August 13

How Can Jesus Christ Help Me Change?

Romans 1–6

Counsel Together

Led by a member of the class or quorum presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. How are we finding joy in following Jesus Christ?

• Care for those in need. Who in our ward or community needs our help? How can we help them?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we help each other prepare for missionary service?

• Unite families for eternity. How can we contribute to our ward’s efforts to do family history and temple work?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change!” President Russell M. Nelson has said (“Decisions for Eternity,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 108). Similarly, the Apostle Paul explained that when we are baptized, we “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Because of Jesus Christ, every day—not just the day we are baptized—can bring “newness of life” or a chance to walk farther from sin and closer to God. To live the gospel of Jesus Christ means to repent and grow closer to God—constantly, sometimes gradually—knowing that our efforts will lead us to a fulness of joy.

Ponder how the Savior is changing you and the people you teach. How can you more completely receive the Savior’s power to change you? Think about this as you read Romans 1–6 and as you prepare to teach. You might also review President Russell M. Nelson’s message “We Can Do Better and Be Better” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 67–69) or Sister Becky Craven’s message “Keep the Change” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 58–60).

Learn Together

For some of us, the “newness of life” that Christ offers (Romans 6:4) is hard to discern because it happens gradually, while for others, this change happens more quickly. You might invite class or quorum members to share what “walk in newness of life” means to them. What are some words and phrases from Romans 6 that describe our lives with and without the Savior’s influence? (If the youth need help, they could look in verses 6, 11, 22–23.) What other words and phrases can we think of? How does the Savior offer to help us change? Activities like the following can lead to a deeper discussion on this topic.

• To help the class or quorum think about changes the Savior could help them make, invite them to read the definition under “Repent, Repentance” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). They could also discuss President Russell M. Nelson’s definition of repentance in the first seven paragraphs of his message “We Can Do Better and Be Better.” What important truths do we learn about repentance from these definitions? You might also give the class or quorum time to ponder President Nelson’s list of things Jesus asks us to change (in the fifth paragraph of his message). Encourage them to write down something specific they feel prompted to change. Bear your testimony about the Savior’s power to help us repent and change.

• Sister Becky Craven said that friends from her past sometimes say, “You haven’t changed at all!” You might share Sister Craven’s comments about this (see “Keep the Change,” 59–60). Ask class or quorum members to imagine that in five or ten years, they run into a friend from their past. What changes might be obvious to our friends? In what ways do we hope we will have changed? How can faith in Jesus Christ help us to change? (see Mosiah 5:2–5, 7; Alma 5:11–13; Ether 12:27, or the “continuous pattern for change” Sister Craven described in the four paragraphs of her message beginning with “When I was younger”). You might ask the youth to share any experiences when Jesus Christ helped them change.

• Sometimes we may think that we are expected to make changes or improvements in our lives all on our own. How is this different from true repentance? To help your class or quorum discuss this question, you could review together the statements in “Supporting Resources.” What can we do now to seek the Savior’s help and power so that our changes will be permanent and joyful? This could be a good opportunity for the youth to consider their personal development goals. How can we include the Savior in our goals?

Faith in Jesus Christ helps us to repent and become more like Him each day.

Act in Faith

Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Supporting Resources

• President Russell M. Nelson explained: “We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change. How? There is only one way. True change—permanent change—can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He loves you—each of you! He allows you to access His power as you keep His commandments, eagerly, earnestly, and exactly” (“Decisions for Eternity,” 108).

• Elder Dale G. Renlund taught: “The power that makes repentance possible [is] the atoning sacrifice of our Savior. Real repentance must involve faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, faith that He can change us, faith that He can forgive us, and faith that He will help us avoid more mistakes. This kind of faith makes His Atonement effective in our lives. When we … ‘turn around’ [repent] with the Savior’s help, we can feel hope in His promises and the joy of forgiveness. Without the Redeemer, the inherent hope and joy evaporate, and repentance becomes simply miserable behavior modification. But by exercising faith in Him, we become converted to His ability and willingness to forgive sin” (Dale G. Renlund, “Repentance: A Joyful Choice,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 122).

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

The activities in this outline suggest possible ways to help your class or quorum learn together about the Savior and His power to help us change. There may be other approaches that will work better for those you teach. Prayerfully seek the guidance of the Spirit as you plan ways to build faith in Jesus Christ.