“April 10–16. Matthew 15–17; Mark 7–9: ‘Thou Art the Christ,’” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2023 (2022)
“April 10–16. Matthew 15–17; Mark 7–9,” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: 2023
The Transfiguration, by Carl Heinrich Bloch
April 10–16
Matthew 15–17; Mark 7–9
“Thou Art the Christ”
One of your main objectives as a teacher is to help others build their faith in Jesus Christ. Keep this in mind as you study the scriptures this week. What do you find that could help class members believe in Him more deeply?
Invite Sharing
One way you can encourage class members to study the scriptures personally and with their families is to invite them to share each week how their study of the scriptures helped them receive revelation and blessed their lives. For example, how did their study of these chapters influence the choices they made this week?
Teach the Doctrine
A testimony of Jesus Christ comes by revelation.
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Have any of your class members had to explain to someone how they know the gospel is true? In Matthew 16:13–17, what did the Savior teach about how we receive a testimony? You could share how Alma gained his testimony (see Alma 5:45–46) or what the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery about revelation (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–15, 22–23; 8:2–3). What do you think Peter or Alma or Oliver Cowdery might have said if someone asked them how they know the gospel is true?
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There may be people in your class who are praying for personal revelation but do not know how to recognize it when it comes. At HearHim.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, you can find videos in which Church leaders share how they recognize the Lord’s voice. You might watch one or more of these videos with the class and talk about what the videos teach about receiving revelation. What other teachings or scriptures can your class think of that would help someone recognize personal revelation? (For example, see 1 Kings 19:11–12; Galatians 5:22–23; Enos 1:1–8; Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–24; 8:2–3; 9:7–9.)
Priesthood keys are essential for our salvation.
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To start a discussion about priesthood keys, you could write references like these on the board: Matthew 16:19; Doctrine and Covenants 107:18–20; 128:8–11; 132:18–19, 59; Joseph Smith—History 1:72; and “Keys of the Priesthood” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Then invite class members to read one or more of the passages and share something they learn from them about priesthood keys. Why do we need priesthood keys?
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To help class members strengthen their testimonies of the restoration of priesthood keys in the latter days, you could ask half of the class to study Matthew 17:1–9 and the other half to study Doctrine and Covenants 110. They could then share with each other what they learned and note similarities between the two accounts. The video “Priesthood Keys: The Restoration of Priesthood Keys” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) could also be helpful.
Priesthood keys are the authority to direct the use of the priesthood.
When seeking greater faith, we start with the faith we have.
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland used the account of a father seeking healing for his son to teach how we should approach the Lord when we feel that our faith is insufficient (see “Lord, I Believe,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 93–95). After reading Mark 9:14–30 as a class, you could discuss together Elder Holland’s three observations (see “Additional Resources”).
Additional Resources
Three observations to help us gain more faith.
After retelling the account found in Mark 9:14–29, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:
“Observation number one regarding this account is that when facing the challenge of faith, the father asserts his strength first and only then acknowledges his limitation. His initial declaration is affirmative and without hesitation: ‘Lord, I believe.’ I would say to all who wish for more faith, remember this man! In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited. …
“The second observation is a variation of the first. When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your ‘unbelief.’ … I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have. …
“Last observation: When doubt or difficulty come, do not be afraid to ask for help. If we want it as humbly and honestly as this father did, we can get it” (“Lord, I Believe,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 93–94).
Improving Our Teaching
Ask questions that invite testimony. Asking questions that encourage class members to bear their testimonies can be an effective way to invite the Spirit. For example, when discussing Matthew 16:13–17, you could ask, “What have you learned about the Savior that has strengthened your testimony of Him as the Savior?” (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 32.)