Study Guide for "Jesus Christ Is the Light and Life of the World"

Elder Thabo Lebethoa teaches that Jesus Christ brings light, direction, and hope into our daily challenges. Drawing on a personal experience with contention, he shows how the Savior’s teachings illuminate the choices we face. He invites us to receive more of Christ’s light by increasing our faith in Him, studying the scriptures daily, and practicing daily repentance. As you study, consider how these practices help you draw closer to the Savior and respond to your circumstances with greater faith and love.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

Where do I most need the Savior’s light and guidance in my life?
How do the Savior’s teachings help me respond to disagreements?
What does intentional effort to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ look like?
How can consistent, sincere scripture study help me know the Savior better?
How does viewing repentance as an expression of love affect my willingness to change?

Topics

Replace Contention with the Savior’s Teachings

Elder Lebethoa describes how a disagreement with his wife leads him to reflect on the Savior’s teachings about contention. Jesus Christ teaches that stirring up anger is contrary to His doctrine. Remembering His words enlightens Elder Lebethoa’s mind and helps him know how to address the conflict.

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away

These words from the scriptures enlightened my mind and helped me know how to resolve the challenge I was facing.

What does Jesus Christ teach about the source of contention?
How does the Savior’s doctrine differ from stirring up anger against others?
How does remembering scripture help Elder Lebethoa respond to his disagreement?
In which relationships or situations do I feel most tempted to respond with contention?
How can I apply 3 Nephi 11:29–30 during my next difficult conversation?
What experience helps me recognize the power of the Savior’s teachings to guide me through conflict?

Look to Jesus Christ for Light and Hope

Jesus Christ enlightens our minds through His Spirit, His perfect example, and His teachings. Elder Lebethoa presents the Savior as the answer to the varied concerns and struggles of daily life. Christ knows our circumstances and can bring light into darkness and restore hope.

Through His Spirit, He enlightens our minds

His light is also revealed through His perfect life and teachings.

Whatever concerns, challenges, and struggles we may have in our lives, the answer is always Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ can bring light in our moments of darkness and restore hope where there is hopelessness.

Through what sources does Elder Lebethoa say the Savior reveals His light?
How does the Savior’s example help explain His declaration that He is the light?
What does Elder Lebethoa teach about the Savior’s knowledge of our circumstances?
What current concern do I want to bring to Jesus Christ for guidance?
When do I recognize the Savior’s light through His Spirit, example, or teachings?
Which teaching or example of Jesus Christ can guide a specific decision I face?

Strengthen Faith in Jesus Christ through Daily Effort

Faith in Jesus Christ includes trusting that He understands our difficulties and knows how to help because He experiences our pains, afflictions, and infirmities. Elder Lebethoa encourages us to look to the Savior rather than give way to doubt and fear. Through teachings from President Uchtdorf and President Oaks, he emphasizes that strong faith requires intentional, daily effort, including prayer and scripture study.

Having faith in Jesus Christ means trusting that He understands our daily difficulties and knows how to help us rise above them because He has experienced all our pains, afflictions, and infirmities

The healthy, fruitful tree of faith requires intentional effort

strong faith requires more than strong desire. It means daily trying, one step at a time, with prayer and scripture study

Why does the Savior’s experience of our pains and infirmities give us reason to trust Him?
What distinction does President Oaks make between desiring strong faith and developing it?
How do prayer and scripture study contribute to the intentional effort required for faith?
Which difficulty do I need to face with greater trust in the Savior’s understanding and help?
What small daily effort can I make to nourish my faith in Jesus Christ?
How can I remember to look to the Savior when doubt or fear enters my thoughts?

Study the Scriptures Consistently and Act on Inspiration

Elder Lebethoa encourages daily scripture study, especially study of the Book of Mormon, to help us know the Savior and experience His love. He teaches that consistency and sincerity matter more than a particular study method, time, or duration. His account of a man who responds to spiritual enlightenment illustrates how scripture study can inspire concrete changes in our lives.

As people read and pray about the Book of Mormon, they will come to know the Savior better and experience His love

Ultimately, the method, timing, and length of our scripture study matter less than the consistency and sincerity of our effort.

We too can receive enlightenment as we study our scriptures.

What blessings does the quoted passage from Preach My Gospel associate with reading and praying about the Book of Mormon?
What does Elder Lebethoa identify as more important than the method, timing, and length of scripture study?
How does the account of the man who buries his coffee illustrate responding to spiritual enlightenment?
What scripture-study approach fits my circumstances and helps me study sincerely?
What adjustment can help me make scripture study more consistent?
What change do I feel prompted to make as I study, and how can I act on that prompting?
What passage in the Book of Mormon helps me know the Savior better or recognize His love?

Practice Daily Repentance with the Savior’s Help

Repentance involves a change of mind and a turning of the heart to God. Elder Lebethoa invites us to examine our use of time, media choices, language, and tone, while remembering that the Savior understands our weaknesses and helps us change. Repentance expresses our love for God in response to His loving invitation, and coming to Christ brings His light and promised rest.

Repentance means a change of mind and a turning of the heart to God.

It is important to remember that we do not need to go through this alone.

the invitation to repent is an expression of God’s love. Saying yes to that invitation is an expression of ours

I testify that today can be a new day and tomorrow will be a better day for all who come unto Jesus Christ and receive His light in their lives.

How does Elder Lebethoa define repentance?
What areas of daily life does he invite us to examine as we consider needed changes?
Why do we not need to approach repentance alone?
How does Sister Runia’s teaching connect repentance with God’s love and our love for Him?
What change of mind or heart do I need to make to turn more fully toward God?
How can I improve my use of time, media choices, language, or tone today?
How can I seek the Savior’s help rather than rely only on my own strength as I repent?
What experience helps me recognize repentance as an invitation of love and a source of renewed hope?