Jesus Christ: The Living Christ
By Deborah Pace Rowley
Progressive Family Home Evening
For this lesson, the family will be progressing from room to room as they read the statement by the first Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles called The Living Christ. Prepare ahead by getting a bag for each person. This can be as simple as a plastic bag or as elaborate as a small fabric bag with a draw string. Attach a label that says “Symbols of the Savior.” Gather enough of the following seven items so that each person can have one to place in his or her bag.
1. Real or silk flowers
2. Straw (Cut up pieces of raffia work well for this)
3. Hearts (these can be small wooden hearts or candy hearts or heart stickers)
4. Nails
5. Small rocks
6. Pieces of red cloth
7. Small pictures of the Savior
Place each item in a different room of the house along with a picture that corresponds with each part of the Savior’s life. You will be traveling from room to room in darkness. You can put a candle in each room next to the picture if you would like to light this candle to illuminate the picture as you enter each room. You may also choose to carry one single candle as you travel from room to room. Or you can simply hold a flashlight and shine it on the picture as you enter each room. These pictures can be found in the Church Picture File or at LDS.org or through the distribution center or your church library. Below are the pictures that you will need:
A. Picture of the Savior creating the world or a picture of the earth or the beauty of nature.
B. Picture of the Nativity- The Birth of Christ
C. Picture of Christ healing the sick.
D. Picture of Christ on the cross.
E. Picture of the Resurrected Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene.
F. Picture of the Savior returning to earth at the Second Coming.
G. Picture of Christ with little children.
Apostles Witness of Jesus Christ
Begin by turning off all the lights in the house and lighting a candle or turning on a flashlight. Using just a single light or flashlight to guide you will increase the feeling of reverence as you talk about these sacred things. The scriptures are filled with testimonies of Jesus Christ by prophets from long ago. One apostle said that the scriptures are little packets of light in a dark world. In addition to the witnesses in the scriptures, we have the written testimony of Jesus Christ by the prophets and apostles on the earth in the last days. Show the family a copy of The Living Christ. Read the names of the 15 men who made this statement. Most of these men are still living today. These living apostles have each had experiences with the Savior and know that he is real. When we read their words, we feel the Holy Ghost and grow closer to Jesus Christ.
This is the testimony of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: His eyes were of flaming fire, the hair of his head was white like the pure snow, his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and his voice was the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying, “I am the first and the last, I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain, I am your advocate with the Father.” Of Him the Prophet also declared: And now after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father--- That by him and through him and of him, the worlds are and were created and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.” We declare in words of solemnity that his Priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—Built upon the foundations of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.”
Just as apostles have a testimony of Jesus Christ, we can have our own testimonies of Jesus Christ. Share your testimony of the Savior and tell the family that they can also know that Christ is real and gain their own testimony.
Activity: Symbols of the Savior
Hand out a bag to each person. Explain that they will be given several items that represent the Savior to go in the bag as they move around the house. Ask the family to be very reverent and to listen quietly in each room so that they can feel the Holy Ghost as you talk about Jesus. Have the family move quietly to the first room without talking while you guide them with the flashlight or candle. Continue to use the flashlight or light a candle in each room as you read the section of the The Living Christ and look at the pictures. You may choose to simply read the words from The Living Christ or you can add your own testimony and explanation in each room depending on the ages of the children and as you are directed by the Spirit.
Room 1:
Christ lived in the pre-mortal world.
“Under the direction of His father, he was the creator of the earth. All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
*Picture of the Savior creating the world or a picture of the earth or the beauty of nature.
*Hand out a small flower to represent Christ’s creation for each person to put in their bag.
Room 2:
Christ came to earth as a baby.
“As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of his great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all you have lived and will yet live upon the earth.”
*Picture of the Nativity.
*Hand out some straw to represent the manger for each person to put in their bag.
Room 3:
Christ lived a perfect life to set the example for all of us.
“Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He went about doing good, yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow his example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truth of eternity, the reality of our pre-mortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.”
*Picture of Christ healing the sick.
*Hand out a heart to represent the Savior’s love and kindness.
Room 4:
Christ died on the cross to atone for all our sins.
“He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.”
*Picture of Christ on the cross.
*Hand out a nail to represent the crucifixion.
Room 5:
Christ was resurrected so that all mankind could live again.
“He rose from the grave to become the first-fruits of them that slept. As risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His other sheep in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long promised dispensation of the fullness of times.”
*Picture of the Resurrected Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene.
*Hand out a rock to represent the stone that was rolled away from the empty tomb.
Room 6:
Christ will come to earth again a second time to rule and reign.
“We testify that he will someday return to earth. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.”
*Picture of the Savior returning to earth at the Second Coming.
*Hand out a piece of red cloth to represent the robes of royalty that the Savior will wear when he comes again.
Room 7:
Happiness is found in following Christ.
“We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—That Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”
*Picture of Jesus with little children.
*Hand out a picture of the Savior for each family member to put in their bag.
Testimony:
Now that you have real all of The Living Christ, have each family member write his or her own feelings about the Savior. Each person can write this testimony in a journal or on a piece of paper to keep in their bag. Older family members can help younger children to write down their feelings about Jesus. You may want to consider these questions: Why are you grateful for the Savior? What do you love about Him? How does Christ feel about you? How does your testimony of the Savior influence your life? Once everyone is finished, ask the family to keep their bag of symbols in a prominent place in their room this week so that they can see it and think about Jesus more often.
Treat:
Serve a dessert made of fruit for the refreshments. This can be a delicious strawberry shortcake, a fresh peach pie, or a yummy banana pudding. Talk about the phrase in The Living Christ that says that Jesus is the first-fruits of them that slept. Explain that this means that he was the first person who was resurrected. He is also called the Living Vine and He can be seen as the most precious and delicious fruit on the Tree of Life. Because of Jesus was can enjoy every sweet blessing. We can also bring forth good fruit in our own lives because of Jesus Christ.
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