Lesson Prepration Guide for "Because of Jesus Christ"

In this Easter message, Elder Dale G. Renlund teaches that when life feels crowded, confusing, and overwhelming, the most important focus is Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement. Using a simple story about a little dog distracted by too many balls, he shows how easily we can become discouraged by competing concerns. He then testifies that maintaining an eternal perspective helps us prioritize what matters most. Because of Jesus Christ, we can be resurrected, forgiven, understood, strengthened, and ultimately brought home to Heavenly Father. This talk invites readers to center their lives more fully on the Savior and to rejoice daily in the blessings that come because of Him.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin by briefly retelling Elder Renlund’s story about Lady the dog trying to retrieve two balls at once. Invite class members to think about times when life felt like “too many balls” at once. Then explain that Elder Renlund taught that an eternal perspective helps us focus on what matters most: Jesus Christ.
Write on the board: “Because of Jesus Christ …” and invite class members to complete the sentence with blessings they remembered from the talk. After several responses, explain that the lesson will explore how the Savior’s Atonement answers our deepest needs and helps us prioritize everything else.
Start by asking the class, “What does Easter mean to you beyond one day on the calendar?” After a few responses, share that Elder Renlund invited listeners to celebrate Easter every day by reflecting daily on the blessings that come because of Jesus Christ.
Invite class members to silently list the concerns currently occupying their minds. Then ask them to consider how focusing on the Savior might change the way they carry those concerns. Use this to introduce Elder Renlund’s teaching that not all matters are of equal value and that maintaining an eternal perspective brings clarity.
Read aloud President Nelson’s statement quoted in the talk: “Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.” Ask the class how that statement connects to their current lives. Then transition into Elder Renlund’s message about why focusing on Jesus Christ is of greatest value.

Topics

Keep an eternal perspective

Elder Renlund taught that life can feel overwhelming when many concerns compete for our attention. He said that not all matters are of equal value and that maintaining an eternal perspective helps disciples prioritize what matters most. He pointed listeners to Jesus Christ as the greatest focus amid the complexity of modern life.

Not all matters are of equal value, and maintaining an eternal perspective helps us prioritize the things that are of greatest value.

When have you felt overwhelmed by too many concerns at once, like Lady in the story?
How has an eternal perspective helped you sort out what mattered most in a difficult season?
What distractions most often pulled your attention away from the Savior?
Why do you think focusing on Jesus Christ brought clarity instead of adding another task to life?
What practical habits have helped you keep the Savior at the center of busy days?
How could we tell whether we were giving too much attention to things of lesser value?
What change could you make this week to better reflect eternal priorities?

Trust Christ’s central role in salvation

Elder Renlund testified that Jesus Christ’s life, mission, and Atonement were central to Heavenly Father’s plan. He taught that there was no alternative to the Savior and that only through Christ could we return to the Father. Because the Savior completed the Atonement, He received all power needed to save and redeem us.

The plan depended on Jesus Christ; there was no alternative.

Why was it important to you to understand that Jesus Christ was central to the Father’s plan?
How did this truth deepen your gratitude for the Savior?
What did Elder Renlund’s statement that “there was no alternative” teach you about the Savior’s unique role?
How did knowing that Christ had “all power” strengthen your faith in Him?
In what ways have you seen people try to find salvation, healing, or identity apart from Jesus Christ?
How can we teach our families more clearly that returning to Heavenly Father is possible only through Jesus Christ?
What did the Savior’s willingness to do the Father’s will teach you about discipleship?

Rejoice in Christ’s Resurrection

Elder Renlund taught that Jesus Christ conquered death by literally rising from the tomb. Because of Him, resurrection became a universal and unconditional gift for every person who comes to earth. He emphasized that death is not the end because body and spirit will be reunited forever.

Because of Him, resurrection is a universal and unconditional gift for everyone who comes to earth.

How has your testimony of the Resurrection affected the way you viewed death?
What comfort has the promise of resurrection brought you in times of loss?
Why do you think Elder Renlund emphasized that resurrection is both universal and unconditional?
How can the reality of resurrection change the way we live today, not just the way we think about the future?
What experiences have strengthened your faith that death is not the end?
How could we use Easter more meaningfully to remember the gift of resurrection?
What would you say to someone who struggled to feel hope after losing a loved one?

