Week 5 Teacher Material

Our Savior Jesus Christ

In this lesson students will consider how increasing their gratitude for Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice can increase their desire to repent of their sins. Students will also be able to explain how the Savior’s sinless life satisfied the demands of justice so we can repent. Students will identify reasons we should glorify Jesus Christ, and they will have the opportunity to express why we should anticipate the Second Coming with joy.

Ideas for Teaching

Chapter 8, Part 1

As we better understand and feel gratitude for Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, our love for Him and our desire to repent will grow.

• You might begin class by showing a picture of Pontius Pilate presenting Jesus Christ to the multitude in Jerusalem. Invite students to explain the context of this scene and then read Matthew 27:22 together, looking for the question Pilate asked the multitude. Give students a minute to ask this question of themselves and consider their own thoughts and feelings.

• Or you could begin class by inviting students to share anything they read in chapter 8 about Jesus Christ that influenced their desire to repent. You could then invite a student to read the third paragraph of chapter 8 (which begins “I believe in Jesus Christ …”). Ask students what most impresses them about Elder Andersen’s testimony.

• You could invite students to review the eighth paragraph of the chapter (which begins “As we deeply …”) and help them identify a principle like the one in the section heading above.

• You could invite students to discuss the following questions (it might be helpful to display the questions so students can read them):

  • How can deepening our understanding of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice influence our feelings for Him? Why do you think this can increase our desire to repent?

  • In the past, what have you done to deepen your understanding of and gratitude for the Savior’s sacrifice? (Or what could you do now?)

Because Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, He was able to satisfy the demands of justice.

• If students did not watch the video before class, you could introduce the rest of the chapter by showing “Building a Sure Foundation on Jesus Christ” (2:47).

• Consider reading the first two paragraphs of the section titled “His Sinless Life,” and invite students to look for what the Savior was able to do because He never sinned. Students may identify a truth similar to the one shared in the section heading above.

• You might discuss the following question with the class:

  • Why did the Savior have to live a sinless life to satisfy the demands of justice?

• You might also read Mosiah 15:8–9 and Alma 34:16 as a class and talk about what these verses add to our understanding of this truth.

• Consider reviewing the third paragraph of the section “His Sinless Life” (which begins “C. S. Lewis expressed …”) and discussing the following questions:

  • Why is it important to know that Jesus was tempted in every way but did not sin?

  • What does this teach you about the character of Jesus Christ?

Because Jesus Christ took upon Himself our sins, sorrows, and sufferings, He understands us completely.

• You might invite students to read the third and fourth paragraphs of the section titled “Gethsemane” (which begin “Arriving at Gethsemane …”). Help students identify a truth similar to the one above.

• Consider reading Alma 7:11–13 to understand this truth better. You could also ask students to share how they have been blessed by knowing that the Savior understands everything they have suffered and are suffering.

Chapter 8, Part 2

The Savior’s Atonement began in Gethsemane, continued on the cross, and concluded with the Resurrection.

• Consider displaying pictures of Jesus Christ in Gethsemane, on the cross, and at the garden tomb. Ask students where the Lord’s Atonement took place.

• You might review together all or select portions of the first three paragraphs of the section “Crucifixion and the Cross” and help students identify a truth similar to the statement in the section heading above.

• Consider discussing one or both of the following questions (these could be discussed in small groups):

  • Why might it be significant that the Savior most often “refers to His Crucifixion when speaking of His perfect Atonement”? (paragraph 3 from the section “Crucifixion and the Cross”).

  • What do you learn about (or learn from) the Savior as you think about His atoning hours?

• You may want to have students (perhaps in their small groups) read Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s statement in the last two paragraphs of the section “Crucifixion and the Cross.” You might then give a few minutes for students to express their gratitude and feelings about the Savior’s atoning sacrifice. (If no students volunteer, you could share your own thoughts and feelings on this topic.)

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ redeems all of God’s children from death and brings us back into God’s presence.

• Consider posing this question to the class: What truths about the Savior’s Resurrection increase your desire to repent? As needed, help students identify and understand the truths mentioned in the first four paragraphs of the section titled “His Death and Resurrection.” One truth students might identify could be similar to the one found in the section heading above. To understand this truth better, you could read and discuss Helaman 14:15–17.

• You might also ask this question: What truths about the Savior’s Second Coming increase your desire to repent? You could use passages from the last section of the chapter (see “His Promised Return”) to enhance the discussion.

• You may want to conclude this lesson by sharing or inviting students to share testimony of Jesus Christ’s life and Atonement.

For Next Time

Encourage students to consider the following questions in preparation for next week:

• What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ? What does faith in Jesus Christ have to do with repentance and forgiveness?

• How can I increase my faith and capacity to repent and feel forgiven?