September 14-20
3 Nephi 8-11
"Arise and Come Forth Unto Me"
Materials: picture of the Christus Statue, "Testaments" video (optional)
Opening Song: "This is My Beloved Son" (Children's Hymnbook, 76)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 3 Nephi 11: 7-8 Behold my aBeloved Son, bin whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him. And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they asaw a Man bdescending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
Attention Activity:
Show a picture of the Christus statue like the one below. Have you ever seen this statue before in person? If so, what was it like? What can you see in the Savior's hands and feet? This statue reminds us of sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It also depicts how the Savior's arms are always open for us, inviting us to come unto Him.
Lesson:
When Jesus came to the Nephites, he invited everyone in attendance to "Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may athrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may bfeel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the cGod of Israel, and the God of the whole dearth, and have been slain for the sins of the world." (3 Nephi 11:14). Jesus wanted the people to know with a surety that He was the Redeemer.
Read 3 Nephi 11:15 and show the pictures that come in the manual: "One by One" by Walter Rane (pg. 147) and "One Shepherd" by Howard Lyn (pg. 149) Later, we read their were about 2,500 people in attendance that day. How long do you think it would have taken for each and every person to meet the Savior and feel his wounds? If each person would have taken only 5 seconds, this would have taken just under 4 hours. Despite the length of time, this was important to the Savior. In fact, it's the first thing he does after descending from the heavens.
The Savior wanted everyone there to have a personal testimony of him. He wants each of us to have personal spiritual experiences that build faith in Christ. Have you ever had a spiritual experience where you felt your testimony of the Savior grow?
What are some things we can do to "Come unto Christ" to strengthen our testimonies of him? One of the amazing things about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is that it has some amazing programs and organizations put in place to help its members gain stronger testimonies. (Depending on the age of your family members, discuss some programs and experiences that can help everyone "Come unto Christ" i.e. primary activity days, youth activities, the Children and Youth goal setting program, seminary, church camps, FSY conferences, institute, Relief Society and Elder's Quorum activities, ministering, the Come Follow Me program, etc.) How have these programs strengthened your testimony?
Just as the Savior ministered to the Nephites one by one, He has asked each of us to minister to those around us. He wants to act in His stead to help others and comfort those who need comfort. We can do this by doing acts of kindness for those in our family, helping in our community, and serving any who we have been assigned to as ministering brothers and sisters.
Jesus Christ know you by name. You are special to Him. If He were here now, we would also have the opportunity to see His scarred hands, feet, and side. We would fall to our knees, knowing that He saved us from our sins and enabled us to repent and live with Heavenly Father again. Jesus wants us to get to know Him. To learn about His life, His ministry, and His gospel. He wants us to bear testimony of Him. Bear your testimony of Jesus Christ.
Optional Activity: "Testaments" video
Closing Song: "He Sent His Son" (Children's Hymnbook, 34)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Snickerdoodle Zucchini Bread recipe here
