“Lesson 26: Jesus Christ Will Rule as King of Kings and Judge the World,” Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel Teacher Manual (2015)
“Lesson 26,” Teacher Manual
Lesson 26
Jesus Christ Will Rule as King of Kings and Judge the World
Introduction
During the Millennium, Jesus Christ “will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts” (“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2000, 3). This lesson will help students understand that they need not wait until the Millennium to enjoy some of its blessings.
Background Reading
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Chapter 45, “The Millennium,” Gospel Principles [2009], 263–67.
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Chapter 46, “The Final Judgment,” Gospel Principles [2009], 268–74.
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If available: Chapter 37, “The Millennium and the Glorification of the Earth,” Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, 2nd ed. (Church Educational System manual, 2010), 104–6.
Suggestions for Teaching
Doctrine and Covenants 65:1–6
Jesus Christ will reign personally on the earth
Ask students to list on a sheet of paper things they regularly pray for or about. Invite a few students to share what they have written, if they feel comfortable doing so.
Invite a student to read aloud the section introduction for Doctrine and Covenants 65. (If students do not have access to the 2013 edition of the scriptures, explain that this section is a revelation on prayer given through the Prophet Joseph Smith.) Explain that in this revelation the Lord tells us something we should pray for, particularly as we witness the fulfillment of events prophesied to occur in the latter days.
Ask two students to take turns reading aloud from Doctrine and Covenants 65:1–2. Ask the class to follow along, looking for the Lord’s description of the spreading of the gospel. Then ask:
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How far will the gospel of Jesus Christ spread? (Students should identify the following doctrine: The gospel of Jesus Christ will go forth to the ends of the earth. Write this doctrine on the board.)
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According to verse 2, what is the stone that is cut out of the mountain without hands?
After students respond, read the following statement by President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985):
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints … is the kingdom, set up by the God of heaven, that would never be destroyed nor superseded. … In the early nineteenth century the day had come … [that] the Church was organized. Small it was, with only six members, compared to the stone cut out of the mountain without hands which would break in pieces other nations and which would roll forth and fill the whole earth. … Today the stone rolls forth to fill the earth” (“The Stone Cut without Hands,” Ensign, May 1976, 8, 9).
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What does it mean to you to be part of God’s kingdom on earth?
Invite a student to read Doctrine and Covenants 65:3–4 aloud. Invite another student to read verses 5–6 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for the Lord’s counsel on what we should pray for. Then discuss the following questions:
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According to these verses, what should we pray for as we prepare for the Second Coming? (As students respond to this question, you may want to invite them to compare verse 6 with the words of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:10.)
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What two kingdoms are referred to in verse 6? (The “kingdom of God” on earth [or the Church] and the “kingdom of heaven.”)
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What has the Lord commanded the “kingdom of God” on earth to do? (As students respond, emphasize the following doctrine: The kingdom of God on earth, or the Church of Jesus Christ, will spread across the world and prepare the inhabitants of the earth for the millennial reign of Christ.)
(Note: You may want to emphasize that during the Millennium, Jesus Christ will exercise political and ecclesiastical jurisdiction over all the earth. [If available, see Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, 2nd ed. (Church Educational System manual, 2001), 139–40.])
Copy the following chart on the board or provide it as a handout to each student (do not include the material in parentheses):
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Jesus Christ and the Millennium | ||
|---|---|---|
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What will Christ do during the Millennium? |
(He will rule the kingdom of God on earth. He will act as judge and lawgiver and will save us.) | |
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Where will Christ be during the Millennium? |
(He will dwell on earth in the midst of His people.) | |
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How will Christ reign during the Millennium? |
(Christ will be the king and lawgiver.) | |
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What effect will Christ’s reign have? |
(Peace, unity, and righteousness will be established on the earth. Satan will have no power over people’s hearts.) | |
(Note: You may want to explain that this activity will illustrate the value of sometimes studying the scriptures topically. When we study the scriptures topically, we can see details—such as patterns and themes—with greater clarity.)
Divide the class into groups of four students. Ask one student in each group to study the references and answer the question in the first row of the chart. Ask another student in the group to do the same with row two, and so forth. Instruct students to pay particular attention to words and phrases that help answer their assigned questions. You may want to suggest that students mark what they find. After sufficient time, invite students to discuss what they learned with the other members of their group.
(Note: If available during lesson preparation, consult the following manual for commentary on 1 Nephi 22:26: Book of Mormon Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2009], 48.)
Then ask the following questions:
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From what you discussed, what do you most look forward to about the Millennium? (After students respond, write the following doctrine on the board: The Savior will personally reign on the earth during the Millennium.)
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What are some ways we can allow the Savior to reign personally in our lives right now?
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How might our lives change if we were to allow Christ to reign in our lives?
Read aloud the following statement by President Spencer W. Kimball:
“When Satan is bound in a single home—when Satan is bound in a single life—the Millennium has already begun in that home, in that life” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 172).
Give students time to ponder what they will do to invite the Savior to reign personally in their lives and families.
John 5:22; Matthew 12:36–37; Revelation 20:12–13; Mosiah 4:30; Doctrine and Covenants 137:9
Jesus Christ will be our judge
Display the following scripture references, or write them on the board:
Ask students to imagine how they would respond if a friend asked the following questions: “Who will be our judge at the Judgment Day?” and “On what basis will we be judged?” Allow students several minutes to study the passages listed on the board and formulate an answer to this question. After a few minutes, invite students to discuss their answers with the person sitting next to them. Then ask the class:
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What have you learned about the Judgment Day? (Students should identify the following doctrine: Jesus Christ will be our judge.)
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On what basis will the Savior judge us? (Responses should include the following doctrine: The Savior will judge us according to our words, thoughts, and deeds, and the desires of our hearts.)
Read aloud the following statement by Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Our Master lived a perfect, sinless life and therefore was free from the demands of justice. He is perfect in every attribute, including love, compassion, patience, obedience, forgiveness, and humility. …
“I testify that with unimaginable suffering and agony at an incalculable price, the Savior earned His right to be our Redeemer, our Intermediary, our Final Judge” (“The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 42).
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How does the knowledge that Jesus Christ will be our “Final Judge” affect your feelings about the Final Judgment?
Encourage students to write the following question on a card or piece of paper and display it in a prominent place: How will I allow Jesus Christ to reign in my life today?
Student Readings
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Chapter 45, “The Millennium,” Gospel Principles [2009], 263–67.
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Chapter 46, “The Final Judgment,” Gospel Principles [2009], 268–74.