Jesus Christ Called and Instructed the Twelve Apostles
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Christ giving Peter a blessing
Jesus Christ called and instructed the Twelve Apostles and sent them forth to preach, minister, and heal the sick. This lesson will help you understand the calling and role of the Apostles as representatives and witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Listening to students’ questions. Seek to understand students by listening carefully and asking follow-up questions in a spirit of love and empathy. Pray for the ability to place yourself in the students’ situations. Be willing to adjust the lesson and activities to best meet students’ needs and their current understanding.
Student preparation: Invite students to reflect on their experiences with the Lord’s Apostles by asking the following questions: How have the Savior’s Apostles brought you closer to Jesus Christ? What impresses you about them? What questions do you have about the role of an Apostle?
Note: An alternate student preparation is included in the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section.
Possible Learning Activities
Your feelings about and understanding of Apostles of Jesus Christ
Reflect on how you would answer the following temple recommend question:
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President Russell M. Nelson
Do you sustain the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators?
(Russell M. Nelson, “Closing Remarks,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 121)
What does it mean to sustain members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles?
We often think of sustaining Church leaders as the physical act of raising our hand. But sustaining is more than just giving an outward sign. Sustaining includes supporting, encouraging, trusting, and following those we sustain because we believe they are called of God.
Why do you think one of the requirements to enter the temple would be related to our support of and feelings toward the Savior’s Apostles?
Use the following scale to further evaluate your personal feelings and attitudes toward the Apostles of Jesus Christ. You will not be asked to share your responses with others.
Consider displaying the following scale. It may be helpful to read aloud each of the following questions for students to ponder, then invite them to record their responses in their study journals.
I believe the Apostles of Jesus Christ are very important.
I want to hear what the Savior’s Apostles have to say, and I pay attention when I have the chance to listen to them.
I could share one or two things Apostles of Jesus Christ have recently taught.
Take a moment to ponder and record any questions you have about Apostles of Jesus Christ. As you study, reflect on these questions, seeking answers from the Holy Ghost.
Ancient Apostles of Jesus Christ
Read Matthew 9:36–38, looking for a problem the Savior identified in these verses.
What was the problem, and what did the Savior say was needed?
Consider having students read the following scriptures in pairs or small groups.
To help minister to the people, Jesus Christ called Apostles. The word apostle comes from a Greek word that means “one sent forth.” At first the Apostles were sent only among the house of Israel. Later, the resurrected Savior commanded that they also preach the gospel among the Gentiles, or those not of the house of Israel. Today they are commanded to preach to all the world (see Acts 10).
What similarities did you notice between the things Jesus did and what He commanded His Apostles to do?
What truths can you learn from these verses about what Jesus Christ calls Apostles to do?
Modern Apostles of Jesus Christ
If possible, display a picture of the current First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
One truth we learn from Matthew 10:1–8 and Doctrine and Covenants 107:23 is that the Lord calls Apostles to be special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world and do His works. This is true both of the Savior’s Apostles anciently and of those He calls as Apostles today.
Read Matthew 10:40, looking for the Savior’s counsel to those who receive His Apostles.
Why would accepting the Savior’s Apostles be like accepting the Savior?
Watch the video “President Nelson: Prophet of God” from time code 0:00 to 5:41. This video illustrates President Russell M. Nelson magnifying the role of “one sent forth” to represent and bring people to the Savior.
Consider showing additional examples of how modern-day Apostles minister like the Savior. Some examples are included in the “Commentary and Background Information” section.
How do you see President Nelson ministering to others in the same way Jesus Christ did?
Because the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles represent the Savior and are special witnesses of Him, studying their teachings is like studying the Savior’s teachings and is a way to learn about the Savior (see Doctrine and Covenants 1:38). Using one of the following resources (available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org), study teachings of the modern Apostles, looking for what you can learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Determine which resources may best help students, and provide ways for students to access them.
Allow students to share their experiences learning from and about Jesus Christ through studying the words of His modern Apostles.
What did you find in your study that helps you feel an increased understanding of and love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
When have you felt and recognized that an Apostle of the Lord was representing Jesus Christ?
How can what you learned today influence how you sustain and listen to the Savior’s modern Apostles?
Consider reminding students of the preparation activity if they completed it. Invite them to draw upon that experience in the following activity.
Questions to ponder
Think about how you can apply what you have studied today, and prayerfully seek direction from Heavenly Father, paying close attention to any promptings from the Holy Ghost. Ponder the following questions, and consider recording in your study journal any impressions you receive and how you might act on them.
How are you and your family doing at receiving and following the counsel of the Savior’s modern Apostles?
In what ways have you drawn closer to Jesus Christ because of the counsel and teachings of the Savior’s Apostles?
How might having a specific plan to better know and follow the Savior’s Apostles bless you?
Were your questions about the Savior’s Apostles answered today? What did you learn? What questions do you still have, and how might you find answers to them?
Thinking of your family, friends, and others you interact with or could influence, who might benefit by learning about and discussing your experiences today? How might you share this with them?
Allow willing students to share any impressions they received, testimony they gained, or actions they feel inspired to take because of their study.
Commentary and Background Information
Matthew 10:14. What does it mean to “shake off the dust of your feet”?
Elder James E. Talmage provided this insight about the Savior’s instructions regarding shaking off the dust of one’s feet:
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James E. Talmage
To ceremonially shake the dust from one’s feet as a testimony against another was understood by the Jews to symbolize a cessation of fellowship and a renunciation of all responsibility for consequences that might follow. It became an ordinance of accusation and testimony by the Lord’s instructions to His apostles as cited in [Matthew 10:14]. In the current dispensation, the Lord has similarly directed His authorized servants to so testify against those who wilfully and maliciously oppose the truth when authoritatively presented.
“Elder Bednar in England” (from time code 4:06 to 4:47)
Supplemental Learning Activities
Alternate student preparation
Invite students to come prepared to present a very brief biography and selected teachings from one of the current members of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Also invite them to come prepared to share how learning more about this Apostle pointed them to Jesus Christ. Consider beginning class by allowing prepared students to share what they learned with the class.
Help students prepare for general conference
Consider using or adapting portions of this lesson to help students prepare for the upcoming general conference. It may be beneficial to emphasize students’ knowledge of latter-day prophets and apostles and their teachings of Jesus Christ (for example, by creating a quiz based on their lives, by students creating a quiz for the class, by studying some of their past addresses and looking for a line or paragraph that testifies of Jesus Christ and His mission, and so on). Students might also find it helpful to discuss ways to prepare to hear and prioritize general conference (such as eliminating distractions, clearing schedules, coming with questions in mind, and so on).