Lesson 4: Jesus Christ Is the Son of Heavenly Father

Primary 7: New Testament, (1997), 12–14

Purpose

To help the children understand that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh.

Preparation

1. Prayerfully study Matthew 1:18–25 and Luke 1:26–38, 2:1–20. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account (see “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii).
2. Additional reading: John 3:16–17, Alma 22:14, Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19, and Gospel Principles, chapter 11.
3. Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
4. Materials needed:
1. a. A Bible or a New Testament for each child.
2. b. Pictures 7-1, Jesus the Christ (Gospel Art Picture Kit 240; 62572); 7-3, The Birth of Jesus (Gospel Art Picture Kit 200; 62116); 7-4, The Announcement of Christ’s Birth to the Shepherds (Gospel Art Picture Kit 202; 62117); and 7-5, Family with a Baby (62307).

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Display picture 7-5, Family with a Baby. Ask the children the following questions:

• How do you think these parents feel to have this new baby?
• Where did this baby’s spirit live before it was born?
• Who is its earthly mother? Who is its earthly father? Who is the Father of its spirit?

Explain that, just like this baby, each of us has an earthly father and mother and that Heavenly Father is also the Father of our spirits.

Display the picture Jesus the Christ.

• Who is Jesus’ mother? Who is Jesus’ Father?

Help the children understand that Jesus is different from us because Heavenly Father is the father of Jesus’ earthly body. Tell them that this lesson will teach them more about Jesus’ birth.

Scripture Account

Teach the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus from the scriptures listed in the “Preparation” section, using pictures where appropriate. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see“Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Help the children understand that Heavenly Father is the Father of Jesus Christ’s spirit body and also of his physical body.

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

• What did Heavenly Father’s angels tell Mary and Joseph about Jesus before he was born? (Matthew 1:19–23; Luke 1:30–33, 35.) Why?
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Luke 1:
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
• Why do you think the angels appeared to the shepherds? (Luke 2:9–14.) (To witness to the shepherds that Heavenly Father’s Only Begotten Son had been born in Bethlehem.)
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
• What do you think the shepherds told people about Jesus? (Luke 2:15–20.)
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
• Why is Jesus called the Only Begotten of the Father? (Jesus is the only person born in mortality whose physical father is Heavenly Father.) Explain that as Mary’s husband, Joseph was chosen to be the man who would help teach and raise Jesus.
• How does Jesus’ relationship with Heavenly Father differ from our relationship with Heavenly Father?
• Why was it important for Jesus’ mother to be mortal? Help the children understand that because Mary was mortal, Jesus was also mortal and could die for us. Also help the children understand that because Heavenly Father is the father of Jesus’ physical body, Jesus did not have to die (see John 5:26 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;; 10:17–18)

17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.. He chose to suffer for our sins and overcome death (see Alma 22:14 14 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king.
; D&C 19:16–19). 16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they wouldrepent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

1. Ask the boys to imagine what it might have been like to be Joseph. Ask the girls to imagine what it might have been like to be Mary. Have them tell you what they might have thought when the angel came to visit them. Ask them what they might have felt when they were told they would be the earthly parents of the Savior.
2. Have each child look up one of the following scriptures, where Jesus is referred to as the Only Begotten Son: John 1:14; 3:16–18;1 John 4:9; Jacob 4:5, 11; Alma 5:48; 12:33–34; Doctrine and Covenants 29:42, 46; 93:11; and Moses 1:6. (If you have more than nine children in the class, you can assign two children to a scripture.) When the children have finished this activity, they should understand that the title Only Begotten Son tells us that Jesus is the only person born on this earth who is the physical son of Heavenly Father.
3. Ask the children to tell you something that they know about Jesus that is important to them.
4. Review the first article of faith with the children.
5. Have the children sing or read “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook,p. 34).

Conclusion

Testimony

Bear testimony of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that he is Heavenly Father’s Only Begotten Son, or the only person born on earth whose physical father was Heavenly Father. Testify that Jesus is our Savior. Encourage the children to study and pray to gain a testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savior.