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Gospel Doctrine Lesson Sixteen Purpose: To help class members
have a greater understanding
and appreciation of Jesus Christ as the light of
the world
I was blind, now I see
Shortly before declaring, I am the light of the world (John 9:5)
Jesus gave sight to a man who was born blind. When asked why this
man
had been born blind Jesus responded, That the works of God
should be made manifest in him (1 John 9:3) Just like the man born
blind,
we too have been born with disabilities. The hard part is
admitting it. Our disabilities may be physical, emotional or
spiritual. Whatever they
are, God has given them to us to how his glory. Think about your
personal strengths and weaknesses. How has God used your
disabilities
or weakness to manifest His works?
Why Clay?
Throughout the scriptures clay is used to represent our human
state; think of the parable of the potter and
the clay in Jeremiah 18. When the Lord smears clay over this
man's eyes he is teaching us that there is
something hindering the man's sight, something in addition to
his physical blindness. The clay of the mans
fallen human nature is also a hindrance to his seeing clearly,
specifically his seeing spiritual truth. Jesus
instructs the man to wash his eyes in the pool Siloam, which
translated means one who is sent. When the man washes his eyes in
water (Remember, Jesus is the living water) his sight, both
physical and spiritual returns and he is able to see clearly. Mark
the progression of this
mans testimony in your scriptures. See verses 11, 17, 33 and
38.
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Jesus is Good Shepherd John 10:1-15; 25-28
WHEN I SEE a flock of sheep I see exactly that, a flock. A
rabble of
wool. A herd of hooves. I don't see a sheep. I see sheep. All
alike. None different. That's what I see.
But not so with a shepherd. To him every sheep is different.
Every face is special. Every face has a name.
The shepherd knows his sheep. When we see a crowd, we see
exactly
that, a crowd. Filling a stadium or flooding a mall. When we see
a
crowd, we see people, not persons, but people. A herd of humans.
A
flock of faces. That's what we see. But not so with the
Shepherd. To him every face is different. Every
face is a story. The Shepherd knows his sheep. He
knows each one by name. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your
name. And he will never forget it.. He tellls us in Isaiah 49:16,
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. Quite a
thought, isn't it? Your name on God's hand. Your name on God's
lips. it may be
difficult for you to believe that God knows your name.
But he does. Written on his hand. Spoken by his mouth. Whispered
by
his lips. Your name.
What does it mean to you that Jesus calls to you personally
and
intimately?
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Qualities of a Shepherd
In the east, shepherds often brought their flocks into one
central sheepfold every evening. Typically a half-a-dozen flocks
gathered
together in a single pen and were guarded by a porter or
gatekeeper. In the morning, the shepherds returned and each called
his own sheep. Even thought the flocks had been mingled together,
each flock knew its own shepherds voice and would follow it and no
other. How can you more fully tune out the other voices present in
the world and
only focus on the voice of our shepherd?
Shepherds in Israel stood at the entrance of the sheepfold and
inspected each sheep as it entered, treating injuries as
needed.
After the sheep were gathered in the enclosure for the night,
one of them would lie down to sleep in the entrance, barring the
way so
predators or thieves could not hurt the sheep. The Saviors
statement, I am the door, makes clear that He was willing to lay
down His life for the sheep (John 10:7, 15). What does it mean to
you that Jesus himself is watching out for your pains and
injuries
keeps guard over you at night?
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What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of
them, doth not leave the ninety and nine
in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he
find it? John 15:4
Learning Through Music
Like most of you doing this worksheet, I am one of the ninety
and nine. I go to church, I study my scriptures, I do my best
to
follow the teachings of the prophets. I do whatever calling I am
asked to do. I am an average latter
day saint seeking to know my Savior. Almost 15 years ago I head
a
song by LDS singer/songwriter Michael McLean, that touched me on
a very deep level. I wanted to shared it with you today and remind
you, though you may blend in at church, your Savior sees you and
loves you. After
reading the lyrics to this song, write your testimony of the
Saviors love for you individually.
Ninety and Nine Lyrics Michael McLean
I am one of the ninety and nine Im not perfect but basically
Im
doing fine I have not lost my way, I have not
gone astray Im just one of the ninety and
nine I am here in the heart of the fold Im not mindless but I
try to do
as Im told
Im not tempted to run and become the lost one
I am here in the heart of the fold. So why is my shepherd coming
this way
toward me? Hes holding his arms out and hes calling
my name Yes hes calling my name! But how, how
can this be? Im just one of the ninety and nine
I have stumbled and fallen, but Ive kept in line
Im not one he must seek; Im not all that unique
Im just one of the ninety and nine. So why is my shepherd
treating me like a
lost lam? Hes searching to find me And hes holding me now, yes,
hes holding
me now And teaching me who I am
So why am I feeling like Im the only one here. Its like Im his
favorite
And he takes me aside, and he sweetly confides
These remarkable words in my ear You are one of the ninety and
nine
Have you any idea how brightly you shine? You are safe in this
fold, and its time you
are told That I know where youve been so I know
where youll be Because all of your life youve been
following me You are more than just one of the sands
of the sea Or just one of the ninety and nine
You are mine, you are mine, you are mine, you are mine.
I am one of the ninety and nine.