Illustration of Moses and Aaron in the court of Pharaoh, by Robert T. Barrett

March 28–April 3

Exodus 7–13

“Remember This Day, in Which Ye Came Out from Egypt”

Your ability to be guided by the Spirit in your teaching will be greatly enhanced as you have your own spiritual experience with studying Exodus 7–13.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Think of a question or two that will encourage class members to share insights and experiences they had as they studied Exodus 7–13 individually and with their families. For example, you might ask, “What did you read this week that strengthened your faith in Jesus Christ?” or “What did you read that was a blessing to your family?”

Teach the Doctrine

Exodus 7–12

We can choose to soften our hearts.

• To help class members think about their willingness to yield their hearts to God, you could ask them to each read one of the following scripture passages: Exodus 7:14–25; 8:5–15; 8:16–19; 8:20–32; 9:1–7; 9:8–12; 9:22–26; 10:12–15; 10:21–29; 12:29–33. Then they could write on the board words or phrases that describe how Pharaoh responded to the ten plagues sent by God upon the Egyptians. (You may want to note that Joseph Smith Translation revisions show that Pharaoh hardened his own heart.) Why might Pharaoh have responded the way he did? Why is it sometimes difficult to yield our hearts and wills to God? How do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ help us overcome these difficulties?

• By bringing to class a hard object and a soft object, you could help class members understand what it means to have a hard or a soft heart. You could pass the two objects around the class, while someone reads one of the descriptions of Pharaoh’s heart found in Exodus 7–10 (such as Exodus 9:22–35). Why is “hard” a good description of Pharaoh’s heart? What do these verses teach about what it means to have a soft heart? (If it helps, class members could look for insights in one or more of these scriptures: 1 Nephi 2:16; Mosiah 3:19; Alma 24:7–8; 62:41; Ether 12:27.) How does the Savior help us soften our hearts? The video “A Change of Heart” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) could add to their understanding.

• To help class members think about why the Lord sent the plagues on Egypt, you could invite each class member to choose one reference from the following list and find possible reasons: Exodus 3:20; 7:5, 17; 9:14–16; 10:1–2. You could also invite class members to share how they have learned that “there is none like [Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ] in all the earth” (Exodus 9:14).

Exodus 12

The Passover and the sacrament teach about deliverance through Jesus Christ.

• Celebrating the Feast of the Passover helped the children of Israel remember that the Lord had delivered them from captivity. To help class members understand the symbolism of the Passover, you could create two columns on the board labeled Symbol and Possible Meaning, with a picture of Jesus Christ above the columns. Class members could study Exodus 12:1–13 and write on the board anything from these verses that could symbolize our deliverance through Jesus Christ. They could then discuss what these symbols teach us about the Savior’s Atonement (see the table in “Additional Resources” for a few ideas). The video “The Passover” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) can help them visualize what they read in Exodus 12.

  

  Like the Passover meal, the sacrament helps us remember our Deliverer, Jesus Christ.

• For some people, the sacrament is not always as spiritual as it could be. Consider how a discussion of Exodus 12 could help all class members find deeper meaning in the sacrament. For example, after class members review Exodus 12, you might invite them to share what Israelites from that time period might have said if a son or daughter had asked them what the Passover meant to them. Class members could then discuss what they could say if someone asked what the sacrament means to them, including any insights they gain from the Passover. You might give class members time to ponder what they can do to remember the Savior daily. The video “Always Remember Him” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) could help them.

Additional Resources

The Passover teaches about the Savior.

Symbol	Possible Meaning
Symbol The lamb (Exodus 12:3–5)	Possible Meaning Jesus Christ
Symbol Blood on the doorposts (Exodus 12:7)	Possible Meaning The atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who saves us
Symbol Eating the lamb (Exodus 12:8)	Possible Meaning Making the Savior part of our lives
Symbol Bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8)	Possible Meaning The bitterness of captivity (sin)

Improving Our Teaching

Listen. “Listening is an act of love. … Ask Heavenly Father to help you understand what your class members say. As you pay careful attention to their spoken and unspoken messages, you will come to better understand their needs, their concerns, and their desires” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 34).