Questions for Lesson 16

1.  What were the physical infirmities that Jesus healed during his mortal ministry? 
2. Why do you think healing the blind was such a significant miracle in the Savior’s ministry? 
3. What might healing the blind symbolize spiritually? (The Savior’s power to help us overcome spiritual blindness and “see” or understand spiritual truths.)

Explain that the scriptures studied in this lesson focus on seeing and hearing the Savior and on our responsibility to help others do the same.

1. Jesus gives sight to a man who was born blind.

1. Before healing the man who was born blind, Jesus proclaimed, “I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). In what ways did Jesus bring light to the blind man? (See John 9:6–7, 35–38.)
2. The man who had been blind testified several times that Jesus had healed him (John 9:10–11, 15, 17, 24–25, 27, 30–33.  What can we learn from this man’s example? (Answers could include that we have a responsibility to share our testimonies. Point out that the man courageously testified to many people, even those who rejected his testimony and threatened him.)
3. How did this man’s testimony grow as he continued to share it? (Compare verses 11, 17, 33, and 38.) How has your testimony grown as you have shared it? 
4. How did the Pharisees react when they heard about the miracle? (See John 9:16.) 
5. Why do you think they refused to acknowledge that Jesus had performed this miracle by the power of God? (Answers may include pride, anger about Jesus healing on the Sabbath, fear that they would lose power or popularity, and so on.) 
6. How did the Pharisees try to discredit Jesus? (See John 9:16, 18–20, 24, 28–29, 34.) 
7. How do some people today deny the power of God?
8. How did the parents of the man who had been blind respond when the Pharisees asked them about the miracle? (See John 9:18–23.) 
9. Why did the parents respond this way? (See John 9:22.) 
10. How are we sometimes like this man’s parents? 
11. How can we be more valiant in our testimonies?
12. How did the Pharisees punish the man when he continued to testify that Jesus had healed him? (See John 9:34. Explain that being cast out meant being excommunicated.) 
13. What did Jesus do when he heard that the man had been cast out because of his testimony? (See John 9:35–37.) 
14. How has the Lord blessed you for remaining faithful during adversity?
15. In what way could the Pharisees see, and in what way were they blind? (See John 9:39–41. They knew the law very well, but they were blind to its true purpose. They refused to see that Jesus came in fulfillment of the law.) 
16. What is the difference between seeing with our eyes and “seeing” or understanding spiritually? 
17. What are some causes of spiritual blindness? 
18. What can we learn from this account about how to overcome spiritual blindness?

2. Jesus teaches that he is the Good Shepherd.

1. In Jesus’ discussion of the shepherd and his sheep, whom do the sheep represent? (See John 10:4, 27.) 
2. Who is the shepherd? (See John 10:11.) 
3. What are some qualities of a good shepherd? (You may want to list these qualities on the chalkboard as shown below.) a. He knows his sheep, calls them by name, and leads them (John 10:3–4, 14). b. He is the door of the sheep, allowing them to enter the fold to be saved and find pasture (John 10:7, 9). c. He gives the sheep “life … more abundantly” (John 10:10). d. He gives his life for the sheep (John 10:11, 15).
4. What is the difference between a shepherd and a hireling? (See John 10:11–14.) 
5. How is Jesus the perfect example of a shepherd? (Using the list you have written on the chalkboard, discuss how Jesus exemplifies each of these qualities. See 2 Nephi 9:41–42 as you discuss how Jesus is the door of the sheep. As you discuss Jesus’ willingness to give his life for us, see John 10:17–18.)
6. How do sheep recognize their shepherd? (See John 10:3–4.) 
7. How can we hear the Lord’s voice? (See D&C 1:37–38; 18:33–36; 97:1.) 
8. How are we protected when we know and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd?
10. Who are the thieves and robbers who try to enter the sheepfold? (See John 10:1. They are people who try to harm the Lord’s followers or lead them astray.) 
11. How can we discern between true shepherds and those who try to lead us astray? (See John 10:10.)
12. How are the sheep rewarded for following the Good Shepherd? (See John 10:9–10, 28.) 
13. How have you been blessed for following the Savior?