to 3:15.
In what ways can this account strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ?
The Lord counsels us not to fear
Throughout the scriptures the Lord has counseled us to “be not afraid, only believe” ( Mark 5:36). Search the scriptures or general conference talks for scriptures or quotes that counsel us not to fear. You may want to link or cross-reference these verses and conference talks with Mark 5:36.
Students could list the scriptures they find on the board. Consider sharing a personal experience of following the Lord’s invitation to “be not afraid, only believe.”
Why do you think the Lord so often counsels us not to fear?
How have you been blessed by following the Lord’s invitation to “be not afraid, only believe”?
Students may benefit from answering the following questions in their study journals. Consider inviting willing students to share their responses. This may also be a good opportunity for students to report on the student preparation.
What are some situations in your life in which the Lord might say to you, “Be not afraid, only believe”?
What are some actions that you could take to follow the Savior’s invitation to “be not afraid, only believe”? How will those actions help you face your fears?
If possible, bring art supplies students can use to create a picture in the following activity. Students could also create a digital picture.
Create a picture with the phrase “Be not afraid, only believe.” You may also want to include other phrases from the scriptures or quotes you found. Put this picture in a place where it will help you remember to believe in Jesus Christ and not fear.
Commentary and Background Information
What is faith in Jesus Christ?
The following quotation from Gospel Topics teaches about faith in Jesus Christ:
Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him—trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. It includes believing His teachings. It means believing that even though we do not understand all things, He does. Because He has experienced all our pains, afflictions, and infirmities, He knows how to help us rise above our daily difficulties.
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Image
Elder Neil L. Andersen
Jesus told the leader of the synagogue, “Be not afraid, only believe” [Mark 5:36]. Discipleship is believing Him in seasons of peace and believing Him in seasons of difficulty, when our pain and fear are calmed only by the conviction that He loves us and keeps His promises.
Challenges, difficulties, questions, doubts—these are part of our mortality. But we are not alone. As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us. Fear and faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In our days of difficulty, we choose the road of faith. Jesus said, “Be not afraid, only believe” [Mark 5:36].
(Neil L. Andersen, “You Know Enough,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 14)
What are some ways the Lord can heal us?
President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:
Image
President Dallin H. Oaks
Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a “healing” cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are “healed” by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.
Consider reviewing with students the study idea for Matthew 9:18–26; Mark 5:22–43 in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023. Invite willing students to share their experiences from their personal study.
It may also be helpful to discuss some of the statements in the “Commentary and Background Information” section about overcoming fear through faith in the Lord.
Faith and fear
Help students understand that faith and fear cannot exist at the same time. Consider reading Mark 4:40 and Mark 5:36 as a class to illustrate this point. Discuss reasons why faith and fear cannot coexist and ways that we can exercise faith in the Savior to overcome our fears. The following questions could be part of this discussion: What happens to our faith when we give in to fear? How can fear be overcome by faith?
It may also be helpful to discuss the statements in the “Commentary and Background Information” section about overcoming fear through faith in the Lord.
An example of maintaining faith in Jesus Christ
To help students understand that we can maintain faith in Jesus Christ even when healing does not happen in the way we may have hoped, consider watching Elder Shayne M. Bowen of the Seventy share about a challenging time when the Lord healed his heart. Watch “Because I Live, Ye Shall Live Also,” located on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 4:04 to 10:57.