What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple of Jesus Christ?
(Lesson-match Interactive Activities)
At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.
(1) Live the gospel.
How have we seen the hand of the Lord in our lives?
YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. PATRIARCHAL BLESSING memo and checklist. Youth can record parts of blessing on Messages Memo, e.g. “I was blessed with.” “I was promised.” “What I must do.” Plus, things to do on the Preparation Checklist. Place a flower sticker by each item accomplished, e.g. “Be mature enough to appreciate the blessing.” READ MORE
(2) Care for those in need.
How can we support each other in the things we are going through?
YOUTH LESSON ACTIVITY. MISSIONARY SUPPORT crossword puzzle. Youth can read clues to clue themselves into how they can encourage missionaries and support them in their work responsibilities. For example “I will introduce nonmember families and friends to the missionaries.” READ MORE
(3) Invite all to receive the gospel.
How can we better use technology as a tool to share the gospel?
YOUTH GOAL/LESSON ACTIVITY. LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL candle gift box. Youth can be reminded to “share” their “greatest gift … the light of the gospel” (Matthew 5:15-16) with this gift box (including a candle). The gift box notes three steps to sharing the gospel: Be friends; Invite to activities; Invite missionaries to teach. READ MORE
(4) Unite families for eternity.
What are we doing to help our families come unto Christ?
POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. GIFTS FROM JESUS think-and-tell. Youth can learn about the gifts from Jesus and say how they are blessings. For example, as they draw a GIFT and read the scripture, e.g. “Whoso believeth in me, and is baptized … shall be saved” (3 Nephi 11:33). Then they might respond by saying the BLESSING, “By keeping my baptismal promises I can live with Jesus and Heavenly Father again someday.” Great discussion activity. READ MORE
Teach the Doctrine
Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes
Prepare Yourself Spiritually
Chapter 11 of Acts notes that for the first time “the disciples were called Christians” (verse 26). It is a sacred privilege and responsibility to be known as one of Christ’s disciples and to be called by His name. As President M. Russell Ballard said: “Do we realize how blessed we are to take upon us the name of God’s Beloved and Only Begotten Son? Do we understand how significant that is? The Savior’s name is the only name under heaven by which man can be saved” (“The Importance of a Name,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 79).
What does it mean to you to be a Christian—a disciple of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to the members of your class or quorum? How does taking His name upon yourself influence you? You might also think of times when you were inspired by the example of someone who acted as a true disciple of Christ.
As you prepare to teach, in addition to reading Acts 10–15, consider reading one or more of the general conference messages found in “Supporting Resources.” SEE BELOW (at the bottom of this page).
YOUTH GOAL PLANNER. TAKE UPON THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Youth can listen carefully to the sacrament prayers and record on the planner what it means to take upon the name of Jesus Christ. The planner reminds them to do something each day to keep their baptismal covenants and record things they did to follow Jesus. READ MORE
YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. IN HIS FOOTSTEPS mirror motivators. Youth can follow these feet to see the path that Jesus Walked: Resist temptation, Be obedient, Love and serve others, and Be meek and humble. As they visualize Christ beside them they will make better choices. READ MORE
POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. FOLLOWING JESUS’ FOOTSTEPS match and ponder. Youth take turns MATCHING AS THEY CHOOSE: Jesus’ example shoes, and shoes today, stating how they will follow Him “ponder the path of thy feet” (Proverbs 4:26). READ MORE
YOUTH LESSON ACTIVITY. EXAMPLE DECISION Drama or Draw. When decisions need to be made, who do you look to for an example? Jesus Christ is our perfect example. With this youth can learn the difference between a good and bad influence and increase their desire to choose the right. READ MORE
Learn Together
To help members of your class or quorum understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, you could invite them to finish the following statement: “A disciple of Jesus Christ is someone who …” They could review Acts 11:19–26, looking for insights in verses 21, 23–24, 26 about how these Church members showed that they were disciples. How does being followers of Jesus Christ influence our thoughts and behaviors? Activities like these can add to this discussion.
