Lesson 139: Hebrews 12–13
Introduction
Paul
counseled the Jewish members of the Church to run the race of discipleship by
following the example of Jesus Christ. He also explained the blessings of
receiving the Lord’s chastisement. Paul exhorted the Saints to do the will of
God so they can be made perfect through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Note:
Lesson 140 provides an opportunity for two students to teach. Select two
students in advance and give them copies of the designated portions of
lesson 140 so they can prepare. Encourage them to study the lesson
material prayerfully and to seek the guidance of the Holy
Ghost in their preparation and teaching.
I. Hebrews 12
Paul
counsels the Saints to run the race of life with faith and patience
---On
the board, draw a simple line drawing of a runner. Ask the class to describe
what difficulties a runner might encounter as he or she runs a long-distance
race. (You could also ask if any students in the class have run long-distance
races and then ask a student who has what difficulties he or she has
experienced when running a long-distance race.)
- What can motivate a runner to keep running even when he or she faces fatigue or other difficulties?
- In what ways is life as a disciple of Jesus Christ like an endurance race?
- What difficulties might we face as disciples of Jesus Christ?
---Ask
students to think about what difficulties they face (or have faced) as
followers of Jesus Christ. Invite students to look for truths as they study Hebrews 12 that can help them to keep following
Jesus Christ even when it becomes difficult.
---Invite
a student to read Hebrews 12:1 aloud. Ask the class to follow
along, looking for what Paul told the Saints they needed to do to successfully
run the race of discipleship.
- What did Paul tell the Saints they needed to do to successfully run the race of discipleship?
---Invite
a student to the front of class, and give him or her a backpack to put on. Fill
the backpack with rocks, then ask students to explain how wearing a backpack
filled with rocks would affect a runner.
- In what ways are our sins like a backpack filled with rocks?
---Ask
the student to remove the backpack, and invite him or her to be seated.
- What does it mean to run the race of discipleship with patience?
---Invite
a student to read Hebrews 12:2–4 aloud. Ask the class to follow
along, looking for what Paul told the Saints to do that would help them put
aside their sins and patiently endure opposition. Explain that the word contradiction
in verse 3 refers to opposition (see verse 3, footnote a).
- Based on what Paul taught the Saints, what can help us put aside our sins and patiently endure opposition? (Students may use different words, but make sure they identify a principle similar to the following: As we look to the example of Jesus Christ, we can find strength to put aside our sins and patiently endure opposition.)
- According to verse 2, what did Jesus Christ do that Paul told the Saints to look to as an example?
---Display
the picture The Crucifixion (Gospel Art Book [2009],
no. 57; see also LDS.org), and explain that Paul told the Saints that
Jesus Christ was willing to suffer death on the cross and endure the shame of
the world because He knew the joy that He would receive if He remained faithful
to Heavenly Father.
- How do you think looking to the example of Jesus Christ can help us when we are faced with suffering and obstacles?
---Ask
students to think about their present challenges and how looking to the example
of Jesus Christ can help them with those challenges.
---Invite
a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder Jeffrey R.
Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Ask the class to listen for how
the example of Jesus Christ can help us put aside our sins and continue with
patience.
“For His Atonement to be infinite
and eternal, He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically but
spiritually, to sense what it was like to have the divine Spirit withdraw,
leaving one feeling totally, abjectly, hopelessly alone.
“But Jesus held on. He pressed on.
The goodness in Him allowed faith to triumph even in a state of complete
anguish. The trust He lived by told Him in spite of His feelings that divine
compassion is never absent, that God is always faithful, that He never flees
nor fails us”
(“None Were with Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May
2009, 88).
---Encourage
students to set aside time each day, perhaps as part of their scripture study,
to look to the example of Jesus Christ so they can find strength to put aside
their sins and patiently endure opposition.
---To
prepare students to identify another principle Paul taught in Hebrews 12, invite them to think about a
time when someone corrected them. Ask them to recall how they reacted to that
correction.
- Why can it be difficult to receive correction from someone?
