"Lesson 4: “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”," New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (2002)
http://institute.lds.org/manuals/new-testament-institute-student-manual/nt-in-01-1-4.asp
Purpose
To inspire class members to draw near to the Savior by repenting of their sins, keeping their baptismal covenants, and withstanding temptation.Preparation
- 1. Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
a. Matthew 3:1–12. John the Baptist preaches repentance and baptizes, preparing the way of the Lord Jesus Christ.
and Alma 7:9 But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying—Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth.
and D&C 33:10 Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent, repent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;
The kingdom of God on earth is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (D&C 65). The purpose of the Church is to prepare its members to live forever in the celestial kingdom or kingdom of heaven. However, the scriptures sometimes call the Church the kingdom of heaven, meaning that the Church is the kingdom of heaven on earth.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth, but it is at present limited to an ecclesiastical kingdom. During the Millennium, the kingdom of God will be both political and ecclesiastical. (http://lds.org/scriptures/gs/kingdom-of-god-or-kingdom-of-heaven?lang=eng&letter=k)
Isaiah 40:3 ¶The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
D&C 88:66 Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in the wilderness—in the wilderness, because you cannot see him—my voice, because my voice is Spirit; my Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound. John was the voice crying in the wilderness, but the voice of the Spirit also cries/calls to us.
? Lehi saw John the Baptist. He saw the baptism of the Savior. 1 Nephi 10:8 Did he receive this information through vision himself, or were their scriptures available to him that told of this -- or both?
JST Matthew 3:38-40
38 I indeed baptize you with water, upon your repentance; and when he of whom I bear record cometh, who is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, (or whose place I am not able to fill,) as I said, I indeed baptize you before he cometh, that when he cometh he may baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.
39 And it is he of whom I shall bear record, whose fan shall be in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but in the fulness of his own time will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
40 Thus came John, preaching and baptizing in the river of Jordan; bearing record, that he who was coming after him had power to baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire.
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b. Matthew 3:13–17. Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist.
c. Matthew 4:1–11. Jesus withstands Satan’s temptations in the wilderness.
Matthew 4:1
d. John 1:35–51. Some of John the Baptist’s disciples decide to follow Jesus.
GR Stone, Pebble. JST John 1:42 … Cephas, which is, by interpretation, a seer, or a stone. And they were fishermen. And they straightway left all, and followed Jesus.
Come and See -- John 1: 39-46
GR deceit, fraud. TG Guile. D&C 41:11 And this because his heart is pure before me, for he is like unto Nathanael of old, in whom there is no guile.
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- 2. Additional reading: Mark 1:1–13; Luke 3:1–22; 4:1–14; John 1:19–34; 2:1–25; 2 Nephi 31; Bible Dictionary, “Baptism,” 618–19; “John the Baptist,” 714–15; “Repentance,” 760–61.
- 3. If the following pictures are available, use them during the lesson: John Preaching in the Wilderness (62132; Gospel Art Picture Kit 207) and John the Baptist Baptizing Jesus (62133; Gospel Art Picture Kit 208).
- 4. Suggestion for teaching: Use class time wisely. Plan what you will discuss and how much time you want to spend on each part of the lesson, but then let the Spirit guide you. Do not end a meaningful discussion just so you can cover the entire lesson. It is more important for class members to learn and feel the Spirit than for every point in the lesson to be discussed.
Suggested Lesson Development
Attention Activity
As appropriate, use the following activity or one of your own to begin the lesson.Write the following on the chalkboard, and ask class members if they know what it says:
Explain that this is the Hebrew word Messiah, which means anointed. The Jews had waited centuries for the coming of the Messiah, who, according to prophecy, would be their anointed King and Deliverer. The Greek word for Messiah is Christ. Jesus Christ was the long-awaited Messiah, and John the Baptist was the prophet sent to prepare the way for him.
