Lessons on Forgiveness and Growth from John 8
Explore the powerful story of Jesus forgiving a sinful woman in John 8 and reflect on themes of repentance, growth, and judgment. Understand the importance of allowing others to repent, change, and grow, as demonstrated through insightful scriptures and teachings from religious leaders. Embrace the concept of forgiving others and allowing them space for transformation and improvement.
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Remember the time Ever been caught red-handed ?
John 8 1. Find out each others' names and then discuss 5 people in the scriptures that were sinners. 2. Read John 8:1-11. What was the scribes/ Pharisees intention? (By the way, where was the man?? See Deuteronomy 22:22-24) 3. Have you heard what Jesus may have written on the ground? (Why do you think He wrote on the ground?) 4. Why do you think that the religious people seem to be the first/quickest to condemn others? 5. Did Jesus forgive the lady in this story? Yes or No? 6. According to John 8:30 (and the JST of John 8:11), how did Jesus s actions and words affect the Jews?
John 8 (EXPANDED) 1. Find out each others' names and then discuss 5 people in the scriptures that were sinners. Read John 8:1-11. What was the scribes/ Pharisees intention? What was the Lord s intention? (What do you think He may have wrote on the ground?) 4. Why do you think that the religious people seem to be the first/quickest to condemn others? Read and mark John 8:12. 6. Did Jesus forgive the lady in this story? Yes or No? Have someone read D&C 58:42-43. Identify two elements of repentance 8. According to the Joseph Smith Translation of verse 11 (in the digital scriptures), what effect did the Savior s mercy have on the woman? 9. According to John 8:30, how did Jesus s actions and words affect the Jews? 10. How would you summarize John 8:31 32? 2. 3. 5. 7.
John 8 His command to her was, Go, and sin no more. He was directing the sinful woman to go her way, abandon her evil life, commit no more sin, transform her life. He was saying, Go, woman, and start your repentance; and he was indicating to her the beginning step to abandon her transgressions (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 165).
Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve. If something is buried in the past, leave it buried. Don t keep going back with your little sand pail and beach shovel to dig it up, wave it around, and then throw it at someone, saying, Hey! Do you remember this? Splat! Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, BYU Devotional, Jan 13, 2009 Who can testify of this principle?
Alma counselled his son Shiblon to bridle all [of his] passions, that [he] may be filled with love. Significantly, disciplining the natural man in each of us makes possible a richer, deeper, and more enduring love of God and of His children. Love increases through righteous restraint and decreases though impulsive indulgence. (Elder Bednar, April 2013)
Bridle your passions Is self-denial wise because something is wrong with our passions, or because something is right with our passions? Alma did not say eliminate or even suppress your passions, but bridle them harness, channel, and focus them. Why? Because discipline makes possible a richer, deeper love (Elder Bruce C. Hafen, The Belonging Heart [1994], 302). Isabel (Alma 39) lived near the borders of the land Sidon .
READ Alma 39:10-13 Alma 39:10 In what ways can seeking spiritual nourishment possibly from parents, Church leaders, siblings, or trusted friends help us to repent? Alma 39:11 What does it mean to suffer not yourself to be led away ? (You may need to explain that the word suffer means to allow.) Alma 39:12 What does it mean to refrain from iniquity? Alma 39:13 What do you think it means to turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength ?
Bridle your passions Romans 13:14 What does NO PROVISIONS mean? Overcoming addictions and temptations requires accountability for (1) time - if we are serious about overcoming a temptation, we should have ZERO unaccountable time (find friend app). (2) honesty (making confession if we ve slipped). (3) emotions (acknowledging that our choices hurt those around us).
Alma 39 Alma 39 By assigning such seriousness to a physical appetite so universally bestowed, what is God trying to tell us about its place in His plan for all men and women? Clearly among His greatest concerns regarding mortality are how one gets into this world and how one gets out of it. He has set very strict limits in these matters. Elder Holland Personal Purity, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 76 77).
Alma 39 Alma 39 In matters of human intimacy, you must wait! You must wait until you can give everything, and you cannot give everything until you are legally and lawfully married. To give illicitly that which is not yours to give is emotional Russian roulette. If you persist without the sanction of heaven, you run the terrible risk of such spiritual, psychic damage that you may undermine both your longing for physical intimacy and your ability to give wholehearted devotion to a later, truer love Elder Holland Personal Purity, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 76 77).
