Friends of Lake Placid Branch Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In Jesus’s day, many people assumed that the publicans, or tax collectors, were dishonest and stole from the people. So because Zacchaeus, the chief publican, was wealthy, he may have been even more suspect. But Jesus looked on Zacchaeus’s heart. What does Luke 19:110 reveal about Zacchaeus’s heart?

If you had the opportunity to ask the Savior a question, what would it be? When a certain rich young man met the Savior for the first time, he asked, What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (Matthew 19:16). The Savior’s response showed both appreciation for the good things the young man had already done and loving encouragement to do more. When we ponder the possibility of eternal life, we may similarly wonder if there’s more we should be doing.

Heavenly Father rejoices when those who are lost are found. Have you ever wondered how Heavenly Father feels about those who have sinned or are otherwise lost? The Pharisees and scribes criticized Jesus for even associating with such people. In response, Jesus told three parables, found in Luke 15the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. As you read these parables, consider making a list of similarities and differences between them. For example, you could look for what was lost and why, how it was found, and how people reacted when it was found. What messages did Jesus have for those who are lostincluding those who don’t think they are lost? What messages did He have for people who seek those who are lost?

Although Jesus Christ came to bring peace [and] good will toward men (Luke 2:14), there was a division among the people because of him (John 7:43). People who witnessed the same events came to very different conclusions about who Jesus was. Some concluded, He is a good man, while others said, He deceiveth the people (John 7:12). When He healed a blind man on the Sabbath, some insisted, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day, while others aske...d, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? (John 9:16). Yet despite all the confusion, those who searched for truth recognized the power in His words, for never man spake like this man (John 7:46). When the Jews asked Jesus to tell us plainly whether he was the Christ, He revealed a principle that can help us distinguish truth from error: My sheep hear my voice, He said, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27). The Jews marveled that Jesus knew so much since He was not learned (see verse 15)at least, not in ways they were familiar with. In Jesus’s response, He taught a different way of knowing truth that is available to everyone, regardless of education or background. According to John 7:1417, how can you come to know that the doctrine Jesus taught is true? How has this process helped you develop your testimony of the gospel?

It is helpful to remember that the parable of the good Samaritan was Jesus’s way of answering a question: Who is my neighbour? As you read this parable, keep that question in mind. What answers do you find? By Jesus’s day, the animosity between the Jews and Samaritans had lasted for centuries. The Samaritans were descendants of Jews living in Samaria who had intermarried with Gentiles. The Jews felt that the Samaritans had become corrupted by their association with Gentiles... and had apostatized. Jews would travel miles out of their way to avoid passing through Samaria. (See also Luke 9:5254; 17:1118; John 4:9; 8:48.) To obtain eternal life, I must love God and love my neighbor as myself. Why do you think the Savior chose a Samaritan, someone who was hated by the Jews, as an example of compassion and loving one’s neighbor? What does this parable inspire you to do to show more mercy to others?