Week 7 Student Choice Assignment

Choice 5: John 13:34–35. A New Commandment

1. According to John 13:34–35, how can others know if we are disciples of Jesus Christ? If ye have love one to another.
2. List some specific ways a disciple of Jesus Christ might respond in the following situations (in accordance with John 13:34–35):
• Someone you know is ridiculed or made fun of because of the way he or she dresses. You stick up for that person and show love for all men by helping the people making fun of her that she is wrong.
• You see a new person at church. I would sit by this person and try to make them feel welcomed in church.
3. Ponder the question, “Do people know that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ by the way I treat them?” Select a family member, coworker, or neighbor and make a short list of things you can do during the coming week to show him or her the kind of love the Savior would show. Then follow through with what you wrote down. I can do better at not judging others, being kind to those I don’t know, reaching out to those in need of help, saying nice things to people around me.

Choice 1: Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1-2. The Savior’s Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane

1.   Review Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46, making a list of words and phrases that describe the Savior’s suffering. Include in your list clarifications provided in the footnotes.

·         Exceeding sorrow-Matt 26:37

·         Fell on His face-Matt 26:39

·         Betrayed-Matt 26:45

·         And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; ^atake away this ^bcup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.-Mark 14:36

·         Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.-Mark 14:41

·         And being in an ^aagony he prayed more earnestly: ^band his sweat was as it were great drops of ^cblood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:44

2.   Write additional insights about the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane found in the following resources:

·         Mosiah 3:7; Alma 7:11-13; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19 These scriptures explain a lot more about the atonement and what the Savior went through then the ones in the New Testament do, they really build upon what the bible teaches and help to explain more what He went through.  

·         The institute student manual commentary, “To What Extent Was the Atonement Completed in the Garden of Gethsemane?” (p. 173) It is finished was Christ last words on the cross, his crucifixion was the end of the atonement.

·         The institute student manual commentary for Luke 22:44, “And Being in an Agony, He Prayed More Earnestly” (pp.173-74) “The suffering of the Son of God was not simply the suffering of personal death; for in assuming the position that He did in making an atonement for the sins of the world He bore the weight, the responsibility, and the burden of the sins of all men, which, to us, is incomprehensible.”

·         The institute student manual commentary for Luke 22:44, “And His Sweat Was As It Were Great Drops of Blood Falling Down to the Ground” (p. 174) “It was not physical pain, nor mental anguish alone, that caused Him to suffer such torture as to produce an extrusion of blood from every pore; but a spiritual agony of soul such as only God was capable of experiencing.”

3.   Read Matthew 26:36 and the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 26:36, “Then Cometh Jesus … unto a Place Called Gethsemane” (pp. 172-73). Write a paragraph about how the meaning of Gethsemane adds insight to what the Savior experienced there. “John refers to the spot as a garden, from which designation we may regard it as an enclosed space of private ownership. That it was a place frequented by Jesus when He sought retirement for prayer, or opportunity for confidential converse with the disciples, is indicated by the same writer.”

4.   Write response to each of the following questions, looking for lessons you can apply to your own life from the example of the Savior in Gethsemane:

·         What were the Savior’s disciples doing while He was praying? What had the Lord taught the Apostles in Matthew 26:41? What does His example teach about how to be obedient even when “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak?” How does Doctrine and Covenants 10:5 apply to this verse? The disciples were sleeping while the Savior was praying and going through the atonement. He taught the disciples to watch and pray so they don’t enter into temptation. He teaches that we need to be alert spiritually so we are not deceived by the flesh of men. We need to pray always that we may come off conqueror that we may conqueror Satan; Heavenly Father will help us if we ask.

·         Read Mosiah 15:7; 3 Nephi 11:11; Doctrine and Covenants 19:19. Write the phrases from these verses that describe what motivated the Savior to “drink the bitter cup.” The will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. He drunk the bitter cup that the father gave him. He glorified the Father in taking upon him the sins of the world. His Father asked him to do something, and He did it. There is no greater example of following God than this.

·         Write your thoughts about the Savior’s use of the word nevertheless in Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42. In each of these accounts, what did the Savior initially ask for? What did He say next, using the word nevertheless? What does it require to submit one’s will to the Father in this way, no matter how painful or difficult the outcome might be? When have you followed the “nevertheless” pattern the Savior exemplified in these verses by submitting to Heavenly Father’s will even though it was very difficult?  The Savior initially asks that the bitter cup pass from him, He was in pain and He knew that is was going to get worse. He asked if He could stop, but then he said not my will, but thou will be done. It requires lots of faith and prayer to submit your will to the Lord’s especially in this way, it is impossible for anyone other than Christ to do the atonement and it would be so hard to accomplish. We can follow Christ and submit our will to him by listening and following Christ and Heavenly Father in no matter what they ask us to do.

