John 1:1–51

Titles and Roles of Jesus Christ

The Apostle John identified many of the Savior’s roles and titles in the opening chapter of his account. This lesson will help you know Jesus Christ more deeply as you identify and learn about some of His titles and roles.

Focusing on the titles and roles of Jesus Christ. Teach students to identify the various titles of Jesus Christ found in the scriptures. Help them examine the meaning of the title, why it is used in that particular circumstance, and what the title helps us learn about Jesus Christ.

Student preparation: Invite students to ask their friends and family members which titles or roles of Jesus Christ are most meaningful to them and why.

Possible Learning Activities

Titles and roles

In 60 seconds, write down as many titles or roles for yourself as you can (for example, cousin, student, secretary in your Young Women class, and so forth).

Randomly select one title or role from your list, and imagine that it were the only thing someone knew about you.

• What other important information would they be missing if that were all they knew about you?

• How might your relationship be different with someone who understood each of your different titles and roles?

Consider inviting several students to turn in their lists. Select one list, and read aloud only one role or title from the page. See if students can guess which student it is describing. Then read the entire list aloud. See if the students want to change their answers after knowing many of this person’s different titles and roles.

Jesus Christ knows everything about you and loves you. Because each of us can only receive the gift of eternal life by coming to know Him (see John 17:3), He invites you to learn of Him as well. Each title and role of Jesus Christ in the scriptures teaches something unique and important about Him. John begins his Gospel by sharing many significant titles that can help us know the Savior more deeply.

Read John 1:29, and look for a title that is used to describe the Savior in this verse.

Consider starting a page in your study journal called “Titles and Roles of Jesus Christ” and writing “the Lamb of God.” (If you have already dedicated journal pages in a previous lesson to what you learn about Jesus Christ this year, consider starting this list on one of those pages.)

Consider starting a list on the board of the Savior’s titles and roles, similar to the one students are making in their journals. Add to the list on the board as additional titles and roles are identified throughout the lesson.

• What does this title teach you about Jesus Christ? What does it teach you about Heavenly Father?

One way to enhance our understanding of the Savior’s titles and roles is to study other scriptures or conference talks that further explain His titles and roles. The Guide to the Scriptures, Topical Guide, Bible Dictionary, and search functions on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and the Gospel Library app can help you in your study.

Search “Jesus Christ, Lamb of God” in the Guide to the Scriptures or Topical Guide, and read other scripture passages that teach you about the Savior and His mission through this sacred title John used.

• What insights did you gain about Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God?

After listening to responses to the previous question, determine if students would benefit from President Nelson’s explanation of this title, which is found in the “Commentary and Background Information” section of the lesson.

Consider inviting students to complete the following scripture search with a partner.

Read John 1:1–14, 41, 49, and continue to add to your journal page the titles and roles of Jesus Christ you find in these passages. You may also want to read Joseph Smith Translation, John 1:1–14 (in the Bible appendix).

Invite volunteers to share what they found with the class, and encourage students to add to their lists any titles or roles they missed.

• What other titles or roles of the Savior are you aware of that aren’t found in John 1?

• Which ones have special meaning to you? Why?

Learn of Christ

Explaining a concept in your own words can help you better understand it and can help you feel the Holy Ghost testify of the truths you are explaining.

Invite students to complete the following activity in their study journals. Consider displaying the following three questions for students to reference.

From the list in your study journal, choose a title or role of Jesus Christ that stands out to you, or choose a different one that you would like to learn more about. Imagine that you want to explain something about Jesus Christ to someone using the title or role you selected. Prepare what you would say to them in a paragraph of at least five sentences. Include at least two scripture references that you found helpful in your study. Consider using the Guide to the Scriptures, the Topical Guide, and other resources as well as the following questions to guide your response.

• What does this title or role teach you about Jesus Christ?

• Why is it important to you to understand the Savior better in this role?

• When have you seen the Savior act in this title or role in your life or in someone else’s life?

Consider inviting students to use the title or role they studied to teach a partner about Jesus Christ. Walk around the room and listen as students share with their peers.

Encourage the students to continue learning of the Savior through His titles and roles and sharing with the class what new insights they have about Him throughout the year.

Commentary and Background Information

What does it mean that Jesus Christ is the Word?

President Russell M. Nelson explained:

Under the direction of the Father, Jesus bore the responsibility of Creator. His title was “the Word.” … In the Greek language of the New Testament, that Word was Logos, or “expression.” It was another name for the Master. That terminology may seem strange, but it is appropriate. We use words to convey our expression to others. So Jesus was the Word, or expression, of His Father to the world.

(Russell M. Nelson, “Jesus the Christ: Our Master and More,” Ensign, Apr. 2000, 4)

Why would Jesus Christ be called the Lamb of God?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

The Old Testament has many references to atonement, which called for animal sacrifice. Not any animal would do. Special considerations included:

• the selection of a firstling of the flock, without blemish [see Leviticus 5:18; 27:26],

• the sacrifice of the animal’s life by the shedding of its blood [see Leviticus 9:18],

• death of the animal without breaking a bone [see Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12], and

• one animal could be sacrificed as a vicarious act for another [see Leviticus 16:10].

The Atonement of Christ fulfilled these prototypes of the Old Testament. He was the firstborn Lamb of God, without blemish. His sacrifice occurred by the shedding of blood. No bones of His body were broken—noteworthy in that both malefactors crucified with the Lord had their legs broken [see John 19:31–33]. And His was a vicarious sacrifice for others.

(Russell M. Nelson, “The Atonement,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 34–35)

John 1:14. Since we are all children of God, how is Jesus considered the Only Begotten of the Father?

Although each of our spirits is literally a son or daughter of God, Jesus Christ is the only child of God born in the flesh, meaning mortality. Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

That Child to be born of Mary was begotten of Elohim, the Eternal Father. … The Child Jesus was to inherit the physical, mental, and spiritual traits, tendencies, and powers that characterized His parents—one immortal and glorified—God, the other human—woman.

(James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ [1916], 81)

John 1:18. Does the statement in this verse mean that it is impossible to see God?

The Joseph Smith Translation of John 1:18 (see footnote c) clarifies that when Heavenly Father appears to His children, He bears witness of His Son, Jesus Christ. One example of this is found in Joseph Smith—History 1:17.

Supplemental Learning Activity

Other titles and roles of Jesus Christ

Invite students to search “Jesus Christ” in the Guide to the Scriptures or Topical Guide or to search “Christ, names of” in the Bible Dictionary, looking for additional titles and roles of Jesus Christ. If students first identify specific things in their life that they need the Savior’s help with, they could then be encouraged to search for His titles and roles that show His ability to meet their specific needs. For example, if a student is struggling to know how they can be forgiven of their sins, understanding Christ’s role as the Lamb of God will help them see that forgiveness is possible.