“Lesson 15: Jesus Christ Used His Priesthood Power to Bless Others,” Primary 7: New Testament (1997), 50–53

“Lesson 15,” Primary 7: New Testament, 50–53

Lesson 15

Jesus Christ Used His Priesthood Power to Bless Others

Purpose

To help each child better understand the power of the priesthood.

Preparation

Prayerfully study Mark 4:35–41, 6:33–44, Luke 9:37–43, Matthew 14:23–33, Acts 10:38, and Doctrine and Covenants 13, 27:12, 124:123. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture accounts. (See “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)
Additional readings: Matthew 8:23–27; John 6:1–14, 16–21; and Gospel Principles, chapter 13.
Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
Materials needed:
1. A Bible or a New Testament for each child.
2. Pictures 7-15, Stilling the Storm (Gospel Art Picture Kit 214; 62139); 7-16, Feeding the Five Thousand (62143); and 7-17, Jesus Walking on the Water.

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Turn off the light in the room, or turn on a flashlight. Ask what is needed to make the light work. (Power.) Have the children tell you some of the things we use that need power to work. What other kinds of power are there? Tell the children that today they are going to learn about a power that is the greatest power of all, greater even than the forces of nature. It is the power of God. We call it the priesthood.

Alternate Attention Activity

Show the children a magnet and some pieces of metal. Let the children use the magnet to pull the pieces of metal across the table. If you do not have a magnet, blow up a balloon and rub it on clothing to make it cling to the wall or to one of the children. You could also have a child run a comb through his or her hair several times and then use it to pick up small pieces of paper.

What caused the magnet to attract the metal, the balloon to stick to the wall or clothing, or the comb to pick up the paper? (The magnet has power that causes the metal to be attracted to it. Static electricity holds the balloon to the wall or clothing and enables the comb to pick up the paper.)
What other powers can you think of? (Lightning, electricity, wind, and so on.)

Explain to the children that they are going to learn about a power that is the greatest power of all. It is the power of God, the priesthood.

Scripture Accounts and Discussion and Application Questions

Using the pictures at appropriate times, teach the accounts about Jesus using his power. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture accounts, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)

Stilling the Storm (Mark 4:35–41)
- How did Jesus’ disciples feel during the storm? (Mark 4:38.) Why did they think Jesus didn’t care about them? How do you know Heavenly Father cares about you?
- How did Jesus still the storm? (Mark 4:39.)
- What power did Jesus use to still the storm? (His power—the power of God.) What do we call the power and authority of God? (D&C 124:123. The priesthood.)
- After calming the storm, what did Jesus ask his disciples? (Mark 4:40.)
- How did the disciples feel about Jesus after he calmed the storm? (Matthew 8:27; Mark 4:41.)
Feeding the Five Thousand (Mark 6:33–44)
- Why do you think the people followed Jesus into the wilderness? (Mark 6:33.) What did Jesus do before he performed the miracle of feeding the five thousand? (Matthew 14:14.) What power did Jesus use to heal the sick? (The power of the priesthood.) Who is the source of the power that blesses our lives? (Acts 10:38.)
- What power did Jesus use to provide enough food for everyone? What was miraculous about the amount of food that was left? (Mark 6:42–44; John 6:12–13.)
Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit (Luke 9:37–43)
- What was wrong with the man’s son? (Luke 9:38–40.) What did the man ask Jesus to do?
- What was Jesus able to do for the boy? (Luke 9:42.) How did the people who were with Jesus react to this miracle? (Luke 9:43.)
- Who else had the man gone to for help? (Luke 9:40.) Why do you think the disciples couldn’t help the man and his son? Why did Jesus call his disciples “faithless”? (Luke 9:41.) Why do you think faith is necessary for the power of the priesthood to work?
Walking on the Water (Matthew 14:22–33)
- Through what power did Jesus walk on the water to the boat where his disciples were? What did the disciples think when they first saw him? (Matthew 14:26.) What did Jesus say to them? (Matthew 14:27.)

Summary Discussion and Application Questions

Explain that Jesus performed these four miracles through his power. He also performed many other miracles using the power of the priesthood. Jesus has shared his power with bearers of the priesthood today.

Peter, James, and John received the keys of the priesthood on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–9). These priesthood keys were given to Peter, James, and John so they would have the power of the priesthood when Jesus was gone. Peter was to be the President of the Church after Jesus was resurrected, and he needed the priesthood keys to carry on the work of the Church.

What priesthood keys did Moses and Elijah give to Peter, James, and John? (Moses gave them the priesthood keys of the gathering of Israel; Elijah gave them the keys of the sealing power [see D&C 110:12–16].)
How do we use the keys of gathering today? (Articles of Faith 1:10. Missionary work.) How can you participate in missionary work now, and how can you prepare to serve a full-time mission?
Where do we use the sealing keys today? (In the temple.) How can you prepare to go to the temple?

Explain that after the death of Jesus and the Apostles, the blessings of the Church and the priesthood were taken away from the people on earth. It was necessary for the priesthood to be restored to the earth. Jesus restored his church and the priesthood through Joseph Smith so that all of us could receive the blessings of the priesthood in our lives today.

Why is it important for the Church to have the priesthood today? What are the two priesthoods? How was the Aaronic Priesthood restored? (D&C 13.) How was the Melchizedek Priesthood restored? (D&C 27:12.)

Help the children understand that worthy boys can receive the same priesthood when they are twelve that John the Baptist restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Explain that when boys receive the Aaronic Priesthood, they are given the power to act in the name of God in blessing the members of their ward or branch. (See enrichment activity 5.)

What blessings do we receive through the power of the priesthood? (Naming and blessing of babies, baptism, confirmation, the sacrament, temple sealings, and so on.) What are some personal blessings we receive through the priesthood? (Blessings when sick, father’s blessings, home teachers.)
How has the priesthood blessed your life?

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

On folded pieces of paper write Baptism and Confirmation, Blessing the Sick, A Father’s Blessing, Temple Marriage, and The Sacrament. Place the slips in a box or envelope labeled “Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings.” Ask a child to take out a slip and read it to the class. Discuss the role of the priesthood in the blessing or ordinance. Repeat with the other slips. Ask the children to share experiences they have had with these ordinances and blessings.
Review the fifth article of faith, and help the children memorize it.
Sing or read the words to (Hymns, “Master, the Tempest Is Raging”)no. 105.
Show the videocassette “A Boy and the Power of God,” segment 3 of Primary Video Collection (53179).
Explain that when a boy in the Church turns twelve, he can, if he is worthy, receive the Aaronic Priesthood and be ordained to the office of a deacon. Prepare the following wordstrips:

Passes the sacrament

Collects fast offerings

Acts as the bishop’s messenger

Takes care of the Lord’s property

Ask the children to name the duties of a deacon. As the children give a correct answer, display the appropriate wordstrip. Help them identify all of the duties by giving hints if necessary.

Conclusion

Testimony

Bear your testimony of the power of the priesthood that Jesus had. Also bear testimony that worthy men and boys in the Church have the same priesthood power today and that certain blessings are available to us only through the priesthood.