Alma 39 Alma 39 On your wedding day the very best gift you can give your eternal companion is your very best self clean and pure and worthy of such purity in return. Elder Holland Personal Purity, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 76 77).
There is nothing in this world as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman. (Elder Ballard) Young ladies have a profound influence on young, masculine behavior. Young men wear clothes they think you like; their hair will be cut to please you; you can control how fast they drive their cars; they will dress as you want them to (Elder David B. Haight).
GUYS, HOW CAN YOU HELP? Encourage girls by expressing gratitude for their worthy example. This will bless their future husband and children. Begin a private crusade to help young women understand how precious they are and how attractive they are when they magnify their feminine traits
Brothers, compliment your sisters. She may listen to you more than to her parents. Opening the door for her and building her self-esteem will help her find her real worth. I CHOOSE TO BE PURE (VIDEO)
What have Prophets taught about YOU? You are not as hopelessly flawed as you may think. If you are sometimes called weird , wear that distinction as a badge of honor and be happy that your light is shining brightly in this ever-darkening world! Embrace being different! You are the hope of Israel! With the Holy Ghost, you can see right through the culture that has smitten our society. (President Nelson, Youth Devotional June 3, 2019)
The pattern of early steady dating must be changed... The changing of this one activity would immediately eliminate a majority of the sins of our young folk. Teachings of President Spencer W. Kimball, 287-288 Refrain from going steady. Avoid steady dating with a young man prior to the time of his mission call. President Benson Ensign, Nov. 1986, 82 83 It is not a good idea for a young man and woman to begin steady dating until they have arrived at the marriageable age...There is plenty of time after high school to go steady. Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, 124 When you are young, do not get involved in steady dating. You boys who are in high school don t need this, and neither do the girls. President Hinckley Ensign, Nov. 1997, 51 Avoid going on frequent dates with the same person. (For The Strength of Youth Pamphlet)
Limitations of Physicality Sociality Physicality Handshake Acquaintance Friendship High Five Casual Dating Hugs and Flirtation Serious Dating Holding Hands/Kissing Engagement Lingering Kisses Marriage Intimacy
Limitations of Physicality Sociality Physicality Handshake Acquaintance Friendship High Five Casual Dating Hugs and Flirtation Serious Dating Holding Hands/Kissing Engagement Lingering Kisses Marriage Intimacy
Limitations of Physicality Sociality Physicality Handshake Acquaintance Friendship High Five Casual Dating Hugs and Flirtation Serious Dating Holding Hands/Kissing Engagement Lingering Kisses Marriage Intimacy
For The Strength of Youth Before marriage, do not participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person s body, with or without clothing. Do not do anything else that arouses sexual feelings. Pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit so that you can be clean and virtuous.
This topic could actually be taught in a two- word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following: Stop it! President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy", General Conference, Apr. 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-d_PIF-2Rg
Do you harbor a grudge against someone else? Do you gossip, even when what you say may be true? Do you exclude, push away, or punish others because of something they have done? Do you secretly envy another? Do you wish to cause harm to someone? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to apply the two-word sermon from earlier: stop it! President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy", General Conference, Apr. 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-d_PIF-2Rg
Adultery Consequences Case Study 2 Sam. 11, 12 Lusted, 2 Sam. 11:2 Acted, 2 Sam. 11:3-4 Reacted, 2 Sam. 11:5-27 Rebuked, 2 Sam. 12:1-12 Repented, Psalm 51 Don t forget 2 Samuel 11:1 Lost child, 2 Sam. 12:15-19 Troubled house Amnon, 2 Sam. 13 Absalom, 2 Sam. 15
To you is extended the peace and renewal of repentance available through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. In such serious matters the path of repentance is not easily begun or painlessly traveled. But the Savior of the world will walk that essential journey with you. He will strengthen you when you waver. He will be your light when it seems most dark. He will take your hand and be your hope when hope seems all you have left. His compassion and mercy, with all their cleansing and healing power, are freely given to all who truly wish complete forgiveness and will take the steps that lead to it. Jeffrey R. Holland in Conference Report, Oct. 1998,
1. What is something you could go-and-do today that would bring you closer to Jesus Christ? 2. NEXT LESSON: Think about an act of service someone did for you.