Repent and receive complete forgiveness

Elder Renlund taught that Jesus Christ had both the power and the desire to save us from our sins. He said that through repentance, faith, covenant discipleship, and enduring to the end, we can be declared guiltless through the Savior’s merits, mercy, and grace. He emphasized that sincere repentance leaves no spiritual scar because the Savior has paid the debt fully.

Because of Jesus Christ, sins for which we have sincerely repented leave no spiritual scar, track, or trace.

What stood out to you in Elder Renlund’s description of the Savior’s willingness to forgive?
How did the phrase “even you” affect your understanding of who can be redeemed?
Why was it important to know that sincere repentance left no spiritual scar?
How have you felt the difference between worldly guilt and godly repentance?
What might keep someone from fully accepting the Savior’s forgiveness after repenting?
How can we help others feel hope in repentance instead of fear or shame?
What does it mean to you that after repentance we owe no more to justice because Jesus Christ paid the debt?

Rely on Christ’s perfect understanding

Elder Renlund taught that Jesus Christ took upon Himself not only our sins but also our griefs, sicknesses, and frailties. Because of His infinite Atonement, He understood every factor that shaped us and empathized perfectly with us. This made Him uniquely able to calm anguish, offer peace, and judge with complete justice and mercy.

Because He endured and completed the infinite atoning sacrifice, He empathizes perfectly with us.

How has it helped you to know that the Savior understood more than just your sins?
What did Elder Renlund teach about the Savior’s understanding of our personal circumstances?
When have you felt that Jesus Christ understood you in a way no one else could?
How did this doctrine change the way you approached prayer or hardship?
Why was it significant that only Christ could judge us with full understanding of every factor in our lives?
How can the Savior’s perfect empathy help someone who feels isolated or misunderstood?
What experiences have taught you that the Lord can calm anguish and give peace?

Let Christ make all things right

Elder Renlund testified that because of Jesus Christ, all that is unfair in life can and will be made right. He said the Savior would consecrate afflictions for our gain, sanctify distress, sweeten bitter experiences, and make us whole. He invited listeners to let Christ work in their lives so that afflictions could be swallowed up in His joy.

Because of Jesus Christ, all that is unfair in life can and will be made right.

Why was this promise especially meaningful in a world filled with unfairness?
When have you seen the Lord consecrate an affliction for your gain?
What did it mean to you that the Savior could fill a bitter cup with sweetness?
How can we hold on to faith when life still feels unfair for a long time?
What does it look like in practice to “let Him” make us whole?
How have trials become sanctifying experiences in your life?
How can this doctrine help us minister to someone carrying deep pain or injustice?

Focus on the Savior daily

Elder Renlund urged disciples not to remain confused, discouraged, or overwhelmed but to keep their eye on the ball by focusing on Jesus Christ. He taught that focusing on the Savior and the gifts of His Atonement brought joy and clarity no matter how many concerns remained. He invited listeners to celebrate Easter every day by reflecting daily on blessings received because of Christ.

Focus on the Savior. Seek for the “precious gifts His Atonement can impart.”

What daily practices have helped you focus on the Savior more consistently?
How has focusing on Jesus Christ brought joy and clarity into your life?
What does it mean to celebrate Easter every day?
Why do you think prophets consistently directed us to Christ as the answer?
How can we recognize the “precious gifts” the Atonement imparted in ordinary life?
What might change in your home if your family reflected daily on blessings that came because of Jesus Christ?
What is one way you could open your heart more fully to the Savior this week?

Additional Discussion Questions

Which part of Elder Renlund’s message most strengthened your faith in Jesus Christ, and why?
How did the story of Lady help illustrate spiritual priorities in a memorable way?
What did this talk teach about the relationship between Easter and everyday discipleship?
How can we better turn to Jesus Christ first when life feels crowded with urgent concerns?
What blessings mentioned in the talk do you most need right now from the Savior?
How can we help quorum or Relief Society members feel that the message of redemption includes them personally?
What did you learn from the talk about the difference between being forgiven and merely feeling less guilty?
How can the doctrines in this talk shape the way we minister to those who are grieving, discouraged, or burdened by sin?
Why do you think Elder Renlund ended with a personal witness of the living Christ?
What is one invitation from this talk that you feel prompted to act on this week?