REL 250 - Jesus Christ And His Everlasting Gospel - Week 01-A

Jesus Christ & His Everlasting Gospel (REL 250)

Class Preparation Material

The Living Christ: The Testimony Of The Apostles

“None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth”

IMAGINE:

Imagine you lived in Palestine during the time of the Lord’s ministry. You have heard many amazing things about a teacher called Jesus of Nazareth and have a strong desire to go and hear Him for yourself.

IMAGINE:

The day you find Him, Jesus is teaching a large group of people. He declares the greatness of John the Baptist and rebukes people for their unbelief. He then makes a potentially life-changing invitation.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

TODAY:

Jesus Christ has extended a similar invitation in our day. After testifying of the incomprehensible price He paid to atone for our sins so we could repent, the Savior said,

Doctrine and Covenants 19:23

23 Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.

Open Ended

PONDER: How can this invitation change your life? = OR =

How did this invitation change your life?

The Savior’s invitation to “learn of me” has two interrelated meanings that correspond in a beautiful way to the Lord’s way to learn deeply.

The first meaning of “learn of me” is: Learn to know me.

… To know Him is to be spiritually born of Him, experiencing a mighty change of heart, becoming His sons and daughters. …

The second meaning of “learn of me” is: Learn from me.

… As we immerse ourselves in the scriptures, we learn from His perfect example. … We must act with faith in Jesus Christ to do our part, but as we do, … He promises to magnify our capacity for righteous action and help us become more like Him.

Referring to this invitation, Elder Kim B. Clark of the Seventy taught:

GOOD NEWS!

One vital way to learn of the Savior is to study and live His everlasting gospel. “The word gospel means ‘good news’” (Bible Dictionary, “Gospels”). So what is the good news of the gospel?

Open Ended

Read 3 Nephi 27:13–16, 20–21, and look for reasons why the gospel is good news.

Open Ended

Think about your current understanding and testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. What goals would you like to set to learn more of Him and His gospel?

Open Ended

What could you do to increase His influence in your life? Consider writing your goals down and regularly reviewing them in the coming weeks.

The Ability To Learn

Secular knowledge focuses on worldly matters that are not considered religious or spiritual. For example, scientific learning produces secular knowledge.
This knowledge is important and has led to remarkable developments in technology, medicine, agriculture, transportation, and communication. Along with this secular learning is an even deeper, spiritual way to learn truth.

Learning spiritual things … requires a different approach than learning scientific things. The scientific method and intellect are very helpful, but they alone will never bring spiritual knowledge. Learning spiritual things involves the intellect, but that is not enough. We only learn spiritual things by the Spirit.

Elder Paul V. Johnson

Open Ended

Think of people in the scriptures or people you know who exemplify the principle of learning by faith. List a few examples so you are prepared to share in class.