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Messiah definition
(Heb. mashiah), in all the thirty-nine instances of its occurring in the Old Testament, is rendered by the LXX. "Christos." It means anointed. Thus priests (Ex. 28:41; 40:15; Num. 3:3), prophets (1 Kings 19:16), and kings (1 Sam. 9:16; 16:3; 2 Sam. 12:7) were anointed with oil, and so consecrated to their respective offices. The great Messiah is anointed "above his fellows" (Ps. 45:7); i.e., he embraces in himself all the three offices. The Greek form "Messias" is only twice used in the New Testament, in John 1:41 and 4:25 (R.V., "Messiah"), and in the Old Testament the word Messiah, as the rendering of the Hebrew, occurs only twice (Dan 9:25, 26; R.V., "the anointed one"). The first great promise (Gen. 3:15) contains in it the germ of all the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament regarding the coming of the Messiah and the great work he was to accomplish on earth. The prophecies became more definite and fuller as the ages rolled on; the light shone more and more unto the perfect day. Different periods of prophetic revelation have been pointed out, (1) the patriarchal; (2) the Mosaic; (3) the period of David; (4) the period of prophetism, i.e., of those prophets whose works form a part of the Old Testament canon. The expectations of the Jews were thus kept alive from generation to generation, till the "fulness of the times," when Messiah came, "made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law." In him all these ancient prophecies have their fulfilment. Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the great Deliverer who was to come. (Comp. Matt. 26:54; Mark 9:12; Luke 18:31; 22:37; John 5:39; Acts 2; 16:31; 26:22, 23.)Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
Citation:
messiah. Dictionary.com. Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/messiah (accessed: January 17, 2011).
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Scripture Discussion and Application
Discuss how the teachings in the following scripture passages can help us draw nearer to the Savior. Because it would be difficult to ask every question or cover every point in the lesson, prayerfully select those that will best meet class members’ needs.1. John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Read and discuss Matthew 3:1–12.1In those days came aJohn the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa,
3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet aEsaias, saying, The bvoice of one crying in the wilderness, cPrepare ye the way of the Lord, make his dpaths straight.
4And the same John had his araiment of bcamel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was clocusts and wild honey.
7¶But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his abaptism, he said unto them, O bgeneration of vipers, who hath cwarned you to flee from the wrath to come?d
9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham ato our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which abringeth not forth good fruit is bhewn down, and cast into the fire.
11aI indeed bbaptize you with water unto crepentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not dworthy to bear: he shall ebaptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with ffire:
12Whose afan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the bgarner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable cfire.
Display the picture of John preaching, and share the following background information in your own words:
Centuries before John’s birth, many prophets foresaw his ministry and testified of his greatness as the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah
(Isaiah 40:3 3¶The avoice of him that crieth in the wilderness, bPrepare ye the cway of the Lord, make straight in the desert a dhighway for our God.
1 Nephi 10:7–10 7And he spake also concerning a aprophet who should come before the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord—
8Yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness: aPrepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier than I, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. And much spake my father concerning this thing.
9And my father said he should baptize in aBethabara, beyond Jordan; and he also said he should bbaptize with water; even that he should baptize the Messiah with water.
10And after he had baptized the Messiah with water, he should behold and bear record that he had baptized the aLamb of God, who should take away the sins of the world.
In preparation for John’s ministry, the angel Gabriel announced John’s forthcoming birth (Luke 1:13–19),
13But the angel said unto him, aFear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a bson, and thou shalt call his name John.
15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither awine nor strong drink; and he shall be bfilled with the cHoly Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of aElias, to turn the hearts of the bfathers to the children, and the cdisobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people dprepared for the Lord.
18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I aknow this? for I am an bold man, and my wife well cstricken in years.
19And the aangel answering said unto him, I am bGabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
Zacharias prophesied on the day of John’s naming and circumcision (Luke 1:67–79)
67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and aprophesied, saying,
74That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without afear,
76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to aprepare his ways;
79To give alight to them that sit in bdarkness and in the shadow of cdeath, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
, and an angel ordained eight-day-old John to his mission
(D&C 84:27–28). 27Which agospel is the gospel of brepentance and of cbaptism, and the dremission of sins, and the elaw of fcarnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until gJohn, whom God raised up, being hfilled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.
28For he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was aordained by the angel of God at the time he was beight days old unto this power, to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to cmake straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the dcoming of the Lord, in whose hand is given eall power.
