As part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ taught His disciples to “seek … first [to build] the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). In this lesson, you will have an opportunity to ponder and share the importance of putting God first in your life.
Student preparation: Invite students to ponder how they might share with others the importance and blessings of putting God first in their lives.
Possible Learning Activities
The Savior teaches His disciples to “seek … first the kingdom of God”
Read the following real-life scenarios:
A young man in California, USA, is a talented surfer, but seminary is scheduled for the same time as practice for his high school surf team.
A young woman in Brazil is invited to hold a place of honor at her friend’s 15th birthday celebration, but she would be required to wear a dress that does not conform to her standards.
A young man in New Zealand is a talented rugby player predicted to receive an offer to play professionally, but he is of age to serve a full-time mission.
These are examples of situations in which youth could choose to put God first in their lives, although it would not be easy.
What questions or concerns might the youth in these situations have about putting God first in their lives?
What questions or concerns might you and your friends have about putting God first in your lives?
As you study this lesson, ask the Lord to help you address your concerns and feel the importance of putting Him first. Study one of the following groups of verses. Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to help you find and understand truths the Savior taught that could help you put God first in your life.
Students could select which set of verses they study, or they could be assigned Option A or Option B. It may be helpful to display the following options on the board.
In these verses, the Savior used the word treasures to mean what we value greatly, and eye to symbolize our vision or focus in life. The Joseph Smith Translation clarifies what the Lord taught in verse 22, “If therefore thine eye be single to the glory of God, thy whole body shall be full of light” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:22 [in Matthew 6:22, footnote b]; see also Doctrine and Covenants 88:67). Also, it may be helpful to note that the word mammon refers to worldliness or riches (see Matthew 6:24, footnote e).
The Joseph Smith Translation of these verses clarifies that the Lord was speaking to His Apostles about their responsibility to “go … into the world … teaching the people” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:25–26 [in the Bible appendix]). The Lord’s instruction was specific to the Twelve Apostles at this time, but the principle He taught applies to us as well. Notice the examples of how God takes care of His creations, including us. As you study, pay special attention to verse 33: the Joseph Smith Translation of this verse begins, “Wherefore, seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:38 [in the Bible Appendix]).
As you read the Savior’s words and invited the guidance of the Holy Ghost, what did you find that was meaningful to you? Why was it meaningful?
Invite several students to share what they found. Consider writing on the board any principles they mention. If students do not naturally share principles, consider asking, “How would you summarize one of the truths the Savior taught?”
The Savior taught true principles in these verses, including that we cannot serve both God and mammon (or worldliness) and that if we seek first to build up the kingdom of God, then He will bless us with what He knows we need.
What do you know about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that would motivate you to put Them first in your life?
Young people who put God first
If possible, watch one of the following videos of young people who put God first. The videos match the situations at the beginning of the lesson. (All videos are available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)
What did you like about the video? What did you learn about putting God first?
When have you put God first in your life?
What blessings did you see as a result of your decision?
Encouraging others to put God first
Take a moment to think about how the Savior’s teachings to put God first in your life apply to you. Continue to seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost as you complete this lesson.
Imagine that your stake or district presidency invited your quorum or class to make a video to help the youth in your area feel motivated to put God first in their lives. The presidency plans to show the video at a youth event.
Students could plan the video individually or in small groups. If planning a video would not be relevant to your students, they could plan a talk or lesson on putting God first in their lives.
Create a detailed outline for your video. (You do not need to record a video; you only need to make a plan.) Include the following in your outline:
At least one truth the Savior taught in Matthew 6 and an explanation of how it can help youth put God first in their lives.
A modern-day example of someone putting God first in their life. This example could be a personal experience or the experience of someone you know. Write a simple summary of the example.
Also include one or more of the following in your outline:
A statement by a Church leader
Pictures or visuals you might include and when you would include them
Your personal testimony
After sufficient time, invite students to share with the class what they would include in their video. As they share, consider asking follow-up questions such as the following: “Why did you decide to focus on that phrase or truth?” “Why did you decide to use that story or experience?” “Why do you think that could help youth today?”
Consider referring back to concerns or questions the students expressed at the beginning of the lesson. Ask students, “How could what you have learned help address these concerns?”
You may want to share your plan for a video with family and friends. A good time to do this might be when discussing this topic with your family in your Come, Follow Me study.
If you have the ability, consider making your video and sharing it with others.
Commentary and Background Information
What blessings do we receive when we put God first in our lives?
President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught:
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President Ezra Taft Benson
We must put God in the forefront of everything else in our lives. …
When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.
Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? …
Consider how such willingness could bless you. …
If you have sincere questions about the gospel or the Church, as you choose to let God prevail, you will be led to find and understand the absolute, eternal truths that will guide your life and help you stay firmly on the covenant path.
When you are faced with temptation—even if the temptation comes when you are exhausted or feeling alone or misunderstood—imagine the courage you can muster as you choose to let God prevail in your life and as you plead with Him to strengthen you. …
… As you choose to let God prevail in your lives, you will experience for yourselves that our God is “a God of miracles” [Mormon 9:11].
(Russell M. Nelson, “Let God Prevail,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 94, 95)
What did the Savior mean when He said, “Take no thought for your life” and “Take therefore no thought for the morrow”? (Matthew 6:25, 34)
“The Greek phrase that translated to ‘take no thought’ in Matthew 6:25, 34 of the King James Version means to not be overly anxious or worried” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 29).
What did the Savior mean when He said, “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”? (Matthew 6:34)
This phrase means “Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow—you have enough to deal with today” (New Testament Student Manual, 29).
A cubit was “the ordinary unit of length among the Hebrews; originally the distance from the elbow to the tip of the fingers … [about] 21½ inches in the time of our Lord” (Bible Dictionary, “Cubit”).
Supplemental Learning Activity
Beware of false prophets
Consider asking students to share examples of ideas that are commonly accepted by the world but are contrary to Heavenly Father’s plan. Explain that false prophets are individuals or groups who promote ideas contrary to Heavenly Father’s plan and who attempt to destroy faith in and testimonies of Jesus Christ. Read Matthew 7:15–20 and discuss the Savior’s teachings on discerning false prophets and why these teachings are important in our day. The following statement by President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency may be helpful:
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President Dallin H. Oaks
“Satan is anxious to confuse our thinking or to lead us astray on important matters. … The Savior … gave us this test to help us choose the truth from among different teachings that might confuse us: “Ye shall know them by their fruits,” He taught (3 Nephi 14:16). … Therefore, we should look to the results—“the fruits”—of principles that are taught and the persons who teach them. That is the best answer to many of the objections we hear against the Church and its doctrines and policies and leadership. Follow the test the Savior taught. Look to the fruits—the results.