Jesus Christ sits pondering under a tree

Week 6 Teacher Material

Faith in Jesus Christ and Forgiveness through Him

We could all benefit from having a greater ability to stop sinning and truly repent. Many also have a deep desire to feel forgiven of our sins. In both cases, faith in Jesus Christ is an important first step. In this lesson students will have the opportunity to explain why faith in the Savior is a necessary condition of repentance and forgiveness and to discuss and plan how to nurture their own faith in Christ. They will consider how they can better give their whole souls to God as they seek His forgiveness.

Ideas for Teaching

Chapter 9

Faith in Jesus Christ invites the power and strength we need to repent and feel forgiven.

• You may want to begin class by inviting a student to summarize the story Elder Andersen shares in the first three paragraphs of chapter 9. (Consider inviting someone before class to be ready to summarize the account.) Or you could show the video “Faith in Jesus Christ” (2:54), in which Elder Andersen recounts the story.

  After the video you might ask:

  • Why do you think coming to know the Savior is more powerful in our repentance than just focusing on methods of change?

  • What truth would you say Elder Andersen is teaching with this story? (Help students identify a truth similar to the one in the section heading above.)

• Remind students that later in this chapter Elder Andersen talks about the teachings and experiences of Amulek and Enos. Consider inviting half of the class to read Alma 34:8, 15–18 and the other half to read Enos 1:5–8. Invite both groups to look for what these verses teach about faith leading to repentance and forgiveness. You might then discuss one or more of the following questions:

  • Why do you think Amulek taught the people about the Savior’s Atonement before talking to them about repentance?

  • What did the Lord teach Enos about how his guilt could be swept away?

  • What do you know about Jesus Christ that helps you believe He has the power to help you change and feel forgiven?

Our faith in Jesus Christ will grow as we make room for Him and His teachings in our lives. We can nourish our faith in our Savior through diligence and patience.

• You might write the following question on the board: How can I increase my faith in Christ? You could then invite students to share how they would answer this question. (Encourage students to draw on what they learned during their study of chapter 9.) Consider using students’ comments to transition into one or more of the following activities or questions that could help deepen their desire to increase their own faith in Christ:

  • Invite students to read Alma 32:27–29, 41–42 and look for truths that teach how we can nurture our faith. Students may identify truths similar to the ones identified in the section heading above.

  • What can we do to make additional room in our hearts for the Savior and His teachings?

  • How would you explain to someone else the process of nourishing their faith in Jesus Christ?

  • Give students time to read individually or in small groups the last three paragraphs of chapter 9 (beginning with “Experiencing the miracles of God …”), and invite students to look for practical ways to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. You might also lead students to discuss what Elder Andersen promises to those who build a foundation of faith on the Savior.

• You could invite students to ponder what they feel they should do in their lives to increase their faith in Christ. Give them time to record a plan for how they will move forward. You may want to provide an opportunity for students to share their plans so they can learn from each other.

Chapter 10

Forgiveness can come only from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

• You might invite students to share what impressed them most from chapter 10 about the need for a relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son. You could then review the first two paragraphs of chapter 10 and help students identify a truth similar to the one stated in the section heading above. You might then discuss one or more of the following questions:

  • Why do you think that “heartfelt communications” (first paragraph of chapter 10) with our Heavenly Father are at the center of our repentance and forgiveness?

  • Why is it more effective to first acknowledge our sins to Heavenly Father and our Savior rather than turning initially to family, friends, recovery programs, or counseling in order to repent? What might be wrong with relying only on a repentance “checklist”? (see paragraph 4).

  • How should we approach our Heavenly Father when we are sincerely repenting? (You might invite students to look in the first four paragraphs of the section “Crying unto the Lord” for ideas.) Why?

• Consider inviting students to think of examples from the scriptures of people who pled with God for forgiveness. As students share, you might ask what we can learn from their example. If needed, here are a few scripture references you could use as examples: Enos 1:1–4; Mosiah 4:1–2; Alma 36:17–18. (You might invite students to do this activity in small groups.)

The Lord will forgive and redeem those who offer their whole soul to Him, holding nothing back.

• You might review Omni 1:26 and ask students to discuss what they think it means to offer our whole souls to God. As part of your discussion, consider reading the first two paragraphs under the heading “Offering Our Whole Soul unto God” and identifying a truth similar to the one found in the section heading above. You might then discuss the following question:

  • What are some things that might prevent someone from offering their whole soul to God as they seek repentance?

• Consider discussing how praying vocally can add power to our prayers. (See paragraphs 3–8, which begin “As we humbly come …,” under the heading “Offering Our Whole Soul unto God.”)

• Invite students to ponder their relationships with their Heavenly Father and Savior and prayerfully consider what they will do to offer their whole souls to God as they repent and seek forgiveness.

For Next Time

Consider inviting students to think about the following questions as they study chapters 11 and 12 of The Divine Gift of Forgiveness: How does the devil try to deceive us in order to prevent our repentance? How can we recognize his deceptions and resist them? How can fear and pride keep us from repenting?