Lesson 9 Teacher Material

Rejoicing in the Divine Birth of Jesus Christ

As declared by an angel, the birth of Jesus Christ was reason for “great joy” (Luke 2:10). During this class, students will have the opportunity to explain why Jesus Christ’s unique parentage was essential to Him becoming our Savior. Students will also be invited to share their feelings about the divine love manifested by the condescension of God and how that love can impact the choices they make.

Suggestions for Teaching

Mary learns she will be the mother of the Son of God.

Draw the following diagram on the board, and invite some students to share traits they inherited from their parents.

Invite students to review Luke 1:30–35 and look for how the angel Gabriel described the son Mary would bear.

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Avoid speculation. Refrain from discussing with students doctrinal topics that the prophets and apostles have not chosen to teach or about which they have not made an official statement. For example, Church leaders have cautioned against speculating about how the Savior was conceived (see The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. Williams [1996], 14). In such circumstances, it is OK to simply acknowledge that we don’t know or that that information has not been revealed. Focus on what we do know and what the Holy Ghost can confirm as truth in the hearts of students.

Draw the accompanying diagram on the board.

To help students think about the significance of Jesus Christ’s unique parentage, consider asking some of the following questions:

• What unique traits did Jesus Christ inherit from Mary? from Heavenly Father?

• How does the unique parentage of Jesus Christ relate to His Atonement and Resurrection? (As part of the discussion, you could review with students John 10:17–18 and the statement by President Russell M. Nelson in section 1 of the preparation material. Help students identify a truth like the following: Because of His unique parentage, Jesus Christ had power to atone for our sins and to lay down His life and take it up again.)

To help students think more deeply about this doctrine, you could invite them to record their thoughts and impressions about these questions:

• What can this dual nature of Jesus Christ teach you about His ability to relate to you in mortality?

• How do the phrases in this sentence from “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” (available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org) relate to each other and to you: “[Jesus Christ] was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world”?

Nephi saw in vision the condescension of God.

Consider displaying the following pictures of Jesus as Creator of the world, as a helpless baby, and as a solitary figure on the cross. Ask students what these images teach about the condescension of Jesus Christ. If needed, read the definition of condescension found in section 2 of the preparation material.

To continue this discussion, you could arrange students in small groups and provide each group with a copy of the following handout.

The Condescension of God

Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 9

Divide the following reading assignments among your group. As you read, look for how the Lord voluntarily descended from a higher position to a lower status.

1. Abraham 3:24–25, 27; Philippians 2:7–8

2. 1 Nephi 11:14–22

3. 1 Nephi 11:26–27, 31–33

4. The statements by President Tad R. Callister and Elder D. Todd Christofferson in section 2 of the preparation material and the following statement by Sister Wendy Ulrich, former member of the Relief Society general advisory council:

[The Savior] was born as a helpless infant in a mortal body and raised by imperfect [parents]. He had to learn how to walk, talk, work, and get along with others. He got hungry and tired, felt human emotions, and could get ill, suffer, bleed, and die. (“It Isn’t a Sin to Be Weak,” Ensign, Apr. 2015, 33)

Then discuss together the following questions:

• What do these readings teach us about the condescension of Jesus Christ?

• What does the condescension of Jesus Christ teach us about our Savior’s and our Heavenly Father’s love for us? How does Their love for you affect your love for Them?

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The Condescension of God

Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 9

After sufficient time for discussion, you could display and share your feelings about the following statement: The condescension of Jesus Christ demonstrates the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for each of us.

• What can we learn from the Savior through His example in condescending to help the least of us? (If needed, students could review Bishop Richard C. Edgley’s statement in section 2 of the preparation material. Students could also ponder for a minute how they might follow the Savior’s example as they seek to minister to and serve all of Heavenly Father’s children.)

Remind students that in section 2 of the preparation material, they were invited to read or listen to the lyrics of hymns that speak of the condescension of the Savior. Students could review one of the hymns and then share with the class words and phrases from the hymn that most impressed them. If time permits, you may also want to sing together a verse or two from these hymns.

To help students apply what they have learned and felt during class, invite them to ponder and record their responses to the following question or one of your own choosing:

• What can you do to show the Savior your gratitude for His willingness to condescend so He could redeem and save you?

For Next Time

To remind students to study the preparation material for the next class, consider sending the following message or one of you own: What priority has the Savior had in your life this week? Consider how the preparation material for lesson 10 can help you answer this question.