Lesson Prepration Guide for "God Knows and Loves You"

In his talk, Elder Alan T. Phillips uses a personal experience to illustrate the deep love our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ have for each of us. He emphasizes the importance of understanding our divine identity as children of God, the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, and the perfect love of our Heavenly Father. He also encourages us to extend this love to others, especially those who are struggling, and to seek comfort and guidance from God through prayer.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin the lesson with the story of Elder Phillips losing his son, Jasper, during a family trip. Discuss how this story can be a metaphor for our relationship with Heavenly Father.
Start the lesson by asking class members to share a time when they felt truly known and loved by someone. Discuss how these experiences can help us understand God's love for us.
Open with a discussion on the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Ask class members how these parables relate to God's love for us.

Topics

Understanding Our Divine Identity

Elder Phillips discusses the importance of understanding our divine identity as children of God. He emphasizes that this knowledge can bring a sense of belonging and purpose, especially during challenging times. He also stresses that our divine responsibilities include caring for those in need and building relationships with others.

Do not misunderstand or devalue how important you are to your Father in Heaven. You are not an accidental by-product of nature, a cosmic orphan, or the result of matter plus time plus chance. Where there is design, there is a designer.

How does understanding our divine identity influence our daily lives?
In what ways can we help others understand their divine identity?
How can knowing our divine identity help us during challenging times?
How does our divine identity shape our responsibilities towards others?
What experiences have you had that have helped you understand your divine identity?

Experiencing the Redemptive Power of Jesus Christ

Elder Phillips talks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ as the supreme expression of Heavenly Father's love. He points out that Christ's mission was to provide a way for us to return to Heavenly Father and to offer support through life's challenges.

Our Savior’s mission was to provide both a way to return to Heavenly Father and relief in the journey. The Savior knows through His experience how to support us through life’s challenges. Make no mistake: Christ is our rescuer and the healer of our souls.

How has the Atonement of Jesus Christ influenced your life?
In what ways can we help others experience the redemptive power of Jesus Christ?
How does understanding the Atonement help us cope with life's challenges?
How can we better utilize the Atonement in our daily lives?
What experiences have you had where you felt the redemptive power of Jesus Christ?

Experiencing Heavenly Father's Love

Elder Phillips shares his personal feelings of love for his son, Jasper, to help us understand the depth of Heavenly Father's love for us. He encourages us to develop a relationship with Heavenly Father through prayer and faith.

If an imperfect, earthly father feels this way about his child, can you imagine how a perfect, glorified, loving Heavenly Father feels about you?

How have you experienced Heavenly Father's love in your life?
How can we help others feel Heavenly Father's love?
What steps can we take to develop a deeper relationship with Heavenly Father?
How does Heavenly Father's love influence our understanding of our divine identity?
Can you share a personal experience where you felt Heavenly Father's love?

Additional Discussion Questions

What can we learn from the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son about God's love for us?
How can understanding our divine identity help us serve others more effectively?
What role does faith play in understanding and experiencing the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
How does understanding our divine identity influence our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
How can we better utilize prayer to develop a deeper relationship with Heavenly Father?
What steps can we take to help others understand their divine identity and Heavenly Father's love for them?
How does understanding the Atonement of Jesus Christ influence our daily decisions and actions?
In what ways can we show love for others as Heavenly Father shows love for us?
How can our understanding of Heavenly Father's love for us influence our interactions with others?
How can we better respond to Heavenly Father's love for us?