Jesus Christ counsels a woman who has sinned

Week 7 Teacher Material

Overcoming Barriers to Repentance by Relying on Jesus Christ

During this lesson, students will identify and discuss tactics the devil uses to deceive us in order to hinder our repentance. Students will be encouraged to plan what they will do to resist and overcome these deceptions by building their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Students will also have an opportunity to explain how fear and pride work to impede repentance and to identify ways they can overcome these barriers by relying on Jesus Christ and following His example.

Ideas for Teaching

Note: Be careful not to spend too much time on the first section on the teachings from chapter 11 that focuses on Satan’s deceptions. Students will benefit even more from discussions on how to move past these deceptions and rely more on the Savior.

Chapter 11

As we seek to repent and more closely follow the Savior, the forces of the adversary will attempt to thwart our resolve.

• You might begin class by asking a student to read the statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith found in the third paragraph of chapter 11 (a similar idea is also found in the first paragraph of the chapter). You might then invite students to share examples from scripture, their own lives, or the lives of others they know that illustrate this truth. You could then discuss one or more of the following questions:

  • Why is this an important truth to remember as we seek to repent?

  • What are some of the most effective deceptions Satan uses to keep us from repenting? (If necessary, have students review what they read in the sections titled “Deceptions” and “Appeal to Delay Repentance.”)

  • What are some of the dangers and pitfalls of procrastinating our repentance? (See, for example, Alma 34:33–35 and Helaman 13:38.)

  • What has helped you to recognize and resist Satan’s deceptions?

• Consider watching the video “The Enemy’s Distraction” (2:21) and inviting students to share how we can liken Elder Andersen’s description of the Devil’s Throat at Iguazu Falls to the temptations of the devil. You could review with the class Elder Andersen’s interpretation of why he feels this portion of Iguazu Falls is named the Devil’s Throat (see paragraphs 2–3 of the last section, “Devil’s Throat”). You might also invite students to compare Elder Andersen’s analogy to Nephi’s description of the devil’s tactics in 2 Nephi 28:19–22. You could then discuss this question:

  • What are your thoughts or your feelings as you hear Elder Andersen, as one of the Lord’s Apostles, bless you at the end of this video? (In this part of the video he says, “As you put the Savior first in your life … you’ll know when the adversary is trying to distract you, and you will move ahead. I bless you that you will be able to do this.”)

Building our foundation on Jesus Christ will help us to withstand Satan’s power.

• If possible, display an image of a roaring lion, such as the accompanying image. Ask students to recall what Elder Andersen taught by comparing Lucifer to a roaring lion in a zoo. (If needed, review with students the first two paragraphs of the section “The Adversary’s Influence Is Nothing Compared to the Power of God.”) Help students understand that the adversary has no power over us unless we permit it.

a roaring lion

• To help students consider our best defense against the cunning deceptions and temptations of the devil, read Helaman 5:12 or the last two paragraphs of chapter 11. Consider identifying a truth similar to the one shared in the section heading above and then discussing one or more of the following questions:

  • What do you think it means to build our foundation on Jesus Christ? What have you done to build your foundation on Christ?

  • What attributes does Jesus Christ possess that cause you to want to build your foundation on Him?

  • Why is building our foundation on Jesus Christ our best defense against the deceptions of the devil?

• Consider reading together Elder Andersen’s testimony in the last sentence of chapter 11. You might then provide students with some time to ponder and write a plan for how they will build, or continue building, their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. You might also invite students to consider what help they may need from Heavenly Father and the Savior to resist the temptations and deceptions of the devil.

Chapter 12

The twin bullies of fear and pride work to impede our repentance.

• Consider reviewing with students the bulleted list of thoughts at the beginning of chapter 12. You might invite students to silently identify any of these thoughts that may have been, or currently are, barriers to their own repentance.

• Read together the third paragraph of the chapter (the paragraph that comes after the list), which begins “Many words can describe …” Then help students identify a truth similar to the one in the section heading above. You might then ask:

  • Why do you think Elder Andersen refers to fear and pride as “twin bullies”?

  • What would you teach a friend about fear and pride if he or she were worried about repenting? (You could give students a few minutes to review the sections in chapter 12 titled “Fear” and “Pride” to help them answer this question.)

• You might invite students to choose two or three statements from the list of excuses at the beginning of the chapter and have them identify how each could reflect fear or pride.

The perfect love of Christ can cast out our fears.

• Consider inviting students to study 1 John 4:18 and Moroni 8:16, looking for the remedy to fear. You could help students identify a truth like the one in the section heading above. You might then discuss one or more of the following questions:

  • What do you think “perfect love” means? How do we feel it? (As part of your discussion, consider reading the statements by Elders Dieter F. Uchtdorf and David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in paragraphs 2–4 of the section “Love Casteth Out Fear.”)

  • Why is it important to understand that although our fears may not be totally eliminated, they can be quieted and controlled with the Lord’s help?

  • When have you experienced the Lord helping you to quiet or to overcome your fears? What can you do to experience His help more often?

As we humble ourselves as a little child, we care less about our own ego and more about submitting our will to Heavenly Father’s will.

Jesus Christ talking with children

• Ask students what they think the remedy to pride is. As part of the discussion, you could review the fourth paragraph of the section “Becoming as a Little Child” and help students identify a principle similar to the one in the section heading above. Consider displaying an image of a child or of Jesus with children and discussing one or both of the following questions as a class:

  • What do you think the Savior meant when He invited us to become like little children? (As you answer this question, you might read and discuss Mosiah 3:17–19.)

  • What are some ways the Savior exemplified what it means to be humble and submissive like a little child?

• Consider reviewing the story of Philippe Moreau (see the section “Becoming as a Little Child,” paragraphs 7–16 [which begin “I was called as …”]) and inviting students to discuss how fear and pride held Philippe back and how love and humility gave him strength to move forward. Testify that it is never too late to humble ourselves and reach out to the Savior.

• Provide students time to ponder how fear or pride may be preventing them from repenting and growing spiritually. Invite students to prayerfully consider what they will do to further invite the Savior’s love into their lives and more fully follow His example of humility.

For Next Time

You might invite students to identify as they study chapter 13 some common misconceptions about repentance. They may have seen these misconceptions delay repentance in their own lives or in the life of someone they know. You could invite students as they study chapter 14 to look for how Elder Andersen defines repentance and how continual repentance can become a way of life for us.