March 6–12

Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9

“These Twelve Jesus Sent Forth”

As you read Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; and Luke 9, seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost about the needs of those you teach. Recording your spiritual impressions can help you prepare for an experience that will bless you and the members of your class.

Invite Sharing

You could ask class members to each write on a slip of paper a truth they learned from the scriptures this week, including the scripture verses. After collecting the papers, select several to read to the class. How can we apply these truths to our lives?

Teach the Doctrine

Matthew 9

Christ has power to heal us physically and spiritually.

• Many of the Savior’s miraculous healings also teach spiritual truths. To help class members understand this, you could divide the class into four groups and assign each group one of the following passages: Matthew 9:2–8; Matthew 9:18–19, 23–26; Matthew 9:20–22; and Matthew 9:27–31. Ask each group to study the miracle described in their passage and then summarize it for the class. What spiritual truths can we learn from these miracles?

Trust in the Lord, by Liz Lemon Swindle

Matthew 10

The Lord gives His servants power to do His work.

• The Savior’s commission to His Apostles can help us in our individual responsibilities. Class members may have had insights into this topic through their personal study; for example, there is an activity on this topic in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Invite them to share what they learned or work in small groups to complete the activity in class. Invite class members to share experiences when they felt the Savior’s power as they fulfilled their callings.

• How can studying the commission Christ gave to His Apostles in Matthew 10 help your class members understand the role of modern prophets and apostles? It might be helpful to compare the Savior’s commission to the Twelve to the commission given to the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation, found in “Additional Resources.” Perhaps class members could share how they have been influenced by the ministry of the living Apostles. Bear your testimony of the divine calling of the living prophets and apostles, and invite class members to bear theirs.

Matthew 10:17–20

When we are in the Lord’s service, He will inspire us with what to say.

• People sometimes feel nervous when teaching or talking with others about the gospel. But the Lord promised the disciples that He would help them know what to say. What do we need to do to receive the Lord’s promised help for ourselves? Invite class members to read Matthew 10:19–20; Doctrine and Covenants 84:85; and Doctrine and Covenants 100:5–8 to find answers to this question. When has the Holy Ghost helped you know what to say? You might share your experiences and invite class members to share their own.

Additional Resources

A commission to latter-day Apostles.

When some of the first members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation were called, Oliver Cowdery gave them a commission similar to the one Jesus Christ gave in Matthew 10. He said:

“‘You will have to combat all the prejudices of all nations. … I, therefore, warn you to cultivate great humility, for I know the pride of the human heart. Beware, lest the flatterers of the world lift you up. Beware lest your affections are captivated by worldly objects. Let your ministry be first. … [It] is necessary that you receive a testimony from Heaven for yourselves, so that you can bear testimony to the truth. …

“‘… You are to bear this message to those who consider themselves wise. And such may persecute you; they may seek your life. The adversary has always sought the life of the servants of God. You are, therefore, to be prepared at all times to make a sacrifice of your lives, should God require them in the advancement and building up of His cause. …

“He then took them separately by the hand and said, ‘Do you with full purpose of heart take part in this ministry, to proclaim the gospel with all diligence with these your brethren, according to the tenor and intent of the charge you have received?’ Each of which answered in the affirmative” (in “Minutes and Blessings, 21 February 1835,” Minute Book 1, 159–161, 164, josephsmithpapers.org; spelling and punctuation modernized).

Improving Our Teaching

Testify of blessings. When you extend invitations to act, testify to your learners that they will receive the blessings God has promised when they act with faith on His teachings. Blessings shouldn’t be our primary motivation for obedience, but Heavenly Father desires to bless all His children. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 35.)