Into the Wilderness, by Eva Koleva Timothy

January 30–February 5

Matthew 4; Luke 4–5

“The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me”

As you study Matthew 4 and Luke 4–5, record your spiritual impressions. This will invite inspiration on how to best meet the needs of your class. You might also consider using Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families as well as this outline to find additional ideas.

Invite Sharing

This week’s reading includes this statement: “They were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power” (Luke 4:32; see also Mark 1:22). Invite class members to share verses from Matthew 4 and Luke 4–5 that helped them feel that doctrinal power for themselves.

Teach the Doctrine

Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13

Heavenly Father has given us the power and means to resist temptation.

• The account of the Savior resisting Satan could help class members recognize ways in which Satan tries to tempt them. Class members could select one of the temptations in Matthew 4:1–11 or Luke 4:1–13 and think of a modern, related temptation (the statement in “Additional Resources” might help). Why is it helpful to know that the Savior faced temptations similar to those we face today? Why was Christ able to resist temptation? For other scriptural examples of people resisting Satan, see Genesis 39:7–20; 2 Nephi 4:16–35; and Moses 1:10–22.

• What could help class members resist temptation? You could ask them to review Matthew 4:1–11 or Luke 4:1–13 to learn how the Savior’s knowledge of the scriptures helped Him respond to Satan, as He did when He said, “It is written.” Give class members time to look under “Temptation” in the Topical Guide for scriptures that could fortify and strengthen them when they feel tempted.

Luke 4:16–32

Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah.

• To help your class members better understand the account in Luke 4:16–32, you might explain that the titles Messiah and Christ both mean “the anointed.” As class members read Luke 4:18–21, ask them to think about what it means to say that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, or the Anointed One. They may also find it helpful to read “Anointed One” in the Bible Dictionary. How does Jesus declare that He is the Messiah today? Class members could share how they have come to know that Jesus Christ is their Savior.

• There may be some helpful lessons to learn by exploring why the people of Nazareth did not accept Jesus as the prophesied Messiah. What reasons, for example, are suggested in Luke 4:22–24? Class members could then contrast these attitudes with those of the widow of Zarephath and Naaman in the Old Testament, people who were not Israelites (see Luke 4:25–27). You could contact some class members in advance and ask them to come prepared to summarize each of these accounts (see 1 Kings 17:8–24; 2 Kings 5:1–17; Luke 4:16–30). What do these accounts teach us about having faith in Jesus Christ? Do we see any messages for us in the Savior’s words to the people of Nazareth?

Matthew 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11

Following Christ means forsaking our will and accepting His.

• Sometimes the direction the Lord gives us doesn’t make sense at first. Class members could search Luke 5:1–11, looking for what the Savior asked of Peter and why Peter might have doubted His instructions. How might this experience have affected Peter’s feelings about the Savior and himself? You could invite class members to share experiences in which they demonstrated their faith in divine guidance despite not having a complete understanding. What was the result when they exercised their faith?

  

  “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

• Just as the fishermen “forsook all” to follow Jesus Christ (Luke 5:11), there are things we have to forsake to become His disciples. What do we learn from Matthew 4:18–22 about the attitudes and faith of Peter, Andrew, James, and John? It might be helpful to bring a fishing net to class. Then invite class members to write down things they are willing to forsake or have already forsaken to follow Christ and place them in the net. Consider inviting a few class members to share how their lives have changed as they have chosen to forsake all to follow the Savior.

Additional Resources

Types of temptation.

After speaking of the temptations the Savior faced in the wilderness, President David O. McKay identified three categories of temptations:

“(1) A temptation of the appetite or passion;

“(2) A yielding to pride, fashion, or vanity;

“(3) A desire for worldly riches or power and dominion over lands or earthly possessions of men” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 82).

Improving Our Teaching

Thank your learners. “Don’t become so absorbed with the lesson that you forget to thank learners for their contributions. They need to know that you appreciate their willingness to share their insights and testimonies” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 33).