After Jesus taught that He was the Bread of Life (see John 6:35), many did not understand and chose to stop following Him. When Jesus asked the Twelve Apostles if they would also go away, Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). This lesson can help you strengthen and remain true to your commitment to follow Jesus Christ, even when others may not choose to follow Him.
Helping struggling students. Some students in class may be personally struggling with their faith. Remember the words of President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “My heartfelt plea is that we will encourage, accept, understand, and love those who are struggling with their faith. We must never neglect any of our brothers and sisters. We are all at different places on the path, and we need to minister to one another accordingly” (“To Whom Shall We Go?,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 92).
Student preparation: Invite students to reflect on blessings that they have received because of their membership and participation in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Possible Learning Activities
Reactions to the Savior’s teachings
Be sensitive to students who may be troubled or hurt by the decision others have made to stop participating in the Church. A few students may be willing to share their scenarios with the class.
Create a scenario, real or fictitious, of a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has decided to no longer follow the teachings of the Savior. It may be helpful to fill in the blanks in the following scenario:
[Name and their relation to you] has decided to stop participating in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When you ask them their reasons for no longer participating, they say, “[Reason for no longer participating in the Church].” As you think about their response, you feel [describe your feelings].
The truths highlighted in this lesson can help you remain true when those you love may walk away from the Savior’s Church. These truths can also help you if you are trying to decide how much you want to participate in the Church. Open your heart to the inspiration the Lord wants to bless you with.
Encourage students to think about the following self-assessment.
Take a moment to reflect on which of the following statements, if any, pertain to you:
When I see others lose their faith in Jesus Christ and His Church, it affects my faith.
Though my heart may hurt, my faith remains steady when others around me lose their faith in Jesus Christ and His Church.
I am not bothered when someone leaves the Church if it makes them happy.
I have made the decision that I will remain a faithful member of the Church.
I am still deciding if I want to be a faithful member of the Church.
In John 6:26–58, Jesus taught that He was the Bread of Life that came down from heaven and that those who would eat of His flesh and drink of His blood would have eternal life.
Read John 6:60–66, looking for how some of the people responded to the Lord’s teachings.
Why do you think people struggled to receive these new teachings from Jesus?
What are some of the Savior’s teachings in our day that are hard for some to accept?
What do you think are a few reasons why some people in our day choose to distance themselves from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love everyone—including those who have chosen to walk away from the Church. We can continue to love and try to understand those who have left. Just because someone has made a choice to leave does not mean that they are bad people or that they will always be miserable because they left. Nor does it mean that they will not choose to return to the Church in the future. The Lord can inspire you with what to say to and do for those who have walked away.
“Will ye also go away?”
Read John 6:67, and notice the question Jesus asked His Apostles.
President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught how the Savior’s question pertains to us.
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President M. Russell Ballard
In the end, each one of us must respond to the Savior’s question: “Will ye also go away?” [John 6:67]. We all have to search for our own answer to that question. For some, the answer is easy; for others, it is difficult.
Read John 6:68–69, looking for Peter’s response to the Savior’s question.
Why do you think Peter was able to respond the way he did?
Students may benefit from reading Peter’s testimony in the doctrinal mastery passage Matthew 16:15–19.
What can we do to follow Peter’s example?
Students may give a variety of answers, including the following: we can choose to believe in Jesus Christ and remain with Him regardless of what others choose.
Speaking of the choice the Twelve Apostles made, President M. Russell Ballard taught:
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President M. Russell Ballard
In that moment, when others focused on what they could not accept, the Apostles chose to focus on what they did believe and know, and as a result, they remained with Christ.
Peter declared that the Savior had “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). What are some teachings of Jesus Christ that you know are true?
What are some blessings that you have been given because of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Consider making a list on the board of responses to the previous questions.
President M. Russell Ballard spoke to individuals who may be considering leaving the Savior’s Church. Watch “To Whom Shall We Go?,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 5:35 to 8:16. As you listen to President Ballard, pay attention to the questions he asks.
What thoughts did you have as you listened to President Ballard?
What experiences have you had that help you believe in Jesus Christ and join or stay in His Church?
How can remembering these experiences help you when your faith is tested?
Consider sharing a testimony of the Savior and one or two personal reasons for being a member of His Church.
If you are struggling with your faith, remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. You can always pray to your Heavenly Father for help. You can also talk to your parents, Church leaders, or seminary teacher about questions and concerns you have.
Consider displaying the following questions and inviting students to answer two or more in their study journals.
How would you respond if the Lord were to ask you, “Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67).
What can you do to obtain and strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ and His Church?
What do you want to remember when someone you love may decide to walk away from the Savior’s Church?
What would you say to someone who is hurting because people they care about have decided to walk away from the Savior’s Church?
Commentary and Background Information
John 6:67–69. What did Peter and the Twelve understand that helped them remain faithful followers of Jesus Christ?
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote:
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson
I don’t know if, at that moment, Peter and his Brethren understood what the Lord was teaching any better than the disciples who were now abandoning the Master, but Peter did know by the certain witness of the Spirit that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God (see also Matthew 16:15–17), and that salvation could be found nowhere else. He was therefore fully committed to follow Jesus regardless. If he had questions, they could be resolved in due course, but he would not be dissuaded from loyalty to the Son of God—setting a wonderful example for us all.
How do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ feel about those who leave?
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:
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President Henry B. Eyring
From before the world was, a loving Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son loved and worked with those who They knew would wander. God will love them forever.
What can I do for those who are less active or who have left the Church?
President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
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President M. Russell Ballard
My answer is please do not preach to them! Your family members or friends already know the Church’s teachings. They don’t need another lecture! What they need—what we all need—is love and understanding, not judging. Share your positive experiences of living the gospel. The most powerful thing you can do is share your spiritual experiences with family and friends. Also, be genuinely interested in their lives, their successes, and their challenges. Always be warm, gentle, loving, and kind.
(M. Russell Ballard, “Questions and Answers” [Brigham Young University devotional, Nov. 14, 2017], 5, speeches.byu.edu)
Supplemental Learning Activities
Answers to our questions will come in the Lord’s time
Many of the disciples murmured because they did not understand what the Savior meant when He talked about eating His flesh and drinking His blood (see John 6:51–61). His Apostles might not have understood either. However, they chose to trust in what they knew and believed.
Discuss how this example can help students when they may not have all the answers to their questions.
Consider reading Luke 22:19–20 and then discussing how learning about the sacrament may have helped the Apostles understand the Lord’s teachings in John 6:51–61. (It may be helpful to point out that Luke 22:19–20 is a doctrinal mastery passage.)
The choice to believe
If some students may be struggling with the decision of whether to remain with or to leave the Church, consider watching “To Whom Shall We Go?” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org from time code 2:46 to 5:35. Students could then discuss ways to apply President M. Russell Ballard’s counsel.
The choice to be offended
Some of the Savior’s disciples were offended by His doctrine (see John 6:60–61). Consider discussing with students reasons why some people in our day become offended and what they can do to choose not to take offense. Excerpts from the following talks may be helpful:
