SUNDAY SCHOOL Come Follow Me Interactive Activities – APRIL (week 3) New Testament “Thou Art the Christ” Come, Follow Me (Matthew 15-17; Mark 7-9)

Have any of your class members had to explain to someone how they know the gospel is true? In Matthew 16:13–17, what did the Savior teach about how we receive a testimony? You could share how Alma gained his testimony (see Alma 5:45–46)
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or what the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery about revelation (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–15, 22–23; 8:2–3). What do you think Peter or Alma or Oliver Cowdery might have said if someone asked them how they know the gospel is true?

There may be people in your class who are praying for personal revelation but do not know how to recognize it when it comes. At HearHim.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, you can find videos in which Church leaders share how they recognize the Lord’s voice. You might watch one or more of these videos with the class and talk about what the videos teach about receiving revelation. 

What other teachings or scriptures can your class think of that would help someone recognize personal revelation? (For example, see 1 Kings 19:11–12; Galatians 5:22–23; Enos 1:1–8; Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–24; 8:2–3; 9:7–9.)

To start a discussion about priesthood keys, you could write references like these on the board: Matthew 16:19; Doctrine and Covenants 107:18–20; 128:8–11; 132:18–19, 59; Joseph Smith—History 1:72; and “Keys of the Priesthood” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Then invite class members to read one or more of the passages and share something they learn from them about priesthood keys. Why do we need priesthood keys?

To help class members strengthen their testimonies of the restoration of priesthood keys in the latter days, you could ask half of the class to study Matthew 17:1–9 and the other half to study Doctrine and Covenants 110. They could then share with each other what they learned and note similarities between the two accounts. The video “Priesthood Keys: The Restoration of Priesthood Keys” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) could also be helpful.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland used the account of a father seeking healing for his son to teach how we should approach the Lord when we feel that our faith is insufficient (see “Lord, I Believe,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 93–95). After reading Mark 9:14–30 as a class, you could discuss together Elder Holland’s three observations (see “Additional Resources”).

After retelling the account found in Mark 9:14–29, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:

“Observation number one regarding this account is that when facing the challenge of faith, the father asserts his strength first and only then acknowledges his limitation. His initial declaration is affirmative and without hesitation: ‘Lord, I believe.’ I would say to all who wish for more faith, remember this man! In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited. …

“The second observation is a variation of the first. When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your ‘unbelief.’ … I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have. …

“Last observation: When doubt or difficulty come, do not be afraid to ask for help. If we want it as humbly and honestly as this father did, we can get it” (“Lord, I Believe,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 93–94).