- What are some reasons you think people might seek to correct us, especially when those people know we may not like their correction?
---Explain
that as we run the race of discipleship, we can expect to be chastened, or
corrected. Invite a student to read Hebrews 12:6–9 aloud. Ask the class to follow
along, looking for who will correct us and why. In this context, the word bastards
in verse 8 means those born out of wedlock, who
were not considered legal heirs.
Hebrews 12:9 is a scripture mastery passage.
Studying scripture mastery passages will help students increase their
understanding of basic doctrines and be prepared to teach them to others. You
may want to suggest that students mark scripture mastery passages in a
distinctive way so they will be able to locate them easily. Refer to the
teaching idea at the end of the lesson to help students with their mastery of
this passage.- Who will correct us as we run the race of discipleship?
- According to Paul, why does Heavenly Father chasten, or correct, us?
- In what ways is Heavenly Father’s chastening an indication of His love for His children?
---Invite
students to take 30 seconds to write in their class notebooks or scripture
study journals some of the ways Heavenly Father might correct us. Ask several
students to report to the class what they wrote. Make sure students understand
that although chastening can come in many ways, not every trial or suffering we
experience comes from God.
- In verse 9, what did Paul say we should do when Heavenly Father corrects and chastens us?
- What does it mean to “be in subjection,” or submit, to Heavenly Father? (To be humble, teachable, and willing to make changes in our lives to align with His will.)
---Write
the following incomplete phrase on the board:
If we submit to chastening from
Heavenly Father, we will …
---Explain
that in verse 10, Paul acknowledged that our earthly
fathers may sometimes chastise us in an imperfect way, but Heavenly Father’s
chastening is perfect and is designed for our benefit. Invite a student to read
Hebrews 12:10–11 aloud. Ask the class to follow
along, looking for what Paul taught will happen if we submit to chastening from
Heavenly Father. Explain that the phrase “partakers of his holiness” in verse 10 refers to becoming more like God.
- How do Paul’s words in verse 11 describe how we might initially feel when we are chastened?
- According to verses 10–11, what will happen if we submit to chastening from Heavenly Father? (After students respond, complete the statement on the board as follows: If we submit to chastening from Heavenly Father, we will become more like Him and have the peace that comes from righteousness.)
---Consider
sharing an experience of when you submitted to chastening from Heavenly Father
and felt blessed for doing so. (Be sure not to share anything that is too
sacred or personal.) Invite students to ponder a time when they felt they were
chastened by Heavenly Father. Ask them to think about how they responded to
that correction. Encourage students to decide now to submit to Heavenly
Father’s chastening that they may receive in the future.
---Summarize
Hebrews 12:12–29 by explaining that Paul
encouraged the Saints to strengthen other Church members in the faith. He
exhorted them to refrain from sin so that they would not forfeit God’s
blessings like Esau did and like the children of Israel did at Mount Sinai.
Paul explained that the Saints who remain faithful and serve God will receive
incomparable glory and a place in His kingdom.
II.
Hebrews 13
Paul
gives various counsel to the Saints
---Explain
that Paul concluded his letter to the Hebrew Saints by giving them counsel on
various subjects. Divide students into small groups of two or three. Invite
them to read Hebrews 13:1–9, 17 together, looking for the
counsel Paul gave the Saints. Instruct students to discuss the following
questions in their groups when they have finished reading. You may want to
write these questions on the board.
- Which counsel do you think is most needed in our day? Why?
---After
sufficient time, invite several students to report how they answered the
questions. Invite students to consider which portions of Paul’s counsel they
could better implement in their own lives.
---Summarize
Hebrews 13:10–12 by explaining that Paul taught
that in the time of the Old Testament, animals sacrificed as sin offerings were
burned outside the camp of Israel. Similarly, Jesus Christ was sacrificed
outside the city of Jerusalem. Explain that after Jesus Christ completed the
Atonement, animal sacrifices were no longer required (see 3 Nephi 9:18–20).
