YOUTH CLASSES
DECEMBER 10, 2023
TOPIC #1
Revelation 1-5
HOW DOES JESUS CHRIST MAKE HEAVENLY FATHER’S PLAN POSSIBLE?
December 24, 2023
TOPIC #2
Christmas
HOW DOES JESUS CHRIST SHOW HIS LOVE FOR ME?
(SEE BELOW)
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.
What recent experiences have brought us closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
(2) Care for those in need.
Has someone recently moved into our ward or joined the Church? How can we help them feel welcome?
(3) Invite all to receive the gospel.
What activities are coming up that we can invite our friends to attend?
(4) Unite families for eternity.
What efforts can we make to record our personal histories?
Teach the Doctrine
Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes
Prepare Yourself Spiritually
Before He was born, Jesus Christ was known as the great Jehovah. He was the Father’s “Beloved and Chosen from the beginning” (Moses 4:2), full of glory, grace, and truth (see John 17:5; Doctrine and Covenants 93:11). And yet when He was born, Mary “laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). Why was Jesus Christ willing to accept His role as Savior even though it meant coming to earth in the lowliest of circumstances? The simple answer is that He loves us. When Nephi saw the Savior’s birth in vision, he testified of “the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things” (1 Nephi 11:22).
Christmas is a special time to ponder how the Savior’s birth and His atoning sacrifice demonstrate His love for you. As you prepare to help the youth you teach feel the Savior’s love, consider reviewing Luke 4:16–21; John 3:16–17; 3 Nephi 27:13–16; and Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s message “The Love of God” (Liahona, Nov. 2021, 16–19).
Learn Together
As your class or quorum approaches the end of your New Testament study this year, you might ask the youth to share some favorite New Testament stories in which the Savior showed His love for those around Him. You could even read some of these stories together. What do these stories teach us about the Savior’s love for us? To help you further discuss the Savior’s love, use activities like the following.
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Invite the members of your class or quorum to think of the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us as a beautiful bouquet of flowers (see Russell M. Nelson, “Divine Love,” Ensign, Feb. 2003, 24). Consider giving each person a flower cut out of paper and asking them each to read one of the scripture passages in “Supporting Resources.” Ask them to write on their flowers what they learn about the love Heavenly Father and Jesus have for us. As they share what they learned, they could put their flowers together to create a bouquet. How can we better recognize the ways Heavenly Father and Jesus show Their love for us?
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Several hymns describe ways that the Savior shows His love for us (see, for example, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Hymns, no. 136).
DOWNLOAD I Know That My Redeemer Lives song visuals to teach and discuss concepts of the song (HERE)
Class or quorum members could select a hymn and share experiences when they have felt the Savior’s love in ways that are similar to those described in the hymn. What are some other ways the Savior has shown His love for us? As followers of Christ, how can we help others feel His love? -
There are many false ideas in the world about God’s love for us. For instance, some might think that when people are wealthy or prosperous, it means that God loves them more than others. Some might feel that if God truly loved us, He would accept us as we are and not ask us to change. What false messages about God’s love have we heard? To help counter these false messages, you might ask the youth to review Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s message “The Love of God” or President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “Love and Law” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 26–29). What truths do we find in these messages that help us understand God’s love for us?
Present as a reminder to always “follow the sun” like the flowers by following “the Son of God.”
Use this bouquet of flowers to have youth write thank-you notes to Jesus Christ. Share these as a testimony time.
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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John 3:16–17; 15:9–13; Romans 8:35–39; Hebrews 12:5–6, 9–11; 1 Nephi 11:21–23; Alma 7:11–12; 3 Nephi 11:13–17; Moroni 7:45–48
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Michael John U. Teh, “Our Personal Savior,” Liahona, May 2021, 99–101
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Taniela B. Wakolo, “God Loves His Children,” Liahona, May 2021, 94–96
