Lesson 8: The Sermon on the Mount: “A More Excellent Way”

The purpose of this weeks lesson is to encourage us to come unto Christ by applying the principles he taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

For some background information on the 2nd year of Christ's public ministry check out Section 3 of the New Testament Institute Manual.

For more details on Christ's teachings of how to be perfect -found in the Sermon on the Mount - consider taking a look at Chapter 8 in the Institute Manual.

Have a great week. We'll see you in class on Sunday - 11:15 am.

"Lesson 8: The Sermon on the Mount: “A More Excellent Way”," New Testament Class Member Study Guide, (1997)

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Matthew 5

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  How can Latter-day Saints be “the light of the world”? (Matthew 5:14; see also verse Matthew 5:16).

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  How are the Savior’s teachings in Matthew 5:22–24, 28, 34–37, 39–40, and Matthew 5:44–48 higher laws than the laws mentioned inMatthew 5:21, 27, 33, 38, and Matthew 5:43?

• •

  How do the teachings in the Sermon on the Mount help us “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him”? (Moroni 10:32).

Suggestion for Family Discussion

On a chalkboard, poster board, or piece of paper, write the following statement (or another statement that might be more applicable to family members): The teachings in the Sermon on the Mount can help me at school. Ask family members to read a few passages in Matthew 5 and discuss how those passages relate to the statement you have written.

Scripture Chain: Perfection through the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Matthew 5:48

Ether 12:27

Moroni 10:32–33

D&C 76:68–70

GREAT MIRACLES ARE STILL BEING PERFORMED TODAY

From the Institute Manual

(6-10) Physical Healings Are Performed Today Among Humble People of Faith

“May I impose upon you for a moment to express appreciation for something that happened to me some time ago, years ago. I was suffering from an ulcer condition that was becoming worse and worse. We had been touring a mission; my wife, Joan, and I were impressed the next morning that we should get home as quickly as possibly, although we had planned to stay for some other meetings.

“On the way across the country, we were sitting in the forward section of the airplane. Some of our Church members were in the next section. As we approached a certain point en route, someone laid his hand upon my head. I looked up: I could see no one. That happened again before we arrived home, again with the same experience. Who it was, by what means or what medium, I may never know, except I knew that I was receiving a blessing that I came a few hours later to know I needed most desperately.

“As soon as we arrived home, my wife very anxiously called the doctor. It was now about 11 o’clock at night. He called me to come to the telephone, and he asked me how I was; and I said, ‘Well, I am very tired. I think I will be all right.’ But shortly thereafter, there came massive hemorrhages which, had they occurred while we were in flight, I wouldn’t be here today talking about it.

“I know that there are powers divine that reach out when all other help is not available. We see that manifest down in the countries we speak of as the underprivileged countries where there is little medical aid and perhaps no hospitals.If you want to hear of great miracles among these humble people with simple faith, you will see it among them when they are left to themselves. Yes, I know that there are such powers.” ( Harold B. Lee, “Stand Ye in Holy Places,” Ensign, July 1973, p. 123 . Italics added.)

Sometimes members of the Church are dismayed because it seems to them there are not many miracles such as healings, speaking in tongues, and visions manifest in the Church. While it is true that these types of manifestations are happening, why do we not hear more about them? Can you see why, in most cases, they are done privately? In spite of this, why do you think some of Jesus’ miracles were done openly? Do you think that some were done to bear witness of him? What miracles are being performed today that bear witness of his divinity?

(6-11) The Greatest Miracles Today Are the Healing of Sick Souls

“The great call has come now in the sermons of the brethren to aid those who are in need of aid, not just temporal aid, but spiritual aid. The greatest miracles I see today are not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls, those who are sick in soul and spirit and are downhearted and distraught, on the verge of nervous breakdowns. We are reaching out to all such, because they are precious in the sight of the Lord, and we want no one to feel that they are forgotten. . . .

“You cannot lift another soul until you are standing on higher ground than he is. You must be sure, if you would rescue the man, that you yourself are setting the example of what you would have him be. You cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own soul . You teachers, the testimony that you bear, the spirit with which you teach and with which you lead, is one of the most important assets that you can have, as you help to strengthen those who need so much, wherein you have so much to give. Who of us, in whatever station we may have been in have not needed strengthening?” (Lee, “Stand Ye in Holy Places,” p. 123. Italics added.)

Is it apparent from this statement by President Lee that the greatest miracle being performed today is the transformation of a “natural” man or woman (see Mosiah 3:19 ) into a son or daughter of God? Is there a greater witness of Christ’s divinity than the testimonies of people who have given up a worldly way of life to follow him? Think about the following: Have you felt the healing power of Christ in your own life? Have you felt a forgiveness for sins? Are there still sins holding you back from lifting others to higher grounds? Could you, through study, prayer, and fasting, obtain added strength from Jesus Christ to receive the miracle of forgiveness?

Lesson 7: “[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses”

This week we are digging into some of Christ's miracles to help us understand some of the reasons why the Savior performed miracles.

• What is a miracle? (see Bible Dictionary, “Miracles,” 732–33.)
• What is one of the Savior’s miracles that you would like to have witnessed? Why?
• As Jesus traveled throughout Galilee teaching the gospel, he performed many miracles, including healing the sick and casting out devils (Mark 1:34, 39). Why did Jesus perform these and other miracles during his ministry?

