Why is teaching the gospel important in the plan of salvation?

In order to fulfill the purposes of the plan of happiness, Heavenly Father’s children need to learn about the gospel. For this reason, God needs each of us to teach the gospel to our families, to other members of the Church, and to those who haven’t received the gospel.

Prepare yourself spiritually

How have you been influenced by a gospel teacher? What influence are you having on those you teach?

Who else teaches the youth in your class? How have these teachers influenced the lives of the youth?

When have the youth had opportunities to teach? How have they helped others?

Prayerfully study these scriptures and resources. What do you feel impressed to share with the youth?

Luke 2:46–52 (At a young age, the Savior taught others the truths of the gospel); see also the Bible video “Young Jesus Teaches in the Temple”

2 Nephi 2:8 (The importance to make these things known is great)

D&C 43:8; 88:77–80 (The Lord commands us to teach one another)

Teaching, No Greater Call (1999), 3–4

Video: “Teaching Helps Save Lives”

Teaching in the Savior’s way

The Savior prepared Himself to teach others the gospel. He spent time alone in prayer and fasting. In private moments, He sought Heavenly Father’s guidance. How can you prepare yourself spiritually to teach the youth?

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Let Us Teach

Video: “Let Us Teach”

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Make connections

During the first few minutes of every class, help the youth make connections between things 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 you:

Follow up on what the youth learned during Sunday School last week. In what ways did they continue their learning during the week?
Ask the youth to talk about an experience in which someone taught them something in a meaningful way. You could also share an experience of your own.
Invite the youth to tell about a time when they taught the gospel (for example, at home, with a friend, or at church). Why is teaching important in God’s plan for His children?

Learn together

Each of the activities below will help the youth understand the importance of teaching the gospel in Heavenly Father’s plan. Following the guidance of the Spirit, select one or more that will work best for your class:

Show a picture of the Savior teaching in the temple (see Gospel Art Book, 34), and invite the youth to read Luke 2:46–52 (or show the video “Young Jesus Teaches in the Temple”). How did the Savior, even as a young boy, feel about the importance of teaching? What else does this story teach us about the importance of teaching in Heavenly Father’s plan? Ask the youth to think of and make a list of all the teaching opportunities they currently have (encourage them to include informal settings, such as conversations with friends). Invite the youth to choose something from the list and ponder this question: “How can I help fulfill Heavenly Father’s plan by taking advantage of this teaching opportunity?” Ask them to share their thoughts.
Show the video “Teaching Helps Save Lives,” and ask the youth to think about effective gospel teachers they’ve had, including parents and other family members. Divide them into pairs, and invite them to tell each other about the teachers they thought of. What made these teachers effective? How have these teachers helped fulfill Heavenly Father’s plan? What can the youth do to follow their examples?
Invite the youth to read pages 3 and 4 in Teaching, No Greater Call and look for a statement that answers the question “Why is gospel teaching important in the plan of salvation?” Ask them to write their statements on a small card, and collect the cards. Read one of the cards, and invite the class member who wrote that response to come to the front of the class and explain why he or she chose that statement. Encourage them to share an experience they have had that illustrates the statement they chose.

Ask the youth to share what they learned today. Do they understand the role of gospel teaching in the plan of salvation? What feelings or impressions do they have? Do they have any additional questions? Would it be worthwhile to spend more time on this doctrine?

Teaching tip

“Your main concern should be helping others learn the gospel, not making an impressive presentation. This includes providing opportunities for learners to teach one another” (Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 64).

Invite to act

Ask the youth what impressions they received today about teaching. What can they do to act on these impressions?
Share your testimony about the importance of teaching.