·         According to Luke 22:44, as the Savior’s agony became more intense, how did His prayer change? Do you feel more like praying or less like praying when you are suffering? When has it made a difference in your suffering to have turned to the Lord with more earnest prayer? He prayed more earnestly when the suffering became more intense. I think it is second nature for me to pray more when I am suffering. It has made a huge difference in my life and I am blessed for it, praying always helps me get through hard times.

·         Reflect on what you have learned about the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane. Write a paragraph about lessons you can apply to your own life from the example of the Savior in Gethsemane. I have learned that prayer will get you through anything. It is important to pray when we are suffering so the Lord will help us through and bless us more. Also I learned that we need to be more willing to do the Lords will and not ours, if Christ suffered as much as He did and He was able to submit to the Lord, we can do the same.

Week Six Student Choice Assignment

Choice 4: John 13:1–17; Luke 22:24–30; Mark 10:43–45. The Savior Taught the Apostles about Leadership

1. Study John 13:1–17; Luke 22:24–30; Mark 10:43–45. Write a paragraph or two about how the application of these teachings makes leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ different from what the world usually describes as leadership.

In John we learned from Jesus washing the disciples feet that we need to serve those that we are over. We have been given the example and we must follow Him. All of the other scriptures followed suit and gave examples of how we must serve those that we are leaders over, if we love those that we are over and serve them then we can be a better leader.

2. Write a paragraph or two about a time when one of your Church leaders or someone in the scriptures served and led in the way Jesus Christ taught.

My young woman’s leader growing up was the best example of this. She did so much to help us learn and grow. She was constantly serving us, even when I’m sure it was hard at times she always put us first and it really made a difference in my life and the lives of the other young women.  

Choice 2: John 14:15–17, 26–27; 15:26–27; 16:7–8, 13–14. The Savior’s Instructions about the Holy Ghost

1. As you study the following verses, make a list of what the Savior taught about (1) what the Holy Ghost does and (2) what disciples must do to receive the Holy Ghost:
• John 14:15–17: pray for the holy Ghost, he will comfort you.
• John 14:26–27: Teaches us, brings peace to us.
• John 15:26–27: witness of Christ
• John 16:7–8: comforter
• John 16:13–14: spirit of truth.
2. Add to your list above as you study the following resources:
• Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “The Holy Ghost Brings Man to His Fullest Potential” (p. 168)
• Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “As a Messenger of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost Teaches Faithful Members” (p. 168)
• Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost” (p. 704)
3. Review your list of what the Holy Ghost does. Then write responses to the following tasks:
• Describe how the Holy Ghost helped the Apostles fulfill their missions after the Savior’s death and resurrection. The Holy Ghost helped the Apostles fulfill their missions after the Savior’s death and resurrection because through the Holy Ghost they were guided to know what to do. Jesus lead them through the spirit to know what to say and what to do.
• Write a paragraph about a time when the Holy Ghost blessed you in one of inspired you. The Holy Ghost has blessed and inspired me through all sorts of things, with its help it has knowing where to go for school, knowing who to marry, and figuring out my day to day activities.

Lesson 5 Student Choice Assignment

 Unit One

Topic Choices (Choose One)

Choice 1: Overview of the Last Week of the Savior’s Mortal Ministry

Read the information in the institute student manual about “The Last Days of Jesus’ Mortal Mission” (pp. 135–37). Then fill in the following chart with key events that took place during the Savior’s final week of mortality:

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7 (Sabbath)	Day of the Resurrection
Rode into Jerusalem on a Donkey, He was greeted with a multitude and palm branches. He went to the temple as well.	Went to the temple and kicked out the money traders and told the people the temple was only a house of worship.	Jesus teaches in parables to the public. He only teaches to the 12 after that. People plot for his death.	The record of the gospel writers is silent on the proceedings of this day.	Passover dinner (last supper). Suffered in Gethsemane for the atonement. Jesus had an illegal trial.	Jesus was charged with two crimes. Jesus was crucified.2 disciples removed His body off the cross and buried him in the tomb.	This was the Jewish Sabbath. Jesus’ body remained in the tomb, but in spirit he ministered in the realm of departed spirits.	Had the gospel ended with Jesus’ burial, there would be no gospel. The great message of these testators is that Jesus was risen and was seen again by many witnesses. Jesus Christ emerged alive from the tomb, and appeared before Mary.

Unit Two

Topic Choices (Choose One)

Choice 1: Joseph Smith—Matthew. The Savior Taught About Future Events
*Note: Joseph Smith—Matthew is found in the Pearl of Great Price.

1. Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:4 contains questions that the Savior’s disciples asked Him. Verses 5–20 contain the answer the Savior gave to their first question regarding the destruction of the temple, and verses 21–55 contain His answer to their other questions concerning His Second Coming and the destruction of the wicked. Read Joseph Smith—Matthew. Then fill in the following chart. After each item you list, write the verse number where you found that item.

	Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (JS-M 1:5-20)	The Second Coming of Jesus Christ (JS-M 1:21-55)
Events to Occur	Men will be deceived. Good will be hated. Betrayal. False prophets. Abominations.	False prophets to deceive the elect. Nations rise against nations. Love of men waxed cold.
Promises to the Righteous	Remain steadfast will not be overcome. The elect will be saved.	His words shall not pass away. The Son of man will appear.

2. Study 1 Nephi 22:16–22; Doctrine and Covenants 97:22, 25. Then write a statement that would give hope to a person who worries about the Second Coming. If we keep the commandments we will be blessed and survive the great and the terrible.

Week 4 Student Choice Assignment

Choice 1: Luke 10:1–24. “The Lord Appointed Other Seventy Also”

1. Review Luke 10:1–24. Based on these verses, write a summary of the Lord’s counsel and instructions He gave the seventy. He gave the instructions to the seventy to go out and be missionaries and preach the gospel to the world. I liked verse 16 where Christ was telling his seventy that if people receive them, they receive Christ, and if people don’t receive them, they don’t receive Christ. The seventy is important to Christ and is very needed to spread the gospel.
2. Articles of Faith 1:6 states, “We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church.” Using the principles taught from Luke 10:1–2, 8–9, 17–20, write a paragraph that supports this Article of Faith. The seventy that Christ first established is the same seventy that we have on the earth now, of course it is different people, but they have the same purpose and the same instructions as they did when Christ gave it to the first original seventy.
3. Go to the Church’s scripture website and read the topic of “Seventy” in the Guide to the Scriptures. Describe in one or two sentences how the scriptures show the existence of this office in the priesthood. The seventy are special witnesses of Jesus Christ and they are called to preach the gospel and help spread it throughout the world.

Choice 1: Matthew 19:16–30; 20:1–16. Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

1. Review Matthew 19:16–30 and write responses to the following questions and tasks:
• What indications can you find that suggest why the young man decided not to follow the Savior? How does Matthew 6:19–24 help explain his choice? He decided not to follow the Savior because he didn’t want to give up all of his belongings. Those scriptures help explain his choice by telling us that it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle then a rich man to go into heaven.
• What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him? That they would receive hundred fold and will inherit everlasting life.
• Based on the Savior’s response to Peter, write a paragraph that could help you put the Lord first in your life (see also the additional details in Mark 10:17–31). With God anything is possible, if we are humble of what we have and we are willing to give them up for Christ then we can put the Lord first and be able to ever the kingdom of heaven.
2. Review the parable in Matthew 20:1–16 and consider what rewards come to those who serve in the Lord’s kingdom. Complete the chart below, filling in the blanks with information you find in Matthew 20:

The hour the laborers were hired	How much the man agreed to pay	Hours worked	How much they were actually paid
Early morning	1 penny a day	All day	1 penny
Third hour	Whatsoever is right I will give you	9 hours	1 penny
Sixth hour	Whatsoever is right I will give you	6 hours	1 penny
Ninth hour	Whatsoever is right I will give you	3 hours	1 penny
Eleventh hour	Whatsoever is right I will give you	I hour	1 penny

3. Respond in writing to each of the following questions:

• What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord’s kingdom? It doesn’t matter when we joined the church or start laboring, we will all be regarded as the same.
• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church? That they will only be blessed for what they do now, not what they didn’t do before.
• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally? We are all treated the same, it doesn’t matter if you are a prophet or a new member, God loves and treats us all the same.

Week Three Student Coice Assignment

Choice 3: Matthew 14:22–33. Walking on the Sea

1.    Review Matthew 14:22–33. Identify in writing what the reaction of the Apostles was when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them. The apostles were troubled when they say the Savior walking on the water. They thought He was a spirit.

2.    What did Peter’s response indicate about him? That if Jesus would let him walk on water Peter knew he could.

3.    According to Matthew 14:30, why did Peter begin to sink? He was afraid.  

4.    What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses describes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request? He called out to Jesus and said Lord save me! Jesus then immediately stretched out his hand and helped Peter.

5.    Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:67. Write a paragraph describing what principle from this verse relates to what Peter did to successfully walk on the water. How can this same principle be applied to your life to assist you in walking over the storms of life? If Peter would have had his eye single to the glory of God, then he would have had the faith to walk on the water. When we have the light of Christ we can comprehend all things. Peter couldn’t comprehend Christ walking on water and he didn’t have faith in himself and in Christ.

