Matthew 1-4

The Testimony of Matthew

In this series of lessons, the New Testament Gospels will be examined individually and not as a harmony. Each gospel account will be looked at as a testimony or witness of Christ.

The Genealogy of Jesus of Nazareth

Have students read Matthew 1:1-17 and identify names of persons they have heard of from the Old Testament. Why do you think Matthew would want us to know about the ancestry of Jesus? Why is it important to know about your own ancestry?

Joseph Receives Revelations


Joseph was warned to leave Bethlehem.



Joseph, the husband of Mary, received three revelations. Have students read each revelation and explain why it was important for Joseph to have these revelations.

Matthew 1:18-21
Matthew 2:13-15
Matthew 3:19-23

Jesus Fulfills Prophecies

Matthew quotes several verses from the Old Testament to show that the life of Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the prophecies in the Bible about the Savior. Have students read the prophecies and find where these things are written in the Old Testament.

Matthew 1:23
Matthew 2:6
Matthew 2:18
Matthew 3:3
Matthew 4:15-16

The Father Was Well Pleased


Jesus was baptized by John.



Matthew 3:13-17 tells us about the baptism of Jesus. Have students read these verses and explain why they think the Father was well pleased. What things do we do that please Heavenly Father?

Jesus Is Tempted by Satan

In Matthew 4:1-11, Satan tempts Jesus three different ways. Have students list the ways Jesus was tempted. Ask them how His temptations are like their temptations. What did Jesus do when he was tempted? How can we follow His example when we are tempted?

Jesus Begins His Ministry


Jesus asked people to follow him.

Read Matthew 4:18-25 and find the words follow and followed. Why did people follow Jesus? Why should people today follow Jesus?

1 Nephi 12-14

These chapters tell us what Nephi saw when the angel of the Lord showed him the future of his posterity:

1. The rise, decline and destruction of the Nephites in the Land of Promise ( Nephi 12)

2. The rise of the great and abominable church among the Gentiles (1 Nephi 13:1-32)

3. The restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ among the Gentiles (1 Nephi 13:33-42)

4. The foreshadowing of the fall of the great and abominable church and the triumph of the church of the saints of the Lamb of God. (1 Nephi 14)

An angel showed Nephi that the power of God would bless the lives of his posterity in every age. The angel also showed Nephi the power of evil among the people. Have students read the following references and describe these great powers in their own words:

The destruction of the Nephites

( Nephi 12)


Nephi saw the destruction of the Nephites.



The power of God
1 Nephi 12:6-12 – The appearance of Christ to Nephi’s posterity.

The power of evil
1 Nephi 12:19-23 – The destruction of the Nephites.

The great and abominable church

(1 Nephi 13:1-32)

The power of God
1 Nephi 13:13-19 – The Gentiles come to the Promised Land and escape bondage.
1 Nephi 13:20-25 – The coming forth of the Bible.

The power of evil
1 Nephi 13:4-9 – The creation of the great and abominable church.
1 Nephi 13:26-29 – The plain and precious truths are removed from the Bible.

The restoration of the gospel

(1 Nephi 13:33-42)



Nephi saw that the gospel would be restored.


The power of God
1 Nephi 13:38-41 – The coming forth of the Book of Mormon and other scriptures.

The power of evil
1 Nephi 13:34 – The stumbling of the Gentiles into sin.

The triumph of the saints of the Lamb of God.

(1 Nephi 14)


Nephi saw that the righteous would be saved in the kingdom of God.

The power of God
1 Nephi 14:1-3 -- The deliverance of faithful Gentiles from the power of evil.

The power of evil
1 Nephi 14:12-17 – The destruction of those who do not keep the covenants of the Lord.



Application



Ask students why it was important for Nephi to know these things would happen to his posterity. How can Nephi’s revelation help us be better people?