Seminary
Matthew 4; Luke 4–5

Matthew 4; Luke 4–5

Overview

After the Savior was baptized, He went into the wilderness to be with God (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1 [in Matthew 4:1, footnote b]). Satan tempted Him, but He resisted the temptations. When Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John miraculously caught “a great multitude of fishes” after the Savior invited them to “let down [their] nets” (Luke 5:4, 6), they received a glimpse of what they could accomplish with the Savior’s help. These fishermen then chose to leave everything to follow Jesus Christ. Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a “ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1), came to the Savior at night to ask important questions about salvation.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson.

Matthew 4:1–11, Part 1

Lesson purpose: This lesson will help students identify principles to help them follow the example of the Savior in resisting the temptations of Satan.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to think about temptations they are facing and how the Savior can help them resist.

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Recreate in a word-processing document the chart at the end of the lesson, share your screen so your students can see it, and then fill it out together.

Matthew 4:1–11, Part 2

Lesson purpose: This lesson will help students follow Jesus Christ’s example and recall truths from the scriptures to help them resist temptation in their lives.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share one to two scripture passages they feel they could use to help them resist temptation. If they can’t find any, encourage them to ask parents, other family members, or Church leaders.

  • Doctrinal Mastery app: Invite students who have access to this mobile app to use it in the lesson.

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Use the chat feature to allow students to share scriptures that they feel would help them resist temptation. Consider saving the chat and sending the complete list of scriptures to students later.

Luke 5:1–11

Lesson purpose: This lesson will help students feel a desire to follow Jesus Christ so that He can help them accomplish far more than they could ever accomplish without Him.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to pray to know God’s purpose for their lives. Students who have a patriarchal blessing could read it looking for what God has revealed about their life’s purposes. Others might benefit from talking with their parents or looking for insights in the scriptures.

  • Images: Prepare to display images of individuals who achieved great things in life because God helped them understand their purpose (for example, Rebekah, Mary, or Joseph Smith).

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider displaying an image of the Savior calling Peter as a disciple while discussing Luke 5:1–11.

John 3:1–8

Lesson purpose: This lesson will help students understand and feel the importance of being born again “of water and of the Spirit” (John 3:5) to enter the kingdom of God.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to discuss changes they or others they know have made to become more like Jesus Christ.

  • Video: “A Change of Heart” (4:39; watch from time code 0:40 to 4:09), or an alternative video or story that illustrates how the Savior can help us change when we accept the ordinances of baptism and confirmation

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider inviting students to bring a family member or friend who has been changed by the Savior through accepting baptism and confirmation. If the person they chose cannot be present, students could show a photo of them and tell their story.

Doctrinal Mastery: John 3:5

Lesson purpose: This lesson will give students an opportunity to practice applying the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge using the doctrine that we must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share what they would teach a Primary class about John 3:5.

  • Materials: Writing materials for the memorization activity (if possible) or an electronic device with the Doctrinal Mastery app on it