What can I learn about gospel learning from the Savior’s example?
In gospel learning, as in all things, Jesus Christ is our perfect example. Because He was perfectly obedient and submissive to His Father, He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Just as the Savior received “grace for grace” (D&C 93:12), we must patiently seek light and knowledge from God in our efforts to learn the gospel.
Prepare yourself spiritually
What Christlike attributes do you feel are important to gospel learning? How has developing these attributes helped you in your efforts to study and teach the gospel?
What can the youth understand about the Savior that will help them become better students of the gospel?
Prayerfully study the following scriptures and resources. What will inspire the youth you teach?
Luke 2:40–52 (Jesus Christ grew in wisdom and spirit as a boy)
John 5:30 (Jesus Christ always sought His Father’s will)
1 Corinthians 2:14 (The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit)
D&C 1:26–28; 112:10 (If we are willing and humble, the Lord will teach us)
D&C 93:11–20 (We can receive grace for grace as the Savior did)
D&C 130:18–19 (We gain knowledge and intelligence through diligence and obedience)
Richard G. Scott, “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86–88; Liahona, Jan. 1994, 86–88
Robert R. Steuer, “Being Teachable,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2002, 31–32
Teaching in the Savior’s way
The Savior loved those He taught. He prayed for them and continually served them. How can praying for and serving the youth you teach help them feel your love for them? How will this affect the quality of your teaching?
Video: “Share Stories and Examples”
Make connections
During the first few minutes of every class, help the youth make connections between what they are learning in various settings (such as personal study, seminary, other Church classes, or experiences with their friends). How can you help them see the relevance of the gospel in daily living? The ideas below might help:
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Invite the youth to share something they are learning about the Savior in their personal study. What are they doing to try to be more like Him?
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Ask the youth to make a list on the board of the attributes of Jesus Christ (for some ideas, see Preach My Gospel, page 126). Which of these attributes do the youth feel can help us become better gospel learners? Ask them to explain their answers and give examples of ways the Savior demonstrated these attributes.
Learn together
Each of the following activities will help the youth understand how developing Christlike attributes can help them become better gospel learners. Following the inspiration of the Spirit, select one or more that will work best for your class:
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As a class, read one or more of the following scriptures: Luke 2:40–52; John 5:30; Doctrine and Covenants 93:11–20. Invite the youth to look in these verses for qualities of good learners that the Savior exemplified. Ask them to share what they find, along with other qualities of good learners that they would like to develop in their own lives.
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Write the following scripture references on the board: John 5:30; D&C 1:26–28; 112:10; 130:18–19. Ask each youth to select one of the references, read it, and find in the scripture an attribute of good learners. Why are these attributes important in learning the gospel? Invite the youth to plan ways they can apply these attributes in their gospel study.
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Invite each class member to read about one of the four principles for acquiring spiritual knowledge in Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge.” Ask the youth to share what they learn about learning from Elder Scott’s message. In what ways did the Savior exemplify these principles? Invite them to share ways they can apply these principles in their own gospel learning.
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Invite the youth to read Elder Robert R. Steuer’s talk “Being Teachable.” Ask them to select a scriptural example Elder Steuer uses that interests them. Invite them to look for the story in the scriptures (using the references in the talk), read more about it, and share what they read with the rest of the class. What do they learn about being teachable from these stories? What similar examples from their own lives can they share? How can they follow these examples in their own study of the gospel?
Ask the youth to share what they learned today. Do they understand how becoming more Christlike can help them be better gospel learners? What feelings or impressions do they have? Do they have any additional questions? Would it be worthwhile to spend more time on this topic?
Gospel study skills
Looking for attributes of Jesus Christ. In the first activity in this section, the youth are invited to look for attributes of Christ in the scriptures. Encourage the youth to do this whenever they read the scriptures. They could ask themselves questions like “What do I learn about Jesus Christ? What do I need to change in my life to become more like Him?”
Invite to act
Ask the youth what they feel inspired to do based on what they learned today. Encourage them to act on these feelings. Consider ways you can follow up.