As we answer the question of why Christ performed miracles, perhaps we will find clues as to where we should focus our faith and efforts.

Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:

a.Mark 1:14–15, 21–45. Jesus travels throughout Galilee teaching the gospel, casting out devils, and healing the sick. He casts an unclean spirit out of a man, heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, and cleanses a leper.

b.Mark 2:1–12. Jesus forgives a man’s sins and heals the man of palsy.

c.Mark 4:35–41; 5:1–20; Luke 7:11–17. Jesus calms the stormy sea, casts out a legion of devils, and raises the son of the widow of Nain from the dead.

d.Mark 5:21–43. Jesus heals a woman who has an issue of blood and raises Jairus’s daughter from the dead.

"Lesson 7: “[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses”," New Testament Class Member Study Guide, (1997)

Mark 1-2; 4:35-41; 5; Luke 7:11-17

• •

  A miracle is an extraordinary event caused by divine or spiritual power (Bible Dictionary, “Miracles,” 732–33). Why did Jesus perform miracles during his mortal ministry? (See Matthew 9:27–30; Mark 1:27; 2:10–11; 5:19 for some answers to this question.)

• •

  Why do you think faith must precede miracles? Why don’t miracles alone provide a firm foundation for faith?

• •

  Why are the miracles that Jesus performed during his mortal life important to you? Why is it important to know that he continues to perform miracles today? What are some examples of modern miracles?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Invite family members to tell of miracles that have occurred in their lives or the lives of people they know.

Scripture Chain: Miracles and Faith in Jesus Christ

2 Nephi 27:23

Mark 1:34

3 Nephi 17:5–10

Ether 12:12

Mormon 9:15–21

Make Yours a Great Life

Here's a pick-me-up for you- an article from the January Ensign

Paul V. Johnson, "Make Yours a Great Life", Ensign, Jan. 2011, 38–40

A Bright Future for You

Your future is not determined by the conditions around you. It is determined by your faith, your choices, and your efforts. Yes, you live in challenging times, but so did Mary, Moroni, and Joseph Smith. You don’t have to be carried along in the current of the times. The Lord can and will help you set your own course. The challenges you face will serve to strengthen you as you move forward with your life. Each of you has a bright future, a future you cannot now fully comprehend.

People who go to work with faith, knowing the Lord will bless them if they do what’s right, are the ones with a bright future. The title of the last conference address given by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve, (1917–2008) explained how these people handle challenges: “Come What May, and Love It.” Elder Wirthlin said: “If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.” ¹

Your individual future is either bright or cloudy, depending on you.

I guarantee that you will face challenges. That is part of mortality. It is expected. It is OK. In fact, it is necessary. But remember, your future is bright.

In 1993, when President Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995) was president of the Quorum of the Twelve, he told young adults:

“I am here tonight to tell you that despair, doom, and discouragement are not an acceptable view of life for a Latter-day Saint. However high on the charts they are on the hit parade of contemporary news, we must not walk on our lower lip every time a few difficult moments happen to confront us. …

“Knowing what we know, and living as we are supposed to live, we really have no place, no excuse, for pessimism and despair.

There are no better days than these days, because “these are [your] days” (Helaman 7:9). You are here on earth at this time for a reason. You have what it takes. You have skills, knowledge, and natural talents given to you from God. If you live righteously, you will have access to the inspiration and strength you will need to triumph over any challenge you face. You will have the protection of a worthy life; guidance from the Lord through the Holy Ghost and prophets, seers, and revelators; and the power of sacred promises that are yours because you keep your covenants.

Take these things that are yours and have a great life!

The reason I am so confident about your ability to find a bright future in the midst of a challenging world isn’t because I know each of you individually, but because I know that the Lord lives and loves us. He is the real reason each of us has a bright future. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (see Philippians 4:13). Because we are children of our Heavenly Father and because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I know our futures are bright.

Yes, we live in challenging times, but so did Mary, Moroni, and Joseph Smith. We don’t have to be carried along in the current of the times.

I know that the Lord lives and loves us. He is the real reason each of us has a bright future.

Lesson 6:“They Straightway Left Their Nets”

Oh I'm so excited about this week's topic! Put yourself in Galilee 2000 years ago and imagine you saw Jesus, watched the miracles performed, and felt the Spirit testify of the truths he spoke. Then imagine He looks straight at you and calls you by name, "Come follow me." Would you straightway leave your nets and entanglements to go follow the Master? Will you today?

"Lesson 6: “They Straightway Left Their Nets”," New Testament Class Member Study Guide, (1997)

Luke 4:14-32; 5; 6:12-16; Matthew 10

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  Why was it important that Jesus call Apostles? (See Matthew 9:36–38;16:19; Mark 3:14–15; John 20:19–21, 23; Ephesians 4:11–15.) Why is it important that the Lord has called Apostles today?

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  What do you learn about the powers and responsibilities of Apostles from Jesus’ counsel in Matthew 10? How have you seen latter-day Apostles fulfill these responsibilities?

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  How have you been blessed by following the counsel of an Apostle?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Show the chart of General Authorities from the most recent conference issue of the Church magazine in your area. Help family members recognize and learn the names of the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Share your feelings about the blessing it is to be led by prophets and apostles.

Scripture Chain: The Calling of an Apostle

Luke 6:13

Matthew 10:5–8

Ephesians 4:11–15

D&C 107:23

D&C 107:33, 35

D&C 112:14

D&C 112:19–22