March 20–26

Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13

“Who Hath Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear”

As you read, think of questions members of your class may have as they try to understand the messages of the parables. What could be difficult to understand? How can your study prepare you to answer their questions?

Invite Sharing

Review with the class “Ideas to Improve Your Personal Scripture Study” in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Invite class members to share methods they used to study Matthew 13 and Luke 8; 13.

Teach the Doctrine

Matthew 13:1–23

Our hearts must be prepared to receive the word of God.

• How can you use the parable of the sower to inspire your class members to prepare their hearts to receive the word of God? You could write Disciples and Others on the board. Invite class members to read Matthew 13:10–17 and look for how the Savior described the differences between His disciples and others who heard His parables. Then ask class members to search verses 18–23, looking for what might cause our ears to become “dull of hearing” or our eyes to be closed to spiritual things. What direction are we receiving in our day from God and His servants? How can we cultivate “good ground” to receive their direction? (verse 23).

• You might invite a few class members to each come prepared to teach a section from President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “The Parable of the Sower” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 32–35). What does his message add to our understanding of the parable?

Matthew 13:24–35, 44–53

Jesus’s parables help us understand the growth, destiny, and value of His Church.

• How can you help class members understand the truths about the Church that are taught in Jesus’s parables in Matthew 13? You could list a few of the parables on the board (see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families and Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 293–303). Class members could study one or more parables individually or in small groups and share what they learn about the growth and destiny of Christ’s Church.

The kingdom of heaven is like a fisherman’s net.

• What do we learn about the value of belonging to the Church from the parables of the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price, found in Matthew 13:44–46? Some members of your class (or people they know) may have made sacrifices—big or small—to become members of the Church. Invite class members to share sacrifices they have made or seen others make in order to belong to the Church. What blessings have come as a result? Invite class members to ponder what they feel prompted to sacrifice for the Savior.

Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

At the end of the world, the Lord will gather the righteous and destroy the wicked.

• How can you help your class draw lessons from the parable of the wheat and the tares that will help them remain faithful Latter-day Saints? Start by inviting a class member to summarize the parable and its interpretation. What are some lessons in this parable for our day? Why is it important to know that the Lord allows His Saints to “grow together” (Matthew 13:30) with the wicked until the time of the harvest? How can we keep our faith in Jesus Christ strong when wickedness is all around us? How can Christ help us? Doctrine and Covenants 86:1–7 and Elder L. Tom Perry’s statement in “Additional Resources” can give additional insights into the latter-day application of this parable.

Additional Resources

We should nourish the good.

Elder L. Tom Perry taught: “That old enemy of all mankind has found as many devices as he can think of to scatter tares far and wide. He has found ways to have them penetrate even the sanctity of our own homes. The wicked and worldly ways have become so widespread there seems to be no real way of weeding them out. They come by wire and through the air into the very devices we have developed to educate and entertain us. The wheat and the tares have grown close together. A steward managing the field must, with all his or her power, nourish that which is good and make it so strong and beautiful the tares will have no appeal either to the eye or the ear” (“Finding Lasting Peace and Building Eternal Families,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 44).

Improving Our Teaching

Center your teaching on doctrine. Make sure your class discussions focus on the foundational doctrine in the scriptures. You can do this by asking students to read scriptures in advance, centering your class discussions on the scriptures, and asking class members to share their testimonies of true doctrine. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 20–21.)