---Invite
a student to read Hebrews 13:13–16 aloud. Ask the class to follow
along, looking for what sacrifice Paul said the Saints should offer instead of
animals. Consider inviting students to mark what they find.
- What sacrifices did Paul say we should make?
- Why do you think such offerings will please God?
---Summarize
Hebrews 13:17–25 by explaining that Paul
counseled the Saints to obey their spiritual leaders and to pray for them. Paul
prayed that God would give the Saints everything necessary for them to
accomplish His will.
---You
may want to conclude by testifying of the truths students identified in Hebrews 12–13.
Scripture Mastery—Hebrews 12:9
Help
students memorize Hebrews 12:9 by inviting them to write the first
letter of each word of the verse on a piece of paper. Review the scripture
numerous times with your students until they can recite the verse using the
first letter of each word.
- •
What
doctrine can we learn from this verse about our relationship to our Heavenly
Father? (Students should identify the following doctrine: Heavenly Father is
the father of our spirits.)
- •
Why
is it important to believe that we are children of God?
---Testify
that we are literal children of God.
Commentary and Background Information
Hebrews
12:6–11. The Lord’s chastening
Elder
D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained
the following about the Lord’s chastening:
“Correction
is vital if we would conform our lives ‘unto a perfect man, [that is,] unto the
measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ’ (Ephesians 4:13). Paul said of divine correction
or chastening, ‘For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth’ (Hebrews 12:6). Though it is often difficult to
endure, truly we ought to rejoice that God considers us worth the time and
trouble to correct” (“As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten,” Ensign
or Liahona, May 2011, 97–98).
Hebrews
12:9. “The Father of spirits”
President
Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that the spirit
of each person is a child of Heavenly Father:
“You
are a child of God. He is the father of your spirit. Spiritually you are of
noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven. Fix that truth in your mind
and hold to it. However many generations in your mortal ancestry, no matter
what race or people you represent, the pedigree of your spirit can be written
on a single line. You are a child of God!” (“To Young Women and Men,” Ensign, May
1989, 54).
Elder
Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized the
importance of understanding that we are children of God:
“Consider
the power of the idea taught in our beloved song ‘I Am a Child of God’ (Hymns, 1985,
no. 301). … Here is the answer to one of life’s great questions, ‘Who am
I?’ I am a child of God with a spirit lineage to heavenly parents. That
parentage defines our eternal potential. That powerful idea is a potent
antidepressant. It can strengthen each of us to make righteous choices and to
seek the best that is within us. Establish in the mind of a young person the
powerful idea that he or she is a child of God and you have given self-respect
and motivation to move against the problems of life” (“Powerful Ideas,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 25).
Hebrews
12:23. “Church of the firstborn”
“Paul’s
teaching that redeemed Saints join the ‘church of the firstborn’ (Hebrews 12:23) is the only biblical occurrence of
this phrase. In latter-day revelations, the Prophet Joseph
Smith learned that the Church of the Firstborn refers to Christ’s
heavenly Church, which comprises faithful, exalted Saints in the celestial
kingdom (see D&C 76:54; 88:4–5). ‘Jesus was the firstborn of the spirit
children of our Heavenly Father, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, and
the first to rise from the dead in the resurrection (Col. 1:13–18). Faithful Saints become members of
the Church of the Firstborn in eternity (D&C 93:21–22)’ (Guide to the Scriptures, “Firstborn,” scriptures.lds.org)” (New Testament
Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 489). These Saints are “joint-heirs with Christ”
(Romans 8:17) and eventually inherit “all that
[the] Father hath” (D&C 84:38).
Supplemental Teaching Idea
Hebrews 12:6–11. Video
presentation—“The Will of God”
After
students are invited to ponder a time when they felt they were chastened by
Heavenly Father, consider showing the Mormon Messages video “The Will of God” (3:02) to help students feel
the importance of submitting to Heavenly Father’s chastening. Ask students to
look for why it is important to submit to Heavenly Father’s chastening. This
video is available on LDS.org.
