Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Tree, by James Tissot

May 15–21

Matthew 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; John 12

“Behold, Thy King Cometh”

As you read Matthew 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; and John 12, look for principles that will help meet the needs of the people you teach. The Holy Ghost will inspire you to know how to help class members discover those principles.

Invite Sharing

Several days before class, invite a few class members to come to class prepared to share an experience they had while studying this week’s assigned chapters. Ask them to tell about the blessings that come to them as they study the scriptures during the week.

Teach the Doctrine

Luke 19:1–10

The Savior knows us personally.

• Your class members have likely felt overlooked or forgotten at times in their lives. The account of Zacchaeus can help them understand that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know them and care about them. To help class members liken this account to their lives, invite them to imagine themselves as Zacchaeus. What do you think he learned about the Savior from his experience? What can we learn from Zacchaeus’s efforts about seeking the Savior?

Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:29–44; John 12:12–16

Jesus Christ is our King.

• A simple activity could introduce a discussion about the Savior’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem: Several class members could draw on the board things associated with a king, such as a crown or a throne, while the others guess what they are drawing. Then other class members could draw a colt and tree branches. What do these things have to do with a king? You could then show the picture of the Savior’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families and invite class members to read Mark 11:1–11. How did these people recognize Jesus as their King? How do we worship Jesus Christ as our King through our words and actions?

Matthew 22:34–40

The two great commandments are to love God and love others as ourselves.

• How can you help class members understand that “on these two commandments”—loving God and loving our neighbor—“hang all the law and the prophets”? (Matthew 22:40). After reading Matthew 22:34–40 together, you could write Love God and Love your neighbor on the board. Give each class member a slip of paper with a commandment written on it. Invite a few of them to read their commandment and talk about how their commandment helps us obey one or both of these two great commandments. After they discuss their commandment, they could put their paper on the board. Why is it important to remember that all commandments relate to the two great commandments? (see “Additional Resources”).

Matthew 23:13–33

We will be protected as we avoid following blind guides.

• Would your class members benefit from discussing the term “blind guides,” which the Savior used to describe the spiritually blind Pharisees and scribes? (Matthew 23:16). You might think of a way to demonstrate what it would be like for someone to follow a person who couldn’t see. Or the class could list on the board the characteristics of a blind guide, as described in Matthew 23:13–33. To add to the list, consider looking at additional scriptures that teach about spiritual blindness, such as 2 Corinthians 4:3–4; 2 Nephi 9:28–32; and Jacob 4:14. How can we recognize and avoid blind guides?

The Savior denounced the Pharisees as hypocrites and blind guides.

Additional Resources

Loving God and loving our neighbors is the foundation of all we do.

Referring to the two great commandments found in Matthew 22:37–39, President M. Russell Ballard taught:

“Obedience to those two commandments provides a way to experience more peace and joy. When we love and serve the Lord and love and serve our neighbors, we will naturally feel more happiness that comes to us in no better way.

“Loving God and loving our neighbors is the doctrinal foundation of ministering; home-centered, Church-supported learning; Sabbath-day spiritual worship; and the work of salvation on both sides of the veil supported in the Relief Societies and the elders quorums. All of these things are based on the divine commandments to love God and to love our neighbors. Can there be anything more basic, more fundamental, and more simple than that?” (“The True, Pure, and Simple Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 29).

Improving Our Teaching

You don’t need to cover everything. “There is much to discuss in each lesson, but it is not necessary to cover everything in one class period in order to touch someone’s heart—often one or two key points are enough. As you ponder learners’ needs, the Spirit will help you identify which principles, stories, or scriptures will be especially meaningful to them” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 7).