Little Lamb, by Jenedy Paige

December 18–24

Christmas

“Good Tidings of Great Joy”

Gospel discussions are spiritually powerful when they are centered on Jesus Christ. As you study the birth and mission of Jesus Christ this week, seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost to know how you can best center your class discussion on the Savior.

Invite Sharing

Invite class members to share what they are doing or have done in the past as individuals or families to celebrate the Savior’s birth in ways that bring them closer to Him.

Teach the Doctrine

Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20

Jesus Christ condescended to be born on earth.

• Christmas is a good time to ponder and celebrate the condescension of Christ—His willingness to leave “his Father’s courts on high, with man to live, for man to die” (“Again We Meet around the Board,” Hymns, no. 186). To inspire a discussion on this topic, you could ask class members what they learned in their personal or family study this week about who Jesus Christ was before He was born (see John 17:5; Mosiah 7:27; Doctrine and Covenants 76:12–14, 20–24; Moses 4:2). Then you could display the image in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families as class members read about the Savior’s birth (see Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20). Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings as they compare the Savior’s premortal glory with His humble birth.

• A question like the one the angel asked Nephi in 1 Nephi 11:16 could be a good way to start a class discussion, though you might word it differently. Maybe you could write on the board What is the condescension of God? and ask class members to ponder this question as they read 1 Nephi 11:17–33. Ask them to share any thoughts about the Savior that these verses inspire. What pictures could you show the class that depict scenes from the Savior’s life described by Nephi? Class members could also consider the condescension of the Savior as they watch a video about His birth, such as “A Gift to the World,” “The Nativity,” or “He Is the Gift” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Music is a wonderful way to invite the Spirit to your class. Consider inviting someone to perform a Christmas song or reading or singing a few hymns together as a class (see Hymns, nos. 201–14). Class members could look for phrases in these hymns and the scriptures listed with the hymns that increase their gratitude for the Savior and His willingness to come to earth.

Gethsemane, by J. Kirk Richards

Luke 4:16–21; John 3:16

Jesus Christ fulfilled His mission, which made it possible for us to inherit eternal life.

• To help class members discuss the reasons Jesus Christ was born, you could invite them to find and share scriptures that summarize His mission (see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families for some examples). Perhaps class members could look for and read verses in pairs or small groups. What do they learn about Christ’s mission from the verses they found? What do we learn about His mission from some of the titles He is given in the scriptures? (see Bible Dictionary, “Christ, names of”).

• Class members could learn about the Savior’s mission by reading “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) and sharing statements they find that explain why He came to earth. Give class members time to reflect on their testimonies of Jesus Christ and His mission. Could they share personal experiences or stories from the Savior’s life that have increased their faith in or love for Him? How has studying the New Testament this year contributed to a more meaningful Christmas season? To review some of the New Testament accounts class members have learned about this year, you might show the videos “For God So Loved the World” or “To This End Was I Born” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Improving Our Teaching

Reserve time for learners to share. “When learners share what they are learning, they not only feel the Spirit and strengthen their own testimonies, but they also encourage other class members to discover truths for themselves. … Reserve time for student sharing in every lesson—in some cases, you may find that these discussions are the lesson” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 30).