- Based on what you learned from this video, why is it important to submit to Heavenly Father’s chastening?
- How can submitting to Heavenly Father’s chastening help us become what He desires us to become?
© 2016 by
Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Lesson 140: James 1
Introduction
James
wrote an epistle to the scattered house of Israel, encouraging them to be
patient in their afflictions and to seek wisdom from Heavenly Father. James
also taught them to resist temptation, to be doers of the word, to serve
others, and to stay spiritually clean.
I.
James 1:1–11
James
encourages scattered Israel to be patient in their afflictions and to seek
wisdom from God
---Before
class, write the following statement on the board: I wish I were wiser! As
class begins, ask students to consider the statement on the board. Invite them
to use their class notebooks or scripture study journals to write about topics
or personal situations they seek wisdom for. You might suggest that they
include gospel topics and pressing life questions in their lists. Ask a few
students to share some of the topics or questions they wrote down. (Remind them
not to share anything that is too private.)
---Display
the picture Joseph Smith Seeks Wisdom in the Bible (Gospel
Art Book [2009], no. 89; see also LDS.org).
- What pressing questions did Joseph Smith struggle with when he was young? (If students need help, refer them to Joseph Smith—History 1:9–10.)
---Explain
that Joseph was reading in the Epistle of James when he discovered how to find
answers to his questions. James was an Apostle of Jesus
Christ and a bishop in Jerusalem. Christian
tradition also holds that James was the son of Mary and Joseph and therefore a
half brother to Jesus.
----Invite
a student to read James 1:1–4 aloud. Ask the class to follow along,
looking for what James taught the house of Israel about their struggles and
afflictions. Point out that the Joseph Smith Translation of verse 2 (in James 1:2, footnote a) changes the phrase
“divers temptations” to “many afflictions.”
- What did James teach the house of Israel about their struggles and afflictions?
- Why is patience important to have during struggles and afflictions?
--Invite
a student to read James 1:5–6 aloud. Ask the class to follow along,
looking for what Joseph Smith discovered that helped him find answers to his
questions.
James 1:5–6 is a scripture mastery passage.
Studying scripture mastery passages will help students increase their
understanding of basic doctrines and be prepared to teach them to others. You
may want to suggest that students mark scripture mastery passages in a
distinctive way so they will be able to locate them easily. Refer to the
teaching idea at the end of the lesson to help students with their mastery of
this passage.- What did James advise his readers to do to find answers to their questions?
- What does it mean that God gives “liberally” and “upbraideth not”? (verse 5). (Liberally means freely and generously. Upbraideth means to rebuke or criticize.)
----Invite
a student to come to the board to write a principle we can learn from James 1:5–6. The student may use different words
but should identify a principle similar to the following: God generously gives
wisdom to those who ask of Him in faith.
- What does it mean to “ask in faith, nothing wavering”? (verse 6).
--Invite
a student to explain how James 1:5–6 affected young Joseph Smith as he
searched for answers (see Joseph Smith—History 1:12). Ask another student
to summarize the result of Joseph Smith’s faithful prayer in the grove of trees
near his home.
- When has Heavenly Father generously answered your prayers after you prayed to Him in faith?
---Testify
that God generously gives wisdom to those who ask of Him in faith. Invite
students to follow Joseph Smith’s example by applying this principle in their
lives so they can receive the wisdom they need from Heavenly Father.
---Summarize
James 1:7–11 by explaining that James warned
against being double-minded, or wavering in loyalty and commitment to the Lord.
James also wrote that the rich should become humble because earthly riches are
only temporary and will soon pass away.
Note:
Consider inviting two students to teach the following two scripture blocks. It
would be helpful to give this assignment to the student teachers a day or two
before this lesson so they can prepare. You could invite each student teacher
to teach the entire class. Or, you could divide the class in half, invite each
student teacher to teach his or her scripture block to one half of the class,
and then ask the student teachers (or the class) to rotate so they can teach
the other half of the class.
