Gospel Doctrine Lesson Sixteen

I was blind,
now I see

Purpose: To help
class members
have a greater
understanding
and appreciation
of Jesus Christ
as the light of
the world

Shortly before declaring, I am the light of the world (John 9:5) Jesus
gave sight to a man who was born blind. When asked why this man
had been born blind Jesus responded, That the works of God should
be made manifest in him (1 John 9:3) Just like the man born blind,
we too have been born with disabilities. The hard part is admitting it.
Our disabilities may be physical, emotional or spiritual. Whatever they
are, God has given them to us to how his glory. Think about your
personal strengths and weaknesses. How has God used your disabilities
or weakness to manifest His works?

Why
Clay?

Throughout the scriptures clay is used to represent our

human state; think of the parable of the potter and
the clay in Jeremiah 18. When the Lord smears clay over
this man's eyes he is teaching us that there is
something hindering the man's sight, something in
addition to his physical blindness. The clay of the mans
fallen human nature is also a hindrance to his seeing
clearly, specifically his seeing spiritual truth. Jesus
instructs the man to wash his eyes in the pool Siloam,
which translated means one who is sent. When the man
washes his eyes in water (Remember, Jesus is the living
water) his sight, both physical and spiritual returns and
he is able to see clearly. Mark the progression of this
mans testimony in your scriptures. See verses 11, 17, 33
and 38.

Jesus is

Good Shepherd

John 10:1-15; 25-28

WHEN I SEE a flock of sheep I see

exactly that, a flock. A rabble of
wool. A herd of hooves. I don't see a
sheep. I see sheep. All alike. None
different. That's what I see.
But not so with a shepherd. To him
every sheep is different. Every face
is special. Every face has a name.
The shepherd knows his sheep.
When we see a crowd, we see exactly
that, a crowd. Filling a stadium or
flooding a mall. When we see a
crowd, we see people, not persons,
but people. A herd of humans. A
flock of faces. That's what we see.
But not so with the Shepherd. To
him every face is different. Every
face is a story.
The Shepherd knows his sheep. He
knows each one by name. The
Shepherd knows you. He knows your
name. And he will never forget it.. He
tellls us in Isaiah 49:16, Behold, I have
graven thee upon the palms of my
hands. Quite a thought, isn't it?
Your name on God's hand. Your
name on God's lips. it may be
difficult for you to believe that
God knows your name.
But he does. Written on his hand.
Spoken by his mouth. Whispered by
his lips. Your name.

What does it mean to you that

Jesus calls to you personally and
intimately?

Qualities of a Shepherd
In the east, shepherds often brought their flocks into one central
sheepfold every evening. Ty pically a half-a-dozen flocks gathered
together in a single pen and were guarded by a porter or gatekeeper.
In the morning, the shepherds returned and each called his own sheep.
Even thought the flocks had been mingled together, each flock knew
its own shepherds voice and would follow it and no other. How can
you more fully tune out the other voices present in the world and
only focus on the voice of our shepherd?

Shepherds in Israel stood at the entrance of the sheepfold and

inspected each sheep as it entered, treating injuries as needed.
After the sheep were gathered in the enclosure for the night, one
of them would lie down to sleep in the entrance, barring the way so
predators or thieves could not hurt the sheep. The Saviors
statement, I am the door, makes clear that He was willing to lay
down His life for the sheep (John 10:7, 15). What does it mean to
you that Jesus himself is watching out for your pains and injuries
keeps guard over you at night?

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he

lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine
in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost,
until he find it? John 15:4

Learning Through Music

Like most of you doing this
worksheet, I am one of the ninety
and nine. I go to church, I study
my scriptures, I do my best to
follow the teachings of the
prophets. I do whatever calling I am
asked to do. I am an average latter
day saint seeking to know my
Savior. Almost 15 years ago I head a
song by LDS singer/songwriter
Michael McLean, that touched me
on a very deep level. I wanted to
shared it with you today and
remind you, though you may
blend in at church, your Savior
sees you and loves you. After
reading the lyrics to this song,
write your testimony of the
Saviors love for you individually.

Ninety and Nine Lyrics

Michael McLean

I am one of the ninety and nine

Im not perfect but basically Im
doing fine
I have not lost my way, I have not
gone astray
Im just one of the ninety and
nine
I am here in the heart of the fold
Im not mindless but I try to do
as Im told

Im not tempted to run and become the

lost one
I am here in the heart of the fold.
So why is my shepherd coming this way
toward me?
Hes holding his arms out and hes calling
my name
Yes hes calling my name! But how, how
can this be?
Im just one of the ninety and nine
I have stumbled and fallen, but Ive kept in
line
Im not one he must seek; Im not all that
unique
Im just one of the ninety and nine.
So why is my shepherd treating me like a
lost lam? Hes searching to find me
And hes holding me now, yes, hes holding
me now
And teaching me who I am
So why am I feeling like Im the only one
here. Its like Im his favorite
And he takes me aside, and he sweetly
confides
These remarkable words in my ear
You are one of the ninety and nine
Have you any idea how brightly you shine?
You are safe in this fold, and its time you
are told
That I know where youve been so I know
where youll be
Because all of your life youve been
following me
You are more than just one of the sands
of the sea
Or just one of the ninety and nine
You are mine, you are mine, you are mine,
you are mine.
I am one of the ninety and nine.