Week 7: Unit Two: Luke 16-19: Parables and Accounts That Teach Eternal Truths

1. Study the following parables and accounts along with the accompanying commentary from the institute student manual. Describe in writing what you feel is the major principle the Lord wants us to understand from each of the parables:
• Luke 16:1–12, the parable of the unjust steward. “The Children of This World Are in Their Generation Wiser Than the Children of Light” (pg. 124).
1. The most important thing in this parable is to always be a just steward of all things in our life. Whether it be with our money or even with out time.
• Luke 16:19–31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. “What Do We Learn About the Spirit World from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?” (pgs. 124–25).
1. We can learn from this parable that we must always be converted to the gospel instead of being converted to the riches of the world. It should not take some big sign to convert us to the gospel, it is through the daily things and efforts that we make that enable us to be believers in Christ, not the huge signs.
• Luke 17:11–19, the ten lepers. “Why Were the Ten Lepers to Show Themselves to the Priests?” and “Were There Not Ten Cleansed?” (pg. 130). See also the Bible Dictionary, “Leprosy” (pg. 724).
1. We must always be grateful for the amazing blessings that our Father in Heaven has given us. If we are not grateful then those blessing will be taken from us at any moment and if we are grateful then we will be given even more blessings.
• Luke 18:1–8, the parable of the unjust judge. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Unjust Judge?” (pg. 131).
1. The main principle in this is that we must have the right reason for asking for things and they must be for a righteous reason and not for a secular or unrighteous reason.
• Luke 18:9–14, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican?” (pg. 131).
1. There is always justice served no matter what but with God’s plan it is vital that mercy is achieved as well. You cannot have a perfect system of one without the other.

Week 7: Unit 1: Matthew 19-20: 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?
1. The indications that I can find that suggest why the young man decided not to follow the Savior is because he was not willing to get rid of his riches if that is what it took to follow God and that was what he asked for. It helps a little bit to explain his choice in those verses because he treasured his riches more then he treasured following father in Heaven.
• What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him?
1. That we will have treasure in Heaven of all the things we could ever want and even more. We shall sit on a throne of his glory, we shall also sit upon twelve thrones. We will also be able to receive 100 fold of what we give in this life and shall inherit eternal 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).
1. With God all things are possible as listed in those verses which brings home the idea that when we put God first in our lives then we can literally do all things, no matter what it may be. As a result of this, to me it is really a not brainer as to where your priorities should be. For every effort that we put in, heavenly father will also increase that 100 fold in the eternities. Yes another reason to put the Lord first in our lives because of the increased blessings we will receive. Lastly, as we put the Lord first we are promised that everything else in our lives will fall into place and we will be blessed in all other areas of our lives.
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
They were hired early in the morning.	He agreed to pay them a penny a day.	11 hours	1 penny each

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

• What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord’s kingdom?
1. We must always be moving forth the work of the Lord and be serving the lord at all times and in all things. As we put the Lord first we will be tremendously blessed and have everything we could every want.
• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?
1. This gives a message of comfort for converts to the church in that if they become converted and do as God asks and always put him first then they have as much of a chance as anyone to be able to obtain eternal life.
• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally?
1. It is not unfair because they all agreed to the same thing and if they did not help others to achieve that goal then they could not get there themselves.

Week 6: Unit Two: Choice 2: John 14-16: The Saviors 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—
1. The HG is a comforter and a spirit of truth
2. We must pray in order to receive the HG
• John 14:26–27
1. The HG shall teach you all things and bring things to your remembrance along with giving you peace.
2. We must not listen to the world around us no matter what so we can hear the HG.
• John 15:26–27
1. The HG shall testify of Heavenly Father
2. We must bear witness of Christ in order to have the HG
• John 16:7–8
1. The HG will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.
2. We must hear the HG when he comes and be willing to accept his words.
• John 16:13–14
1. The HG will guide you into all truth and shall show you of things to come. He shall glorify God in all things.
2. We must always be willing to hear the voice of the HG and be willing to be prompted and listen to that voice.
3. Acts as a cleansing agent to purify a person and sanctify him from all sin.
4. We must be baptized to receive the HG
5. The HG knows all things and can teach all things
6. Can lead one to know of future events
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)

Added to this above at the end of the last verses.

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 Saviors death and resurrection because he guided them in many ways. First, he guided them to being able to know what people needed to be taught the true gospel and to know what they needed to hear. Second, he allowed them to be able to speak against and reprove the sin that was in the world at that time and rejoice in the righteousness of those around them. Third, he comforted them in there times of trial and needs so that they could know of the love the Father has for them so they could continue his work.

• Write a paragraph about a time when the Holy Ghost blessed you in one of the ways you listed above. Give an example of how the Holy Ghost has inspired you.

The Holy Ghost has helped me a lot in my life but the biggest way that comes to mind is in the last 9-10 months. About 10 months ago my then husband came to me and decided that he did not want to be married to me anyone. I was left devastated and not knowing where to turn and was given the impression to turn to my Father in Heaven to find peace and guidance. As I did this through daily scripture study and prayer, weekly or twice a week temple attendance and fasting 1-3 times a week. For several months I continued doing these things and as a result I was blessed with an extreme increase of the spirit and a peace and comfort that could not have been brought by anything else but the Holy Ghost. I was able to get through this difficult time of my then husband leaving me to find a better life full of the Holy Ghost and the peace, love and comfort that is given to me every single day. I am very much healed from this experience but I still have my moments that are difficult and it is my renewed strength and peace that I gain from the Holy Ghost that allows me to endure a situation that was not brought on by any choice that I ever made.

Week 6: Unit One: Choice 5: A New Commandment

1. According to John 13:34–35, how can others know if we are disciples of Jesus Christ?

Others can know if we are disciples of Jesus Christ if we love one another as Jesus loves us. So we can know if others are disciples if we all love one 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. 
1. Take them aside and reassure them of who you know them to be in a positive way and tell them how great that you think that they are. Do something extra nice for them like take them to ice cream or go out of your way to compliment something that they are doing or wearing or the kind of person that they are.
• You see a new person at church.
1. Go up and introduce yourself to them and be extremely friendly.
2. Ask them if they would like to go to Sunday school or Relief Society with you so that they are not by themselves anymore.
3. Invite them to an activity or to meet some of your friends that you have at 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.

·      Continue to take Alyssa to work every morning while her car is broken and she waiting on the parts.

·      Offer to take her anywhere else she needs to go or let her borrow my car

·      Write her a nice note about what a good person she is and why I appreciate her

·      Take her to lunch this week while we are working one day or surprise her with one of her favorite treats.