Student Teacher 1—James 1:12–21
James teaches about temptation
Ask
students:
- What temptations do youth today face? (You may want to list students’ answers on the board.)
- Why is it sometimes difficult to resist temptation?
Invite
a student to read James 1:12 aloud. Ask the class to follow along,
looking for the blessing promised to those who love the Lord and resist
temptation. Point out that the Joseph Smith Translation of this verse (in James 1:12, footnote b) changes “endureth
temptation” to “resisteth temptation.”
- What blessing will come to those who love the Lord and resist temptation? (After students respond, write the following principle on the board: We show our love for the Lord by resisting temptation, which is one of the requirements for receiving the crown of eternal life.)
Invite
a student to read James 1:13–16 aloud. Ask the class to follow
along, looking for where temptation does and does not come from.
- According to verse 13, who is not the source of our temptations?
Explain
that the term lust in verse 14 refers to unholy desires we may have
because of our fallen nature. Satan entices us to give in to these unholy
desires.
Invite
students to consider the temptations they struggle with.
- How can we gain spiritual power to resist temptation?
- In what ways is resisting temptation showing our love for the Lord?
Testify
of the truthfulness of the principle students identified in James 1:12. Invite them to ponder what they will
do to resist the temptations they struggle with.
Summarize
James 1:17–21 by explaining that James taught
that all good gifts come from God and that the Saints should give up “all
filthiness” and receive the Lord’s words “with meekness” (verse 21).
Student Teacher 2—James 1:22–25
James invites his readers to be hearers and doers of the
word
Invite
a student to read aloud the following account by Elder Quentin L. Cook of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“I
recently met a fine teenage young man. His goals were to go on a mission,
obtain an education, marry in the temple, and have a faithful happy family.
… I felt he genuinely wanted to go on a mission and was avoiding serious
transgressions that would prohibit a mission, but his day-to-day conduct was
not preparing him for the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and
spiritual challenges he would face. He had not learned to work hard. He was not
serious about school or seminary. He attended church, but he had not read the Book
of Mormon. He was spending a large amount of time on video games and
social media. He seemed to think that showing up for his mission would be
sufficient” (“Choose Wisely,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov.
2014, 47).
- If you had been in Elder Cook’s situation, what concerns might you have had with this young man’s lack of mission preparation?
Invite
a student to read James 1:22 aloud. Ask the class to follow along,
looking for what James taught that could help the young man described in Elder
Cook’s account.
- What did James teach that could help that young man?
Explain
that, as recorded in James 1:23–24, James likened someone who is a
hearer but not a doer to a man who sees himself in a mirror but then forgets
what he looks like as he goes his way.
Invite
a student to read James 1:25 aloud. Ask the class to follow along,
looking for what happens to those who choose to act on the truths they hear.
- What happens to those who are not only hearers but are also doers? (After students respond, write the following principle on the board: As we hear and act on the word of God, He will bless us in our deeds.)
Invite
students to assess themselves as hearers and doers of God’s word by pondering
the following questions. You may want to read these questions aloud or write
them on the board.
- How fully do I believe the truths I am learning in the scriptures, at home, at church, and at seminary?
- How often do I set spiritual goals to act on the truths I am learning? How often do I achieve them? How often do I forget them?
- What can I do better to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer?
Testify
of the blessings that come as we act on what we learn.
II.
James 1:26–27
James
counsels the Saints to care for others
---After
the two students have taught their scripture blocks, ask several other students
to summarize what they learned.
---Invite
a student to read James 1:26–27 aloud. Ask the class to follow
along, looking for James’s suggestions for how we can live our religion.
- According to James, what are some ways in which we can live our religion, or show our devotion to God?
---Explain
that James used the idea of “visit[ing] the fatherless and widows” in need as
one example of caring for others. To “keep [oneself] unspotted from the world”
(verse 27) means to remain spiritually clean,
even in a world where wickedness can be prominent.
