Illustration of the empty tomb by Maryna Kriuchenko

April 11–17

Easter

“He Will Swallow Up Death in Victory”

As you prepare to teach on Easter Sunday, consider how you can help class members gain a deeper appreciation for and testimony of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice and Resurrection.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Perhaps you could invite class members to share what they or their family did to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement during this Easter season.

Teach the Doctrine

Because the Savior conquered death, we too shall live again.

• Since today is Easter Sunday, consider reviewing the scriptural account of the first Easter—the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (see John 20:1–17). You could invite a class member to tell the story in his or her own words. You could also show the video “He Is Risen” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Class members might also enjoy singing hymns about the Savior and reading related scriptures (references are listed at the bottom of each song in Hymns). Class members could then share favorite phrases from the hymns and their feelings about the Savior.

• To help your class appreciate how the Old Testament testifies of Jesus Christ, you could invite them to review the scriptures in the table in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families, as well as the Book of Mormon passages that accompany the table. What do we learn about the Savior and His mission from these passages? Why is it valuable to know about these prophecies?

We can find peace and joy through the Savior’s Atonement.

• This week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families includes a list of scriptures describing the peace and joy that come through Jesus Christ. If class members read these scriptures at home, encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about them. Or you could read a few scriptures as a class and talk about the peace and joy we feel because of the Savior and His Atonement. How can we share these blessings with people who may be struggling to find peace and joy in their lives? You could also invite a class member to read President Russell M. Nelson’s message “Joy and Spiritual Survival” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 81–84) during the week preceding class and to come to class prepared to share what this message teaches about finding joy in the Savior.

• You might feel inspired to lead a discussion about how to help others find peace and joy in Christ. You could invite class members to think about someone they know—perhaps someone they minister to—who might need their support, service, or even simply to hear their testimony of Christ and His Atonement. Encourage class members to refer to the scriptures (such as those in “Additional Resources”) as they consider service they might give or testimonies they might share to strengthen those around them. Invite a few class members to share their thoughts about serving as Jesus did.

Grey Day Golgotha, by J. Kirk Richards

Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ has power to help us overcome sin, death, trials, and weaknesses.

• One way to help class members ponder the blessings that come through the Savior’s Atonement could be to write on the board the headings Sin, Death, Trials, and Weaknesses. Each class member could read one of the scriptures listed in “Additional Resources” and ponder how the Savior helps us overcome the things written on the board. Class members could write their scripture references under one or more of the headings on the board and share their testimonies of the Savior and His Atonement.

• Stories and analogies can help us understand Jesus Christ’s Atonement. For instance, you could invite a class member to share one of the stories or analogies in Elder Walter F. González’s message “The Savior’s Touch” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 90–92) or Sister Neill F. Marriott’s message “Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 10–12). What do these stories and analogies teach us about Christ’s Atonement? Invite class members to work in pairs to think of their own stories or analogies.

• What do we learn from the following verses about the price Jesus Christ paid for our salvation: Isaiah 53:3–5; Mosiah 3:7; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19? What price did our Heavenly Father pay? (see John 3:16).

Additional Resources

Scriptures about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

• Isaiah 61:1–3

• Ezekiel 36:26–28

• Matthew 11:28–30

• Luke 1:46–55

• Romans 8:35–39

• Alma 7:10–13

• Alma 11:42–45

• Moroni 10:32–33

• Doctrine and Covenants 19:15–19

• Moses 5:9–12

Improving Our Teaching

Thank your learners. “Don’t become so absorbed with the lesson that you forget to thank learners for their contributions. They need to know that you appreciate their willingness to share their insights and testimonies” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 33).