During His final evening with His disciples, Jesus Christ taught them about His nature and mission. He taught that He is the way back to Heavenly Father, and He compared His disciples’ relationship to Him to branches on a vine. This lesson can help you reflect on your relationship with Jesus Christ and on how you can follow Him and receive His strength and support.
Possible Learning Activities
Some of the Savior’s final teachings to His disciples were meant to help them understand their relationship with and dependence on Him. The Savior compared Himself to a pathway, as well as to a vine or tree with branches. Take a moment to think about areas in your life that you may need help with. Perhaps you feel like you need help as you strive to return to Heavenly Father. You might feel the need for greater strength to face challenges in your life. As you study the Savior’s teachings, look for what you learn about Him and how He can help you.
Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)
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road going through an aspen forest
Read John 14:1–6, looking for how the Savior promised to help those who follow Him.
What does each of these titles teach you about Jesus Christ and your relationship with Him?
If you created a list of the various titles and roles of Jesus Christ in a previous lesson, you may want to add to it what you discovered in John 14.
The Book of Mormon can increase your understanding of what you are studying in the New Testament. Read Mosiah 3:17, and think about how this verse helps us better understand John 14:6.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught:
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
God wants you to find your way back to Him, and the Savior is the way [see John 14:6]. God wants you to learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, and experience the profound peace and joy that come from following the path of divine discipleship.
When have you or someone you know experienced the profound peace and joy that come from following Jesus Christ?
To see an example of someone who found the Savior and was blessed by following Him, if possible, watch the video “Jesus Christ Is the Way” (5:02), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
What are some ways we can follow the Savior back to Heavenly Father?
Jesus Christ used a comparison to teach His disciples about their relationship with Him. Read John 15:1–11, looking for this comparison.
If you created a list of the various titles and roles of Jesus Christ in a previous lesson, you may want to add to it what you discovered in John 15.
What do you think Jesus Christ is teaching with this comparison?
What truths can you learn from this comparison about our relationship with Jesus Christ?
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that the Savior’s invitation to abide in Him is an invitation for us “to remain, to … stay forever” (“Abide in Me,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 32). Elder Holland explained why it is so important for us to accept the Savior’s invitation to abide in Him. You may want to watch the video “Abide in Me” from time code 13:26 to 14:23, or read the following statement.
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing” [John 15:5]. I testify that that is God’s truth. Christ is everything to us and we are to “abide” in Him permanently, unyieldingly, steadfastly, forever. For the fruit of the gospel to blossom and bless our lives, we must be firmly attached to Him, the Savior of us all, and to this His Church, which bears His holy name. He is the vine that is our true source of strength and the only source of eternal life. In Him we not only will endure but also will prevail and triumph in this holy cause that will never fail us.
(Jeffrey R. Holland, “Abide in Me,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 32)
The Book of Mormon can help you increase your understanding of what you are studying in the New Testament. Read Alma 26:12, and think about how it relates to John 15:1–11.
What are some of the fruits (results or blessings) you have seen in your life as you have tried to abide in Jesus Christ?
What are some actions you can take to help you abide in Jesus Christ?
If students taught one another, invite them to share with the class the truths they identified, what they learned from their classmates, and their testimony of Jesus Christ. Compliment students on their teaching, and encourage them to share with their families what they taught and learned.
Give students time to reflect on what they felt about how the Savior can help them with their current needs and circumstances. Consider bearing testimony of the Savior or sharing a personal experience.
Commentary and Background Information
What does it mean that there are many mansions in Heavenly Father’s house?
The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) taught:
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the Prophet Joseph Smith
[The statement] “In my Father’s house are many mansions” [John 14:2] … should be—“In my Father’s kingdom are many kingdoms,” in order that ye may be heirs of God and joint-heirs with me. … There are mansions for those who obey a celestial law, and there are other mansions for those who come short of the law, every man in his own order.
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 219)
Supplemental Learning Activities
Create a drawing
Some students express themselves through art. Consider inviting students to create a drawing that represents what they learned about Jesus Christ from John 14:1–6 or John 15:1–11 . If students teach one another, this drawing could be part of their lesson.
Video
To help students understand how they can see past false philosophies and see how Jesus Christ is the way, watch “The Way” by Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge of the Seventy from time code 6:46 to 11:56.
John 14:6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life”
Invite students to define how Jesus Christ is “the way,” “the truth,” or “the life.” They could find cross-references that explain these roles. Students could also share experiences of Jesus Christ fulfilling these roles in their lives.
Count the word abide
Help students see how the frequent use of words or phrases in a scripture block can emphasize an important message. The word abide is used numerous times in John 15:4–10. Invite students to count the number of times this word appears, to mark or make note of this word in their scriptures, and to think about what is communicated through its frequent repetition.
John 15:10. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love”
Draw a vine on the board, and ask students to draw branches attached to the vine to represent themselves. Invite students to make a list of commandments on the board around the vine. Discuss how keeping the commandments helps us abide in the Savior’s love and remain attached to the vine.