Home » The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints » Sunday Preparation - Talks & Lessons » Gospel Doctrine New Testament Lesson 8 (The Sermon on the Mount: “A More Excellent Way”)
| Gospel Doctrine New Testament Lesson 8 [message #214] |
Fri, 18 February 2011 10:38  |
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Dragon
Messages: 499
Registered: June 2010
Location: Earth
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I must say, in reviewing this lesson, I am stunned at the number of huge subjects in this one lesson. Here are the concepts which could each take a full hour to expound and explore:
The Beatitudes
"Be ye therefore perfect"
Fulfillment of the Law of Moses
The Celestial law on Divorce
Lower Laws vs. Higher Laws
Laws of Performances and Ordinances vs. Laws of the Spirit and Intent
I could spend a full hour expounding on and asking questions about the specific Beatitudes given in the Sermon on the Mount. There is the definition of Beatitude vs. the English coincidence that it is similar to Be Attitudes (Jesus is teaching us about attitude). These are large concepts of Humility, Comfort in Mourning, Meekness, Merciful, Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness, Pure in Heart, Peacemakers, Praying for or Doing Good for Your Enemies. This could be the whole lesson, spending only five minutes on each concept.
I could spend a full hour discussing the commandment to be perfect. I would compare the form of the commandment in Matthew with the same commandment in 3 Nephi. Then there is the explanation of what it means to be perfect, and how it is achieved. This would lead into the discussion of Line Upon Line, and Precept Upon Precept. I could see this leading into a lengthy discussion, involving why we aren't given all knowledge at once, and why some people progress faster than others. Also, this would create a discussion about not judging others for perceived inequalities. As a wise Bishop once told me, there are three reasons people don't get blessings/trials/callings in this life.
1. They aren't ready for them.
2. They don't need them.
3. They are too busy with other blessings/trials/callings.
How are we to know the difference? There are many things which some learned in a previous life which negates the need for that person to experience that calling/blessing/trial in this life. Or perhaps they are just busy working on some other assignment from the Lord. A person's entire reason for coming into this world may be to put one other soul on the right path, or back on the right path. Who are we to say?
Or I could spend an hour discussing how the Law of Moses was fulfilled by Jesus Christ. It was a temporary law. This could move on to an interesting discussion about whether or not God gives laws which are only temporal. How does the law of Moses stack up against D&C 29:34?
Quote:"Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created."
Does this scripture mean someone other than God gave the Law of Moses? This is one aspect of this lesson which I'm not sure how to answer.
Then there is the discussion of Lower Laws and Higher Laws. Currently, here in the Telestial-like Kingdom of Earth, even Sons of Perdition are allowed to be here. But, in the near future, during the Millennium of Peace, only those who are compliant with the Telestial Laws will be allowed to live during that Terrestrial-Like state. Those laws would basically be covered by the 10 commandments, or the 2 commandments which Jesus showed summed them up. Can you imagine a society which could function with only two laws? If there were no further laws required than to Love God and Love your neighbor, and every judge in the land was clear on how to interpret those laws in each individual case, would that not be paradise?
And if I were teaching the adults, rather than the teenagers, I could image a very heated debate could ensue by bringing up the Celestial Law on divorce, that being it is not allowed. There would be complaints by some that divorce is necessary in cases of abuse, or infidelity. This would be easily countered reminding them it is a Celestial Law, which requires both parties already be keeping the Telestial and Terrestrial laws of the 10 commandments and the laws of Love. It could take a full hour to explain the concepts which some would question. After all, this is Sunday School, where people come to learn.
I look forward to hearing your suggestions on this lesson. Personally, I think I will print off the list above and ask the class which concept we should dive into.
- Dragon
- Dragon
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