Let Us Adore Him, by Dana Mario Wood

January 9–15

Matthew 2; Luke 2

We Have Come to Worship Him

Before you read the ideas in this outline, study Matthew 2 and Luke 2, and record your spiritual impressions. This will help you receive revelation on how to best meet the needs of your class.

Invite Sharing

How can you encourage class members to share insights and experiences they had as they studied the scriptures individually and with their families? Though they are likely familiar with the accounts of the Savior’s birth in Matthew 2 and Luke 2, they can always gain new spiritual insights. Consider inviting a few class members to share a message they found that impressed them in a new way.

Teach the Doctrine

Matthew 2:1–12; Luke 2:1–38

There are many witnesses of the birth of Christ.

• The accounts of worshippers in Matthew 2:1–12 and Luke 2:1–38 can help your class members ponder the ways they show their love for the Savior. Review the chart about witnesses of Christ’s birth in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Some people in your class may have insights to share from this activity, or you could do the activity as a class. Why is it significant that these witnesses of Christ came from various walks of life? How can we follow their examples?

  

  The shepherds became some of the first witnesses of the Savior’s birth.

• Before these witnesses worshipped the Christ child, they sought after Him. To help class members learn from their example, you could write on the board the following headings: Shepherds, Anna, Simeon, and Wise Men. Then class members could search Matthew 2 and Luke 2 and write on the board what these people did to seek the Savior. What do these accounts suggest about some of the ways we can seek Christ?

Matthew 2:13–23

Parents can receive revelation to protect their families.

• To begin a discussion about how Heavenly Father guided Joseph and Mary in their role as the Savior’s parents, consider inviting class members to list on the board some of the dangers we face today. What do we learn from Matthew 2:13–23 about how to find protection from these dangers? How has personal revelation helped us protect our families or other loved ones from danger? What counsel have prophets and apostles given to help us find spiritual safety?

Luke 2:40–52

Even as a youth, Jesus was focused on doing His Father’s will.

• The story of Jesus teaching in the temple when He was only 12 years old can be especially powerful to youth who wonder about the contribution they can make to the work of God. You could divide the class into pairs to read Luke 2:40–52 together (see the insight from the Joseph Smith Translation found in Luke 2:46, footnote c). Each pair could take a few minutes to share with each other what inspires them about this account. What opportunities do we have to share what we know about the gospel? What experiences can we share?

• What does Luke 2:40–52 teach us about what Jesus was like as a youth? The pattern for personal growth suggested in Luke 2:52 could inspire a discussion on what we are doing to become more like Christ. You might suggest that class members ponder how they are increasing in wisdom (intellectually), stature (physically), favor with God (spiritually), and favor with others (socially). They could even set goals in one or more of these areas. If you would like to continue a discussion about becoming like Christ in these areas, especially if you teach youth, consider using the statement in “Additional Resources.”

Additional Resources

Helping children and youth grow “in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

President Steven J. Lund described the Children and Youth program, which is based in part on Luke 2:52, in this way:

“Children and Youth is a tool to help every Primary child and youth to grow in discipleship and to gain a faith-filled vision of what the way of happiness looks like. They can come to anticipate and yearn for the way stations and signposts along the covenant path, where they will be baptized and confirmed with the gift of the Holy Ghost and soon belong to quorums and Young Women classes, where they will feel the joy of helping others through a succession of Christlike acts of service. They will set goals, large and small, that will bring balance to their lives as they become more like the Savior” (“Finding Joy in Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 36–37).

Improving Our Teaching

Include learners who didn’t study the scriptures at home. Even though some class members may not have been able to read Matthew 2 and Luke 2 before class, they can still share meaningful insights. Make sure all class members have opportunities to participate and contribute to the discussion.