- What truth can we learn from verse 27? (Students may use different words, but make sure they identify the following truth: We demonstrate pure religion when we care for others and keep ourselves spiritually clean. Write this truth on the board.)
- In what ways might caring for others and keeping ourselves spiritually clean be important expressions of our devotion to God?
- Whom do you know who is a good example of demonstrating “pure religion” in his or her daily life? What does this person do that inspires you?
---Invite
students to write on a piece of paper one or two deeds they will do during the
next week to care for someone in need or to keep themselves “unspotted from the
world.” Invite them to be doers of God’s words by applying this principle in
their lives.
Scripture Mastery—James 1:5–6
Explain
that memorizing James 1:5–6 will help students throughout their
lives as they have questions about the gospel, as they seek the Lord’s help in
making decisions, and as they teach the gospel to others.
Use
one of the memorization activities in the appendix, or develop one of your own
activities to help students memorize this passage. Remember to frequently
review memorized scripture mastery passages with students to help them retain
what they have learned. Consider planning moments in future lessons to review
this scripture and to invite students to recite it.
Commentary and Background Information
James
1:5. “If any of you lack wisdom”
Elder
Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the unique
significance of James 1:5 for Latter-day Saints:
“This
single verse of scripture has had a greater impact and a more far reaching
effect upon mankind than any other single sentence ever recorded by any prophet
in any age. It might well be said that the crowning act of the ministry of
James was not his martyrdom for the testimony of Jesus, but his recitation, as
guided by the Holy Ghost, of these simple words which led to
the opening of the heavens in modern times.
“And
it might well be added that every investigator of revealed truth stands, at
some time in the course of his search, in the place where Joseph
Smith stood. He must turn to the Almighty and gain wisdom from God
by revelation if he is to gain a place on that strait and narrow path which
leads to eternal life” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols.
[1965–73], 3:246–47).
Elder
M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized the
importance of asking of God in our day:
“Today
we live in a world in which people don’t ask of God—they seem to want to ask of
Google. Even when it comes to questions of faith, there are many who trust the
Internet to provide accurate, fair, and balanced answers to their questions
more than they trust the ultimate source of truth, our Heavenly Father. …
“… Today
the Internet is full of those lying in wait to deceive the uninformed and
inexperienced.
“In
our search for gospel truth, we not only need to find reliable sources but we
also need to give the Lord equal time in our daily pursuits. We need to study
the scriptures and the words of the Lord’s servants. We need to be living right
before God—we need to be doing His will [see John 7:16–17]. And we can never overstate the importance
of taking our spiritual concerns directly to God and trusting His inspiration
and guidance” (“Women of Dedication, Faith, Determination, and Action” [address
given at Brigham Young University Women’s Conference, May 1, 2015], ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference).
James
1:6. “Ask in faith”
Elder
David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained what it
means to ask in faith:
“The
classic example of asking in faith is Joseph Smith and the First Vision. As
young Joseph was seeking to know the truth about religion, he read [James 1:5–6]. …
“Please
notice the requirement to ask in faith, which I understand to mean the
necessity to not only express but to do, the dual obligation to both plead and
to perform, the requirement to communicate and to act” (“Ask in Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May
2008, 94).
James
1:14; 4:7–8. Resisting temptation
Elder
Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
“When
you have taken a determined stand for right, when you have established personal
standards and made covenants to keep them, when temptations come and you act
according to your standards, you will be reinforced and given strength beyond
your own capacity if that is needed. Difficulty comes when you enter the battle
of temptation without a fixed plan” (“Do What Is Right,” Ensign, June 1997, 53).
President
Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:
“If
you can control your thoughts, you can overcome habits, even degrading personal
habits. If you can learn to master them you will have a happy life. …
“Once
you learn to clear the stage of your mind from unworthy thoughts, keep it busy
with learning worthwhile things. Change your environment so that you have
things about you that will inspire good and uplifting thoughts. Keep busy with
things that are righteous” (“Inspiring Music—Worthy Thoughts,” Ensign, Jan.
1974, 28).
© 2016 by
Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment