“April 24–30. John 7–10: ‘I Am the Good Shepherd,’” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2023 (2022)
“April 24–30. John 7–10,” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: 2023
Neither Do I Condemn Thee, by Eva Koleva Timothy
April 24–30
John 7–10
“I Am the Good Shepherd”
You and your class members will gain insights while reading John 7–10 this week. Remember that the ideas in this outline should supplement rather than replace the inspiration you receive by studying the scriptures.
Invite Sharing
Remind class members about the importance of making their homes the center of gospel learning. Ask them to share what the Holy Ghost taught them as they studied John 7–10 at home, individually or with their families.
Teach the Doctrine
Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
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Throughout John 7–10, the Savior made several declarations that can help class members better understand His mission and draw closer to Him. Consider inviting class members to read the following scripture passages and share what they teach about the Savior’s divine mission. How does Christ fulfill these roles in our lives?
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John 7:37–39: The source of “living water”
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John 9:8–10, 35–38: “The Son of God”
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John 10:7–9: “The door”
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John 10:11–14: “The good shepherd”
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Light of the World, by Howard Lyon
As we live the teachings of Jesus Christ, we will come to know they are true.
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In some ways, gaining a testimony is like learning a skill—both require practice and experience. To illustrate this, you could invite class members who have a particular skill, such as juggling or playing a musical instrument, to explain how they developed their skill. Why isn’t it enough to read about the skill or watch someone else perform it? As a class, discuss how the effort involved in practicing a skill is similar to the spiritual pattern the Savior described in John 7:14–17. How is it different?
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Perhaps class members could share experiences in which living a gospel truth helped them gain a testimony of it. Give class members time to think of a gospel principle they would like to gain a stronger testimony of, and then encourage them to set specific goals to live that principle more fully.
The Savior’s mercy is extended to all who repent.
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To those who feel condemned because of their sins, the story of the Savior offering mercy and repentance to the woman taken in adultery could be a source of encouragement. Or, if class members feel tempted to condemn others because of their sins, the story could serve as a warning. You could invite class members to read John 8:1–11, looking for answers to questions like the following: What does this story teach about the Savior’s mercy? How might receiving His mercy when we sin help us when we feel tempted to judge others? (see Alma 29:9–10).
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To help class members find personal relevance in John 8:1–11, consider dividing the class into three groups—one to focus on the words and actions of the Pharisees, one to focus on the words and actions of the Savior, and one to focus on the words and actions of the woman. They could do this while reading the account or while watching the video “Go and Sin No More” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite each group to make a list of the spiritual truths they learn from reading each part of the account.
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Sometimes we aren’t aware of ways in which we judge others. Here’s an activity to help class members overcome this tendency: Ask the class to help you create a list of ways we judge people (on their appearance, their behavior, their background, and so on). Give class members pieces of paper cut in the shape of a stone, and ask them to select a way of judging others that they feel they are guilty of and write it on a paper stone. What do we learn from the Savior’s words to the Pharisees in John 8:1–11? Invite the class to write on the other side of their paper stones something that will remind them not to judge (perhaps a phrase from John 8).
As we come to know Jesus Christ, we come to know the Father.
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What do the Savior’s words in John 8:18–19, 26–29 teach about the connection between Him and His Father? After reading and discussing these verses, class members could list on the board some things Jesus did, said, or taught. What do we learn about God the Father from these things?
Improving Our Teaching
Live worthy of the Spirit’s guidance. When you live the gospel, you are worthy of the companionship of the Spirit. As you seek His guidance, He will give you thoughts and impressions about how to meet the needs of those you teach. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 5.)