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. “Walk in the light” (1 John 1:7)
Read 1 John 1:6–7.
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What does it mean to “walk in darkness”? What does it mean to “walk in the light”? (As part of your discussion of these questions, you may want to have class members sing “Teach Me to Walk in the Light.” See Hymns,no. 304, or Children’s Songbook,177.)
2. John cautions against the spirit of anti-Christ
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In his epistles, John repeatedly warned the Saints to avoid anti-Christs. What did John say anti-Christs try to do? (See 1 John 2:22–23; 4:1–3; 2 John 1:7.) Why do you think the adversary tries to destroy our testimonies of the Savior? What can we do to keep our testimonies strong?
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Elder M. Russell Ballard taught: “Individual, personal testimony of gospel truth, particularly of the divine life and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ, is essential to our eternal life. … Life eternal is predicated upon our own individual, personal knowledge of our Father in Heaven and His Holy Son. Simply knowing about them is not enough. We must have personal, spiritual experiences to anchor us. These come through seeking them in the same intense, single-minded way that a hungry person seeks food” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 111; or Ensign, May 1996, 80).
3. “No man hath seen God at any time” (1 John 4:12)
If class members wonder whether 1 John 4:12 means that man cannot see God, refer them to the corresponding verse in the Joseph Smith Translation, which reads, “No man hath seen God at any time, except them who believe” (1 John 4:12, footnote 12a). Point out that many prophets have seen God. See Exodus 33:9–11; John 6:46; Acts 7:55–56; Doctrine and Covenants 67:10–12; Moses 1:1–2; Abraham 3:11; Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17.
4. Youth discussion
Follow up on the attention activity with a more detailed discussion of how youth can show more love for their parents. Encourage class members to follow through with their ideas, and ask them to be ready to share their experiences next week.
5. Hymns about love
Choose a hymn about love (see under “Love” in the “Topics” listing of the hymnbook). Arrange to have a small group of class members sing the hymn, or sing the hymn as a class, read its words, or play a recording of it.
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