New Testament Week 4

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?

I love this parable, obeying the commandments for the young man came easy, except he could not put God 1^st.  He valued his riches more than being perfect in Christ.  When Christ told him to “sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven, and come follow me.”  I also love the Savior’s explanation to his disciples.  He says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. “  This visual makes me laugh, and I think we get to see a little of Christ’s personality here. 

• What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him?  

Treasure in heaven.

• 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).

                Jesus teaches that the last will be first and the first will be last.  The Savior understood that following him and being a Christian would bring persecution.  He also understood the great blessings that accompany faith.  Reading the teachings of the Savior are a great reminder that we need to pray daily for the Holy Ghost to assist us in making decisions.  I want to make sure I am putting God first in my life, and I know that if I pray for guidance, I will be prompted and inspired in my daily actions. 

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 in the morning	A penny a day	12	What they agreed upon
Third hour	A penny	9	What they agreed
Sixth hour	A penny	6	What was agreed
Ninth hour	A penny	3	What was agreed
Eleventh hour	A penny	1	What was agreed

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

• What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord’s kingdom?

        Heavenly Father is grateful to have us all in his kingdom, those that have just found the gospel will have the same blessings as those who have been in the gospel for a long amount of time. 

• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?

It shows that we all have the same value in the sight of God.

• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally?

I would say that the laborer who worked the full day was able to enjoy the knowledge that he was providing for his family, he enjoyed the blessings of having a job.  There is a comfort in being a member of the church, and being included in this blessing of comfort longer should be looked upon in a positive way.

Week 3

Week 3 Student Choice Assignment

·      How did you and what did you do to complete the assignment?

·      Why did you decide to do the assignment you did?

·      What do you think is the best thing about your assignment, and how do you think it could it be improved?

 

Unit One

Topic Choices (Choose One)

Choice 1: Matthew 14:14–21; 15:32–38. The Feeding of the Multitudes

1.    The Savior provided two similar miracles. As a summary of what took place, complete the following chart:

	Matthew 14:14-21	Matthew 15:32-38
How many people were present?	5000 men besides women and children	4000 men besides women and children
What did they need?	food	food
What were they able to offer in an effort to meet that need?	5 loaves and two fishes	7 loaves and a few fishes
What words or phrases describe the Savior's feeling toward the multitudes in their time of need?	compassion	compassion
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes?	The all ate and were filled	They did all eat and were filled

2.    In each story, the available food was insufficient to feed the multitude, yet with the help of the Lord the insufficiency was overcome. Read Romans 3:23 and ​explain in writing another way human effort is insufficient in receiving the glory of God. According to Ether 12:27, how does the Lord help us overcome this insufficiency?

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, this means we cannot return to our Father in Heaven without the help of the Savior. 

In Ether 12:27 I believe the Lord helps us by first helping us to be humble and see our own weaknesses.  If we have faith he will help us overcome our weaknesses and make them strengths. 

Unit Two

I chose Choice 2 because I liked the focus on spiritual traits we are required to have to receive blessings.  Many other denominations teach that simple faith is all that is required.  This teaches that we have more responsibility in our relationship with God.  I posted my answers on a blog. 

The best part of this assignment was the simple truths that are taught.  I don’t see a need for improvement. 

Choice 2: Matthew 17:14–21. The Savior Healed a Young Man 

1. Review Matthew 17:14–21, and list three things the Savior said were needed for the disciples to heal the man.

·         Faith

·         Prayer

·         Fasting

2. Read each of the following references. Next to the reference, write what it teaches about what is needed for miracles to happen.
• 3 Nephi 18:20 Ask in faith, must be a righteous desire, must be believing
• Doctrine and Covenants 50:29 Purified and clean through the atonement
• Doctrine and Covenants 42:48 Have faith to be healed

Week 2 ~

Share and Report Assignment week 2

Choice 2: Matthew 13:24-48 The Lord Often Taught with Parables

1.       In the Bible Dictionary read the first three paragraphs under the entry “parables” (pp 740-741) In your own words, write a definition of a parable.

A parable is a form of teaching.  It was most widely used by the Savior.  A parable requires higher understanding and is meant for those that are studying and seeking greater knowledge.  

2.       Read the following parables: parable of the tares (Matt 13:24-30); parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matt 13:31-33); parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (matt 13:44-46); parable of the gospel net (Matthew 13:47-50) Next to each of the following questions write the name for the parable that best answers that question.

·         What describes the future growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? (Parable of the leaven)

·         Why does the church send out so many missionaries? (Parable of the net)

·         How do you explain the remarkable growth of the church considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American frontier? (Parable of the mustard seed)

·         Why are some members of the church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the church? ( Parable of the treasure and the pearl of great price)

·         Why do some church members choose to leave the church?(Parable of the tares)

3. Write answers to the following questions.

Consider the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price ( see Matt. 13:47)

What sacrifices would you be willing to make to obtain the treasure of the gospel and what sacrifices have you or those you know already made for the gospel?

Since I already have the gospel and have been a member since childhood, I have made living by the commandments part of my routine.  Some of the things I do that others might struggle with are go to church every Sunday for 3 hours, and volunteer my time in a calling.  Time is a big sacrifice.  Another principle I obey is the law of tithing.  As a household we pay a tenth of what we make to the church.  This might seem as a sacrifice to some, but for us it has been a blessing.  Another sacrifice is that of friends and associates.  Because we follow the word of wisdom and don’t drink coffee, smoke or drink alcohol, we have missed out on some social experiences.  However, I don’t feel this is a sacrifice either, because those people that really care about us, chose activities that we can participate in. 

 What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea?

The net represents missionary work, and gathering Christ’s followers. 

 What does it mean to be gathered into the net?  To be gathered means to be baptized and actively participating in the gospel. 

What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away? (Matt 13:48-50) 

Heavenly Father is a perfect being, and unless we accept the Savior’s atonement and repent we will not be worthy to enter into the kingdom.  The righteous will be gathered and the unrighteous will be cast away.