Doctrinal Mastery: John 7:17

“If Any Man Will Do His Will, He Shall Know of the Doctrine”

During your study of John 7, you learned that Jesus invited us to do Heavenly Father’s will so that we can know His doctrine is true (see verse 17). This lesson will help you memorize this doctrinal mastery reference and its key scripture phrase, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in a real-life situation.

Student preparation: Invite students to think about various commandments, teachings, or doctrine of the Savior that teenagers should strive to have a testimony of.

Possible Learning Activities

This doctrinal mastery passage lesson is designed to be taught after the lesson “John 7,” which is the contextual lesson for the doctrinal mastery passage John 7:17. If this doctrinal mastery passage lesson needs to be moved to a different week, be sure to teach the corresponding contextual lesson during that week as well.

Memorize and explain

Provide an opportunity for students to memorize the reference for John 7:17 along with the key scripture phrase. One way to memorize as a class would be to write the scripture reference and key scripture phrase on the board as three separate parts. Divide the class into three groups, and assign each group a different part. Invite the groups to recite their parts in order and in unison. Consider assigning students different parts until they know the reference and key scripture phrase from memory. The Doctrinal Mastery app, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, could also be used to help students memorize.

• John 7:17

• “If any man will do his will,

• he shall know of the doctrine.”

Read the following statement by President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency.

We should remember that acquiring a testimony is not a passive thing but a process in which we are expected to do something.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Testimony,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 27)

• How do you think President Oaks’s statement relates to what the Savior taught in John 7:17?

Practice application

Divide the class into small groups. Invite each student to select one of the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge (see Doctrinal Mastery Core Document [2022], “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” paragraphs 5–12). Ask students to explain the principle to their group after briefly reviewing the principle.

Take a few minutes to review the principles in paragraphs 5–12 of the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2022). Choose one of the principles to study more closely.

• How would you briefly explain the principle you selected to someone who may be unfamiliar with it?

When you understand the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge, you can help yourself and others gain a testimony or face uncertainty. Use the following scenario to practice helping a friend.In a conversation with your friend Luis, he tells you that he doesn’t have a testimony of [choose a doctrine]. You remember what you learned from John 7:17, and with confidence you explain that he can receive a testimony of this doctrine by [explain what Luis could do to receive a testimony of this doctrine]. You can tell that Luis is frustrated as he tells you, “I’ve tried doing that a few times, but I still don’t feel like I know it is true.”

• What are some possible reasons why Luis might not feel like he has a testimony?

Using the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge, help Luis understand what obstacles he might need to overcome to gain a testimony. You could use the following questions or others you think of to prepare a response to help Luis.

Act in faith

• Why do you think it is important to continue to live the Savior’s teachings even if a testimony doesn’t come in the time we want it to?

• What experience could you share with Luis about the effort it takes to obtain a testimony?

Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective

• What do you think Heavenly Father might want someone like Luis to know about gaining a testimony?

• How might understanding that a testimony comes from Heavenly Father and not simply with time be something that could help Luis? (see Matthew 16:13–17).

Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources

• What are some divinely appointed sources that might help Luis turn to the Lord for help in gaining his testimony?

One example of using a divinely appointed source would be looking up President Dallin H. Oaks’s talk “Testimony,” available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and sharing a short statement from it that might help Luis.

Using the thoughts you had as you reflected on the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge, write a response to Luis. You may want to include a personal experience, your testimony, and an invitation for Luis to act in faith.

Consider inviting students to share their plans with fellow students or with the class. It may be helpful to share a personal experience of gaining a testimony of any of the Savior’s teachings.

Review

Help students review the reference and key scripture phrase for John 7:17. The following review activity should be used in a lesson that will be taught in the near future.

Write the scripture reference and key scripture phrase on the board in three lines, as explained in the “Memorize and explain” section earlier in the lesson. After inviting students to say each phrase, erase one of the lines and invite students to repeat each phrase. After a couple times, erase another phrase. Repeat the process until all three lines have been erased and students feel comfortable reciting all three lines.