For centuries, the children of Israel, sometimes called the Hebrews, had been diligently participating in ordinances connected with the tabernacle and the law of Moses. And yet many of them did not realize that these things were “patterns of things in the heavens”—“a shadow of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:23; 10:1). The ordinances were all intended to teach them about Jesus Christ. This is what Paul explained in his Epistle to the Hebrews. His message is also important to us today because we too have sacred ordinances with the same purpose. So it’s worth asking ourselves these questions: Are these ordinances helping us remember Jesus Christ? Is there more we could do to experience the power of Jesus Christ through gospel ordinances? Or are we, like the ancient Hebrews, missing their deeper significance?
Ponder these questions as you read Hebrews 7–13 and as you prepare to teach about how ordinances and covenants bring us closer to Jesus Christ. You might also study some of the general conference messages cited in this outline.
What happens to the billions of people who die without a real opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ or to receive saving ordinances? We can find hints of an answer in 1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6, where Peter spoke of the gospel being preached to the dead. Then Doctrine and Covenants 138 uncovers the full truth—our ancestors can come fully unto Christ if they have faith in Him and accept His gospel and we make ordinances available to them in the temple. This blessing requires that we—their descendants who have the gospel—search out their names, go to the temple, and receive saving ordinances in their behalf.
What experiences have you had helping your ancestors come closer to Christ? How can you help those you teach become more excited about family history and temple work and more confident in their ability to do it? As you prepare, you could read Elder Dale G. Renlund’s message “Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 46–49).
In a vision, John the Revelator saw a book that “no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth” was worthy to open, and this made him weep (see Revelation 5:3–4). The book represented “the works of God,” including His plan for our immortality and eternal life (see Doctrine and Covenants 77:6; Moses 1:39). But then in John’s vision, a Lamb was found “worthy to take the book, and to open the seals” (Revelation 5:9). This glorious news caused “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” of angels to sing and shout for joy (Revelation 5:11). Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, “redeemed us to God by [His] blood” (Revelation 5:9) and made possible the blessings of our Heavenly Father’s plan.
Ponder what Jesus Christ has done for you. Have you ever felt like those in John’s vision who “fell down and worshipped him”? (Revelation 5:14). Consider how you can help members of your class to better understand Jesus Christ’s central role in Heavenly Father’s plan. In addition to Revelation 1–5, you could also read 2 Nephi 9; “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org); and Elder Ulisses Soares’s message “Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul” (Liahona, May 2021, 82–84).
Teaching Stripling Warriors is excited to announce that we are now offering monthly subscription plans. This has been one of our most asked for features, and we have worked hard to get it ready just in time for the new Come Follow Me curriculum.
Each subscription plan includes five weeks of lesson packets: two previous weeks lessons, the current lesson packet and two future (or more) lesson packets. As always, each lesson packet will include a color option and white option and a digital option.
**IMPORTANT: Please
note that because Young Women and Youth Sunday School classes are taught every
other week, the Young Women Warriors and Sunday School Warriors subscription
includes half of the content of the larger plans and is priced at half the cost
to reflect this change.