The crowning statement of John’s greatness came from the Savior himself, who said, “Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist”
(Luke 7:28). 28For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is aleast in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
John was born about six months before Jesus. Shortly after Jesus’ birth, Herod, feeling threatened by the announcement that a new king of the Jews had been born, “slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under”
(Matthew 2:16).
16¶Then Herod, when he saw that he was amocked of the wise men, bwas exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and cslew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the dcoasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
To protect Jesus, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and directed him to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15).
13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of aEgypt have I called my son.
- • What was John the Baptist’s mission? (See Luke 1:76–79; 3:3–4.) Why do you think it was important that someone prepare the way of the Lord?
- • What message did John preach to prepare the people for the coming of the Savior? (See Matthew 3:1–2.) What does it mean to repent? (As class members discuss answers to this question, list on the chalkboard some aspects of repentance as shown below. You may want to invite class members to read the accompanying scriptures.)
- a. Feeling godly sorrow for sin (2 Corinthians 7:9–10).
- b. Confessing and forsaking sins (D&C 58:42–43).
- c. Making amends, where possible, for wrongs done (Luke 19:8).
- d. Obeying the commandments (D&C 1:31–32).
- e. Turning to the Lord and serving him (Mosiah 7:33).
- a. Feeling godly sorrow for sin (2 Corinthians 7:9–10).
- • How does repentance help us prepare to dwell with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? (See 3 Nephi 27:19.) How does repentance help us draw nearer to them each day?
- • The Pharisees and Sadducees witnessed baptisms performed by John but chose not to be baptized (Matthew 3:7; Luke 7:29–30). John rebuked them, urging them to “repent … and bring forth fruits meet for repentance” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 3:35; note that the word fruits refers to results and that the word meet means worthy or appropriate). What are the fruits of repentance? (See Moroni 8:25–26.)
- • John baptized “with water unto repentance” and promised that Jesus would baptize “with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). What does it mean to be baptized “with the Holy Ghost, and with fire”?
We are baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (D&C 20:41). “The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost. … It acts as a cleansing agent to purify a person and sanctify him from all sin. Thus it is often spoken of as ‘fire’” (Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost,” 704).
2. Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist.
Read and discuss Matthew 3:13–17. Display the picture of John baptizing Jesus.- • Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus? (See Matthew 3:14.) Why did Jesus need to be baptized? (See Matthew 3:15; 2 Nephi 31:6–7, 9–11.) Why do we need to be baptized? (See 2 Nephi 31:5, 12–13, 17–18; D&C 20:71; 49:13–14.)
- • What covenants do we make when we are baptized? (See D&C 20:37.) How should these covenants affect our daily actions? (See Mosiah 18:8–10.)
3. Jesus withstands Satan’s temptations in the wilderness.
Look for quotes at http://www.gospeldoctrine.com/NewTestament/ntindex.html see Luke 4
This is one of the quotes from there -- Joseph B. Wirthlin
“Willing obedience provides lasting protection against Satan’s alluring and tantalizing temptations. Jesus is our perfect example of obedience. Learn to do as He did when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. Even though He was weakened by fasting, His answer was quick and firm: ‘Get thee behind me, Satan.’ Elder Neal A. Maxwell said this of the Savior’s example in resisting temptation: ‘Jesus noticed the tremendous temptations that came to Him, but He did not process and reprocess them. Instead, He rejected them promptly. If we entertain temptations, soon they begin entertaining us!’ When Satan comes calling, cast him out as quickly as possible. Do not let temptation even begin to entertain you.” (“Live in Obedience,” Ensign, May 1994, 40)
- • Soon after Jesus was baptized, the Spirit led him into the wilderness to be with God (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1). How do you think this experience prepared Jesus to withstand Satan’s temptations? How do fasting, prayer, and being “led … of the Spirit” fortify us against temptation?
- • To what desire did Satan try to appeal when he tempted Jesus, who had been fasting, to turn the stones into bread? (See Matthew 4:2–3. He tried to appeal to the desire to satisfy physical appetite.) How does Satan tempt us to give in to physical appetites? How can we recognize and resist these temptations?
- • Satan tried to appeal to pride when he tempted Jesus to cast himself down from the pinnacle and prove that he had the power to be saved by angels (Matthew 4:5–6). How does Satan try to appeal to our pride? How can we recognize and withstand temptations to gratify prideful desires?
- • What did Satan offer if Jesus would worship him? (See Matthew 4:8–9.) How does Satan tempt us with worldly riches and power? How can we recognize and resist these temptations? (See Matthew 4:10.)
- • What was false about Satan’s offer to give Jesus the kingdoms of the world? (See D&C 104:14.) What are some false offers Satan makes today to entice us to sin?
- • Jesus responded to each of Satan’s temptations by quoting from the scriptures (Matthew 4:3–4, 6–7, 8–10). How do the scriptures give us strength to withstand temptation? (See Helaman 3:29–30.)
- • Satan twice questioned whether Jesus was the Son of God (Matthew 4:3, 6). Why do you think Satan raised this question? How does he raise this question in the world today? When we face temptation, how does it help to know that we are children of God? (See Moses 1:12–22.)
- • How can it help us to know that Jesus, the Son of God, faced temptations similar to those we face? (As class members discuss this question, you may want to have them read Hebrews 4:14–15.)
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said: “The Lord is well aware of our mortality. He knows our weaknesses. He understands the challenges of our everyday lives. He has great empathy for the temptations of earthly appetites and passions” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 46; or Ensign, May 1996, 34).
4. Some of John the Baptist’s disciples decide to follow Jesus.
Read and discuss selected verses from John 1:35–51.- • When Jesus began his mortal ministry, what did John the Baptist encourage his own disciples to do? (See John 1:35–37.) When Jesus saw two of John the Baptist’s disciples following Him, what did He do? (See John 1:38–39.)
- • When Andrew heard and recognized the Savior, what did he do? (See John 1:40–42.) After receiving a witness that Jesus was the Messiah, how did Philip answer Nathanael’s doubts? (See John 1:43–46.) What can we do to invite others to “come and see” the Savior?
Conclusion
Testify that the invitation to “come and see” the Savior is extended to each of us. Explain that we can accept that invitation by repenting, being baptized, keeping our baptismal covenants, and withstanding temptation.Additional Teaching Ideas
The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may want to use one or more of these ideas as part of the lesson.1. Insights from the Savior’s baptism
Review Matthew 3:16–17.- • How does the account of the Savior’s baptism show that baptism should be performed by immersion? (See Matthew 3:16; see also John 3:23; Romans 6:3–6; 3 Nephi 11:23–26; Bible Dictionary, “Baptism,” 618, which explains that the word baptism is “from a Greek word meaning to dip or immerse.”)
- • What did John see after he baptized Jesus? (See Matthew 3:16.) Whose voice did he hear? (See Matthew 3:17.) What does the account of the Savior’s baptism teach about the nature of the Godhead? (Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are separate beings.)
2. Jesus shows respect and love for his mother
Explain that after Jesus was baptized, he and his disciples attended a wedding feast in Cana (John 2:1–11). When his mother told him that there was no wine for the feast, he replied, “What wilt thou have me do for thee? that will I do” (Joseph Smith Translation, John 2:4; see John 2:4, footnote 4a).- • What did Jesus’ words to his mother reveal about his feelings toward her? What did he do to help her? (See John 2:6–11. Point out that this is Jesus’ first miracle recorded in the New Testament.)
3. Jesus shows reverence as he cleanses the temple
Have class members read John 2:13–17, which contains an account of Jesus finding merchants and money changers desecrating the temple. If the picture Jesus Cleansing the Temple (62163; Gospel Art Picture Kit 224) is available, display it. Point out that Jesus showed respect and reverence when he “drove them all out of the temple, … and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables” (John 2:15). Explain that reverence for our Heavenly Father includes more than merely sitting quietly in Church. It includes demonstrating by our actions that we love him and that we acknowledge his power.ClassicLDS.org
http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=19bb12ca67c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=d7561b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
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