Assess Your Learning 11

1 Timothy–1 John

This lesson is intended to help you evaluate the goals you have set and the personal growth you have experienced during your study of the New Testament. 

Making learning personal. Help students reflect on their personal experiences relating to what is being taught. Provide time for them to ponder the blessings they have received by living the gospel of Jesus Christ and how they are becoming more like Him.

Student preparation: Invite students to ponder what they have learned about Jesus Christ and ways they feel they are becoming more Christlike.

Possible Learning Activities

Becoming more like Jesus Christ

This lesson is intended to help students think about how they are coming closer to Christ and becoming His disciple. As part of this, students will have an opportunity to assess (1) ways they are becoming more like Jesus Christ, (2) their ability to explain teachings in the New Testament, and (3) goals they have set. The following activities may be adapted to focus on truths that have been emphasized in recent classes.

One way to begin class could be to ask students to review their study journals and scriptures for notes and impressions they have recorded over the last few weeks. Invite students to share with each other what they have learned about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Help students reflect on the ways they are becoming more like Him.

In a previous lesson, becoming like Jesus Christ was compared to climbing a high mountain.

• What do you know about climbing a mountain that makes this a good analogy?

• What do you feel is challenging about becoming like Jesus Christ? Why is the challenge worth it to you?

If you have climbed a mountain before, think about how you felt when you reached the top. If you have not climbed a mountain before, imagine what this would feel like.

• How can keeping the end goal in mind motivate you during your spiritual climb?

If you completed the previous lesson on 2  Peter  1, look at the drawing of a mountain you created in your study journal. If you did not make a drawing of your own, look at the following drawing:

Take some time to think about the divine attributes listed on your drawing.

• Which of these attributes are you working to develop? How are you doing?

Reflect on your love for Jesus Christ and how you are coming to know Him better.

• What can you do to continue becoming more Christlike?

Teaching like Jesus Christ

Consider displaying some images around the classroom of the Savior teaching in different settings.

• What are some of the situations and settings the Savior taught in?

Teaching in the Savior’s Way points out:

Most of the Savior’s teaching did not happen in a synagogue but in informal, everyday settings—while eating a meal with His disciples, drawing water from a well, or walking past a fig tree.

(“Take Advantage of Spontaneous Teaching Moments,” Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2016], 16)

Think about opportunities you might have to teach a gospel principle or explain a belief to someone.

• When and where do you think you could share something you have recently learned or felt about the Savior?

The Apostle Peter taught us how to be like Jesus Christ when he wrote, “Be ready always to give … a reason of the hope that is in you” ( 1 Peter 3:15). As we practice explaining what we believe, we can be ready for teaching moments when and where they come.

Select one of the following topics you have studied in the last few weeks, and complete each of the steps that follow.

• The Atonement of Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 9:11–15, 24, 28; 10:10–17)

• Faith in Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 11; James 2:17–18)

• God is the Father of our spirits (see Hebrews 12:9; see also John 20:17; Acts 17:29; Romans 8:16–17)

1. Write down a realistic situation where you may, like the Savior, have a chance to teach someone or answer a question about this topic.

2. Write down a question someone might have related to this topic.

3. Plan how you would explain this topic and answer the question. Use at least one scripture in your explanation. (The scriptures listed in parentheses are provided to remind you of what you have likely already studied.)

Consider inviting a few students to role-play explaining a gospel truth. Encourage students to be confident and rely on the Spirit to help them remember what they know. Give students the chance to talk through what went well and what was difficult in the role play. Invite students to look for opportunities to practice teaching and thereby grow in their ability to share their beliefs with others.

My efforts to study the scriptures and pray

Hold up a Bible and display an image of Joseph Smith as a youth. Invite students to discuss the role of scripture study and prayer in receiving revelation. Consider asking the following question.

• What have you learned about scripture study and prayer from studying the New Testament or Joseph Smith’s experiences?

Write down what you are currently doing, trying to do, or want to do to improve your efforts to pray and study the scriptures. This may include a Children and Youth goal you set for yourself or one specific to seminary.

To help you visualize your progress on this goal, draw the following diagram in your study journal. Add one of the following headers above each of the four parts of your diagram: Lessons; Blessings; Obstacles; Future Growth. Under the appropriate headers, write your answers to each of the following questions to help you evaluate your progress and continue to improve.

• What lessons have I been learning through prayer and studying the scriptures?

• What blessings or answers have I recognized?

• Do I face any obstacles to achieving my scripture study goal? If so, how can I turn to the Lord to overcome them?

• What future growth would I like to see in my prayers and scripture study?

If you do not already have a goal in this area, you may want to come up with one now and evaluate it over the next few weeks and months. Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to know how your efforts to pray and study the scriptures please the Lord. Also seek to know any changes you may need to make to experience the blessings and receive the answers the Lord wants to give you.

If students are comfortable, invite volunteers to share the diagram they created in their journal and the progress they are noticing. Help students recognize even the slightest growth, and encourage them to continue to study the scriptures and pray to their Heavenly Father for revelation.