Lesson 9 Teacher Material

Faith in Jesus Christ

The doctrine of Christ enables us to change, become like our Savior, and receive all of the blessings He has made available through His Atonement. In this lesson students will discuss the first element of the Lord’s doctrine: faith in Jesus Christ. They will have the opportunity to identify the blessings of faith and explain how to develop faith in Jesus Christ. Students will also determine what they can do to strengthen their faith in the Lord.

Suggestions for Teaching

Alma teaches the Zoramites how to increase their faith in Jesus Christ.

You might begin the lesson by displaying the introductory paragraph in the preparation material and asking a student to read it aloud. You could testify that faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end can open the door for Jesus Christ to truly change us into holier and happier people. During this class discussion, invite students to consider how they might increase their faith in Jesus Christ and His power to change, heal, and help them.

Invite a willing student to share how he or she would explain what faith is and why faith in Jesus Christ is so important.

Display and read together the following scenario:

Your college friend, Victoria, was raised in a Christian home. She never questioned Jesus Christ’s divinity until one of her professors cast doubt on the reality of His miracles, Atonement, and Resurrection. Victoria was shaken by what she heard. Because she knows you are religious and believe in Jesus Christ, she asks how you know that Jesus really is the Son of God and Savior of the world. She also asks how she can gain greater faith in Him.

• How would you respond to Victoria’s questions?

As students respond, consider using the following scripture passages and questions to help deepen the discussion, based on your students’ needs.

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Observe, listen, and discern. No two students or classes are exactly the same. As you observe and listen to your students, seek to discern their true spiritual interests and needs. Ask questions that are timely and relevant and that lead to righteous action. The questions throughout this lesson can prompt, guide, and inspire you as you lead class discussions. Some of your most profound questions may be those that come to your mind as you are teaching. But also remember that you are not expected to ask all of the questions. Students can also ask profound questions that demonstrate deep insight into gospel truths.

If needed, remind students that Alma taught a group of impoverished Zoramites how acting with faith in the word of God can help strengthen our faith. You might invite students to review Alma 32:21, 27–30, 41–43, looking for principles that could help Victoria. As students share principles taught by Alma, consider asking some of the following questions:

• How would you explain the meaning of Alma’s definition of faith in a way that even a child could understand? (See Alma 32:21.)

• According to Alma 32:27–30, how can exercising faith lead to an increase of faith? (Students may identify a principle similar to the following: As we exercise faith and experiment on the word of God, we will receive a spiritual confirmation and our faith will be strengthened. Consider writing this principle, or a similar principle using students’ words, on the board.) When have you applied this principle and felt your faith being strengthened? What counsel might you give to someone who is discouraged because he or she has acted in faith but feels that he or she has not yet experienced the fruits of faith? (It might be helpful to review President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s statement in section 1 of the preparation material.)

• According to Alma 32:28, how can we know if the word is good in the experiment of our faith? (Students may identify phrases such as “swelling motions,” “enlarge my soul,” “enlighten my understanding,” and “delicious to me.”) If you have experienced any of these effects, how would you explain your experience to someone else?

• What did Elder Jeffrey R. Holland teach about Jesus Christ and His relation to the seed, the fruit, and the tree? (See section 2 of the preparation material.) How has acting in faith and planting Jesus Christ and His gospel in your heart influenced your testimony and conversion? What could you do to nourish the tree with greater care so it will take deeper root in your heart?

• What have you come to know about the Savior that increases your confidence and trust in Him?

Mormon teaches about the power and blessings of exercising faith in Jesus Christ.

Invite students to review Moroni 7:25–26, 33, and testify that as we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, we will have the power to do what is expedient in Christ. (You may want to explain that in this context the word expedient describes something that will bless us that aligns with God’s will.) Remind students that they were invited in the preparation material to identify people in the Book of Mormon who received blessings or experienced miracles as they exercised faith in Jesus Christ (see section 3). Invite students as a class or in small discussion groups to share their examples. The following questions may help deepen their discussion:

• How did these people exercise their faith in Jesus Christ?

• What are some of the blessings or miracles they received by exercising faith in Jesus Christ?

• What blessings or miracles have you received by exercising faith in Jesus Christ? (You may want to review the statement by Elder Richard G. Scott in section 3 of the preparation material.)

Give students time to ponder their own faith in Jesus Christ and consider what they should do to strengthen and exercise faith in Him.

For Next Time

Explain that our faith in Jesus Christ naturally leads to repentance, the second essential principle of the doctrine of Christ (see Helaman 14:13). Invite students to study the preparation material and ponder why repentance should be viewed as a divine gift to be embraced and not a dreadful burden to be avoided.