Choice 3: Matthew 18:1–14. “Become as Little Children” 

1. Review Matthew 18:3–4 and Doctrine and Covenants 78:17–18. Explain in writing the ways we are like little children. In these verses, how does the Lord say He will help us? We are like little children because the Lord is leading us along our path. When we are righteous Heavenly Father can direct us on choices we should make.
2. Read Mosiah 3:19 and list the ways in which we are to become as little children. We need to put off the natural man and become a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and become as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Week 2 Student Choice Assignment

Choice 2: Matthew 8-9; Mark 2. Miracles Are Evidence of Faith and God's Power 

It always amazes me when I read about the miracles done by Christ, from doing this assignment I have learned that when we show faith Christ will heal us of anything we need.

Reference	Miracles of the Lord	Who Demonstrated Faith
Matthew 8:1-4	Cleansed a man of being a leper, he came to Jesus and asked to be healed.	The leper being cleansed demonstrated faith.
Matthew 8:5-13	A centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant who was sick with palsy. Jesus told the man he would heal the servant if the centurion took Jesus to him.	The centurion showed great faith when he told Jesus that He could not go into his home because his house was not worthy of the Lords presence, instead he asked Jesus to speak the word only and his servant would be healed. In verse 10 it says "When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."
Matthew 8:14-15	Peter's wife's mother was sick with a fever, Jesus healed her.	Once she was healed she showed great faith by ministering to people about Jesus.
Matthew 8:16	Many people that were possessed with the devil were brought unto Jesus to heal them.	Jesus healed them and cast out the devils that were in them. Those that were healed showed great faith and the people that brought the inflected also had faith that Jesus could heal them.
Matthew 8:23-27	His disciples asked Jesus to calm the waves and the winds while they were fishing because they were afraid.	Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves, the disciples were marveled by the way that Jesus was able to control the seas. They demonstrated faith by asking the Savior to help them.
Matthew 8:28-34	Two men were possessed with  devils. They came to Jesus and asked him to cast out the devils into a heard of swine.	The men had faith by asking the Lord to heal them and get rid of the devils.
Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34	A woman with a blood issue was wanting to be healed, she touched the robe that Christ was wearing and was healed.	She had faith that if she just touched Christ's clothes she could be whole again. Once she did and Christ knew someone had touched him, she was worried, but Christ told her that because of her faith she was healed.
Matthew 9:27-31	Two blind men came to Jesus and asked if He would have mercy on his soul and heal them. Jesus healed them of their blindness.	Before Jesus healed the blind men He asked if they believed that He could heal them, they both answered yes. Because of their faith their eyes were opened and they were healed.
Mark 2:1-12	A person sick with palsy was stuck in bed and could not move. Men asked Jesus to heal him. Many murmured when they saw Christ forgiving the palsy man of his sins. Christ then told them the palsy to arise and walk.	The men who brought Christ to the palsy had great faith that Christ could heal him, as well as the man with palsy had faith and was blessed because he believed in what Christ said about his sins being forgiven.

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Choice 1: Matthew 11:1–19; Luke 7:18–35. John the Baptist

1.    Read Matthew 11:1–19 and Luke 7:18–35. What did the two disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus Christ? The Savior told them to go back to John and tell what they saw and heard. After reading these accounts, explain three things you would have told John if you had been with those two men. The disciples asked Jesus if He was the one that John has been prophesying about, they wanted to know if he was the Messiah of the world. If I was the disciples of john I would have told him that it was Jesus that he was looking for. I would tell him about the miracles he preformed, I also would have told him about what Christ said about John being the greatest prophet.

2.    Read the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 11:2–3, “Did John Doubt That Jesus Was the Messiah?” (p. 66). Explain why John wanted his disciples to go to Jesus Christ.John wanted his disciples to go to to see if Jesus was the messiah because he wanted them to see for themselves and gain a testimony for themselves about Jesus Christ.

3.    Read the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 11:11, “No Greater Prophet than John the Baptist” (p. 66). What did the Savior say about John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11 and Luke 7:28? Provide three reasons given by Joseph Smith why John the Baptist is considered among the greatest prophets.
“First. He was entrusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Whoever had such a trust committed to him before or since? No man.
“Secondly. He was entrusted with the important mission, and it was required at his hands, to baptize the Son of Man. Whoever had the honor of doing that? Whoever had so great a privilege and glory?
“Thirdly. John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. The Jews had to obey his instructions or be damned, by their own law; and Christ Himself fulfilled all righteousness in becoming obedient to the law which he had given to Moses on the mount, and thereby magnified it and made it honorable, instead of destroying it. The son of Zacharias wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory from the Jews, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven, and these three reasons constitute him the greatest prophet born of a woman.”

4.    What does John 3:30 suggest about John the Baptist and his attitude toward the Savior? Briefly describe how we could apply a similar attitude in our own lives. He was a very obedient man, he knew that even though he was an important prophet, that Jesus is more important then he was. He loved Christ and he wanted others to know Christ and come unto Him. We can have a similar attitude by putting Christ above all else in our own lives.