February 12, 26, 2023 YOUTH DOCTRINAL CLASS “How Do the Savior’s Teachings Help Me Make Righteous Judgments?” for Aaronic Priesthood Quorums & Young Women – Come Follow Me – Lessons (Matthew 6-7), Activities and Goals

Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; 10–20 minutes

You could begin a discussion about judging righteously by asking class or quorum members to think of a time when they felt misjudged by others. How did this feel? What do we learn about judging from the Savior’s teachings in Matthew 7:1–5? (see the Joseph Smith Translation in footnote 1a). What might the phrase “righteous judgment” mean? You could discuss these verses by inviting class or quorum members to restate each verse in their own words. Activities like the following can also help those you teach to judge righteously.

• The Savior’s teachings in Matthew 6–7 can help us “judge righteous judgment.” To help class or quorum members discover these teachings, you could give each of them one of the following passages to ponder: Matthew 6:14–15; 7:3–5; 7:12; 7:15–20. What do the Savior’s words in these verses suggest about what it means to judge righteously? What can we learn from the Savior’s example in John 8:1–11 and Matthew 9:10–13? What differences do we notice between the way the Savior judges us and the way we often judge each other?

Because we all have agency, we must constantly make judgments about what we will and will not do. But as followers of the Savior, we strive not to judge or criticize other people. To help the youth understand the difference, share with them the statement by President Dallin H. Oaks in “Supporting Resources.” As a class or quorum, work together to think of examples of judging a situation—such as an activity, an event, or a conversation—instead of judging a person who is involved. Why is it better to judge a situation rather than a person? The youth may have other questions about judging righteously (see examples in “Supporting Resources”). Discuss their questions together using the information under “Supporting Resources” to find answers. Invite the youth to share what they feel inspired to do because of what they are learning.

In his general conference message “Developing Good Judgment and Not Judging Others” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 103–5), Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer told two stories—of Jesus’s friend Martha and of a man Elder Schwitzer helped. What do these stories teach about how we should view and treat others? What principles can help us be more Christlike and judge righteously? The videos “Looking through Windows” and “Judging Others? Stop It!” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) could provide additional insights.