Choice 2: Luke 10:38-42; 11:1-13; 12:13-40; 13:23-24; 14:16-33. Being a Disciple of Christ.

1. Read Luke 10:38–42; 11:1–13; 12:13–40; 13:23–24; 14:16–33 and the institute student manual commentary for Luke 11:5–13, “The Parable of the Friend at Midnight” (p. 115). Make a list of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and what the Savior taught about counting the costs of following Him.

• Listen to Christ's words
• Welcome him into our lives
• Be prayerful
• Ask for repentance 
• Be forgiving to others
• Do not give into temptation
• Loving towards others
• Ask the Lord for help and be faithful in doing so
• Do not judge others
• Do not covet
• Share and be charitable towards others

2. Identify one of the teachings from your list that you would like to apply more fully in your life. Write a paragraph about how you could apply that teaching and what difference you believe it would make in your life.

I think I need to be more welcoming towards Christ in my life. Often times I think that I can do things on my own and by myself, but that's not true. I need Christ in my life to help me along the way and to tell me what I need to be doing because he knows my plan. This would make the biggest difference because I would feel more at ease about my decisions if I am involving him more in them. He knows that is best for me so I need to ask for his help. 

3. Read Luke 14:33; Omni 1:26; Mosiah 2:34; Matthew 13:44–46. Explain in writing what is ultimately required to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The ultimate thing that must be done to be a disciple of Christ is to put Him first. The most important thing is Christ in our lives. If we are not putting him first in front of everything then we are not his disciple. 

Choice 2: Matthew 17:14–21. The Savior Healed a Young Man

1.    Review Matthew 17:14–21, and list three things the Savior said were needed for the disciples to heal the man.

The Savior said that the disciples needed faith, prayer and fasting. They could not heal the man because they had doubt in their hearts. 

2.    Read each of the following references. Next to the reference, write what it teaches about what is needed for miracles to happen.

o       3 Nephi 18:20- Prayer

o       Doctrine and Covenants 50:29- You should be cleansed from sin (i.e. repent).

o       Doctrine and Covenants 42:48- You need to have faith. 

Choice 1: Matthew 14:14–21; 15:32–38. The Feeding of the Multitudes

1. The Savior provided two similar miracles. As a summary of what took place, complete the following chart:

	Matthew 14:14-21	Matthew 15:32-38
How many people were present?	about 5,000	4,000
What did they need?	Food	Food
What were they able to offer in an effort to meet that need?	5 loaves of bread and two fishes	7 loaves and few fishes
What words or phrases describe the Savior’s feeling toward the multitudes in their time of need?	He said they needed to eat	He did not want to leave them fasting
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes?	Compassion and love	Compassion and love

2. In each story, the available food was insufficient to feed the multitude, yet with the help of the Lord the insufficiency was overcome. Read Romans 3:23 and explain in writing another way human effort is insufficient in receiving the glory of God. According to Ether 12:27, how does the Lord help us overcome this insufficiency? 

If we are sinning, we cannot receive answers from our Heavenly Father and cannot understand his teachings. The Lord helps us overcome insufficiency by letting us humble ourselves before him. This means that we can ask him for help and he will give it to us. 

Week 03: 3. Write answers to the following questions:

o       Considering the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (see Matthew 13:44-46), what sacrifices would you be willing to make to obtain the treasure of the gospel? What sacrifices have you or those you know already made for the gospel?

In high school, I had to make many sacrifices for my beliefs in the church. When all of my friends were wearing tank tops and shorts when it was hot outside, I had to stay modest and I felt more comfortable at school. I remember on prom night, I was the only one who had sleeves on my dress and everyone complimented me on how beautiful dress was. Even strangers that were working at the building we were at complimented me. I remember feeling so good about myself and that people recognized my modesty. I have had to sacrifice some friends as well. When their standards weren't meeting mine, I would quit hanging out with them outside of school. 

o       What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea? (See Matthew 13:47). What does it mean to be gathered into the net? What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away? (See Matthew 13:48-50).

The net can represent missionary work when missionaries are out in the field bringing the gospel to others. They are gathering people unto Christ's words. The gathering the good and casting out the bad could also represent baptism. When someone is baptized, all of their previous sins are washed away. That is casting out the bad and wiping the slate clean.