Lesson 2

Love Those You Teach

Purpose

To help class members seek to be filled with Christlike love for those they teach.

Note to the Teacher

In the final hours of His mortal ministry, Jesus taught and strengthened His Apostles (see John 13–17). As part of these teachings, He commanded His disciples to love one another as He loved them (see John 13:34; 15:12, 17). Their obedience to this commandment would show that they truly were His disciples (see John 13:35). All they were to do, including their commission to go forth and teach all nations, was to be done with love. In the latter days, the Lord has taught us similarly: “No one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love” (D&C 12:8).

As you teach this lesson, help class members understand how to be filled with Christlike love toward those they teach. As class members follow the counsel in this lesson, they will teach more effectively. They will also find more joy as teachers.

Preparation

1. Prayerfully study the scripture passages in this lesson. Seek to apply them to the purpose of the lesson. Become familiar enough with 3 Nephi 11–17 that you can briefly relate the parts of the account that are outlined on page 195 of this book.

2. Study the section of this book titled “Love Those You Teach”(pages 30–39).

3. If the following materials are available, prepare to use them as part of the lesson:

   1. The pictures Jesus Teaching in the Western Hemisphere (62380; Gospel Art Picture Kit 316); Jesus Healing the Nephites (62541; Gospel Art Picture Kit 317); and Jesus Blesses the Nephite Children (Gospel Art Picture Kit 322).

   2. “My Joy Is Full,” a four-minute segment of Book of Mormon Video Presentations (53911).

4. Assign a class member to prepare to talk briefly about how he or she has been influenced by the love of a gospel teacher (such as a parent, a teacher in a Church classroom, or a Church leader). Ask this class member to address the following questions as part of the presentation:

   How did you know that this person loved you?

   How did this person’s love affect your feelings about learning the gospel?

5. A week or more in advance, arrange to have a soloist or a small group of adults or children sing “Love One Another” (Hymns, no. 308) at the end of class. If this is not possible, prepare to have class members sing the hymn together.

Suggested Lesson Development

Teachers with Christlike love make a difference in the lives of those they teach.

Scripture Account and Pictures

Display the picture of Jesus teaching the Nephites. In your own words, briefly relate the account of the resurrected Savior’s visit to the Nephites. Be sure to include the following:

The resurrected Savior appeared to the Nephites in the land Bountiful. He invited them to come and feel His side and the nail prints in His hands and feet. Then He taught them at length. After teaching them, He urged them to go to their homes and ponder the things that He had said. He was about to return to the Father when He saw them in tears, desiring that He stay longer with them. (See 3 Nephi 11–16; 3 Nephi 17:1–5.)

Display the picture of Jesus healing the Nephites. Then invite a class member to read 3 Nephi 17:6–10.

Chalkboard

After the class member has read the passage, write on the chalkboard He did heal them every one.

Scripture Account and Picture

In your own words, continue relating the account. Be sure to say that after Jesus had healed the people, He asked them to bring their little children to Him (see 3 Nephi 17:11–12).

Display the picture of Jesus blessing the Nephite children. Then invite a class member to read 3 Nephi 17:21–25.

Chalkboard

After the class member has read the passage, write on the chalkboard He took their little children, one by one, and blessed them.

Video Presentation

If you are using the video presentation “My Joy Is Full,” show it now.

Discussion

Ask class members to ponder the love that the Savior showed toward the Nephites. Also invite them to think about what the Nephites might have felt as Jesus ministered to them one by one.

• In what ways might a teacher’s Christlike love influence those who are being taught? (Answers may include that a teacher’s Christlike love can invite the Spirit, help people overcome fear, and lead people to be more receptive to the gospel.)

Quotation

Following a brief discussion of this question, have a class member read the statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith on page 30 of this book.

Class Member Presentation

Ask the assigned class member to talk about how he or she has been influenced by the love of a teacher.

Teacher Presentation

Explain that this lesson includes teachings from the scriptures that can help us be filled with Christlike love for those we teach. It also includes a discussion on how our Christlike love influences our service as teachers.

We can be filled with Christlike love for those we teach.

Scriptures and Notebook Activity

Invite different class members to read the scripture passages listed below. After each passage is read, ask class members to identify principles in the passage that can help them be filled with Christlike love. Encourage class members to write in their notebooks any thoughts they have as they participate in this discussion. Explain that they will be given an opportunity to share these thoughts toward the end of class.

John 15:10 (Keeping the commandments)

Ephesians 4:32 (Forgiving others)

Mosiah 2:17 (Serving)

Mosiah 4:11–12 (Repenting, being humble, and exercising faith)

Alma 38:12 (Bridling passions)

3 Nephi 11:29–30 (Ceasing contention)

Moroni 7:48 (Praying to be filled with the pure love of Christ)

Our Christlike love for those we teach should be reflected in our preparation, our teaching, and our everyday lives.

Notebook Activity and Discussion

Point out that when we are filled with Christlike love for those we teach, our love is reflected in our preparation, our teaching, and our everyday lives. Then write the following on the chalkboard. Ask class members to copy it in their notebooks.

Preparation

Teaching

Everyday Life

Have class members think of specific people whom they teach (such as family members, class members, or quorum members). Then ask them to consider the following question, writing their ideas under the appropriate headings in their notebooks:

• What are some things you can do to show Christlike love for these people? (Note that some ideas are listed in the following chart. Other ideas are included in “Love Softens Hearts,” “Understanding Those You Teach,” and “Reaching Out to the One,” pages 31–36 in this book.)

  Preparation

  • Pray for them.

  • Be aware of their needs and interests.

  • Be well prepared to teach them.

  Teaching

  • Greet them warmly at the beginning of class.

  • Express your love for them.

  • Listen attentively.

  • Respond respectfully as they participate in class.

  • Encourage them to live the principles you teach.

  • Compliment them when appropriate.

  Everyday Life

  • Pray for them.

  • Be friendly when you see them.

  • Be aware of their activities and accomplishments.

  • Attend activities in which they are participating.

  • Compliment them when appropriate.

  • Show concern and give encouragement when they experience trials.

Invite class members to discuss some of the ideas that they have written in their notebooks. Write their ideas on the chalkboard.

Conclusion

Summary and Quotation

Briefly summarize the lesson, using the following statement by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin:

“The compassion of Christlike friends deeply touches and changes our lives. … Love is the very essence of the gospel of Christ. In this Church, prayers for help are often answered by the Lord through the simple, daily service of caring brothers and sisters. In the goodness of genuine friends, I have seen the reflected mercy of the Lord Himself” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 42; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 32).

Testimony

As prompted by the Spirit, bear your testimony and express your love for class members.

Music

Have the assigned soloist or small group sing “Love One Another” (Hymns, no. 308). If this is not possible, invite class members to sing the hymn together.

Assignments

Encourage class members to:

1. Select at least one idea from the notebook activity on page 196. Use this idea in a teaching opportunity during the coming week. Write in their notebooks about the results of this action.

2. Continue last week’s assignment to seek the guidance of the Spirit in connection with an upcoming family home evening lesson, Church assignment, or other opportunity to teach. Remember the Lord’s words: “The Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith” (D&C 42:14). Write in their notebooks about their experiences with this assignment. (As part of lesson 3, some class members will be asked to report on these experiences.)

3. Review the principles taught in this lesson by studying the section of this book titled “Love Those You Teach”(pages 30–39).