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It could be helpful to discuss what a disciple of Jesus Christ is (see the statement by Elder Robert D. Hales in “Supporting Resources”). You might ask the youth to share some teachings of Jesus Christ that inspire them and some things they have learned from His example. They could search some of the scriptures in “Supporting Resources,” or others they know of, for ideas. They could list on the board what they learned about the Savior from the passages. They could then talk about ways they can sincerely follow the teachings and examples listed on the board.
- Ask class or quorum members to think about what it means to be a Christian. They could make a list of qualities they would expect to find in the life of someone who follows Jesus Christ (see, for example, John 13:34–35). You could split the youth into two groups and ask each group to read one of the following messages looking for additional qualities they would add to their list: Elder Terence M. Vinson, “True Disciples of the Savior” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 9–11) SEE VIDEO BELOW and Elder Massimo De Feo, “Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 81–83). SEE THIS VIDEO BELOW. Invite the youth to ponder something on the list they want to improve on.
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You might ask the class or quorum members what it means to them to be called by the name of Jesus Christ. Perhaps they could share experiences they’ve had when someone learned they are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How do we feel about being known as followers of Jesus Christ and members of His Church? The youth could also explore several scriptures or one of the messages in “Supporting Resources,” looking for insights that inspire them to live up to the name of Jesus Christ, which they have taken upon themselves. How does being called by the name of Jesus Christ affect the choices we make?
A father said, “What we need here is Less Wi-Fi and more Nephi.”
“TRUE DISCIPLES love to ‘stand in holy places” and love to make holy the places where we stand. Pure love is the true sign of every true disciple of Jesus Christ.”
YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. TEACH LIKE JESUS Teaching Talents and Tools planner/journal. Youth can use this tool to plan what they will teach and to know the ways the Savior taught. Jesus Taught Through Love, scriptures, stories, and examples. Jesus knew through prayer who needed to be taught and what to teach them. If we are nurtured by the Spirit we can teach by the Spirit. READ MORE
POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. “FISHERS OF MEN” – MISSIONARY FISH-IONARY FISH FIND. Youth can go fishing to learn how to be good missionaries. We can tell others about Jesus Christ’s Church, to do as Jesus asked His Apostles to be “fishers of men.” READ MORE
POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. DON’T BOTTLE-UP YOUR TESTIMONY Share it! spin-the-bottle. Youth can learn how to build a strong belief in the gospel and testify of truth. They can spin to find the topic and then share their beliefs on the topic. Also, great for Discussion Starters; Scripture Chase; and Table Talk. READ MORE
YOUTH CAN TEACH THIS SONG TO PRIMARY CHILDREN
SINGING TIME. “TELL ME THE STORIES OF JESUS” song visuals. Youth can feel like Jesus is near as they sing “stories of Jesus I love to hear, Things I would ask him to tell me if he were here.” They imagine gathering around Him to hear His “Words” of “kindness” and see His “love-light” face. Trusting as His disciples did, He “hushed the wind” of the troubled sea. READ MORE
Act in Faith
Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Supporting Resources
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Matthew 5:38–47; 6:19–21; 7:1–5; 25:31–40; Luke 10:25–37; John 13:34–35; 14:15 (Jesus Christ’s teachings)
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Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 6:35–44; Luke 4:16–19; 22:39–42; 23:33–34; Acts 10:38 (Jesus Christ’s example)
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Jeremiah 15:16; Mosiah 5:7–15; Alma 46:12–15; 3 Nephi 27:3–8 (Taking the Savior’s name upon ourselves)
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Lisa L. Harkness, “Honoring His Name,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 60–62 SEE VIDEO BELOW
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Paul B. Pieper, “All Must Take upon Them the Name Given of the Father,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 43–45
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Elder Robert D. Hales taught: “What does it mean to be a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ? A disciple is one who has been baptized and is willing to take upon him or her the name of the Savior and follow Him. A disciple strives to become as He is by keeping His commandments in mortality, much the same as an apprentice seeks to become like his or her master.
“Many people hear the word disciple and think it means only ‘follower.’ But genuine discipleship is a state of being. This suggests more than studying and applying a list of individual attributes. Disciples live so that the characteristics of Christ are woven into the fiber of their beings, as into a spiritual tapestry” (“Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 46).
“The name we were given at birth reflects our individual identity and gives us belonging within our earthly families. … As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, may we ‘gladly [take upon us] the name of Christ’ by honoring His name with love, devotion, and good works.”
