After the Savior’s death, two of His disciples were walking and talking with a mix of sadness and astonishment in their hearts. How could they make sense of what had just happened? Jesus of Nazareth, the man they trusted to be their Redeemer, had been dead for three days now. And then there were the reports that His tomb was empty, with angels declaring that He was alive! At this pivotal point in these disciples’ faith, a stranger joined their journey. He consoled them by “expound[ing] unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning [the Savior].” Eventually, the travelers realized that their teacher was Jesus Christ Himself and that He was indeed risen. How did they recognize Him? “Did not our heart burn within us,” they later reflected, “while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:27, 32).
Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught, “The central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ” (“The Blessing of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 34). Throughout His ministry, Jesus used the scriptures to teach, correct, and inspire others. Be sure that your teaching does not drift away from the scriptures and words of prophets. As you faithfully rely on God’s word in your teaching, you can do for others what the Savior did. You can help them to know Him, for we all need our faith in the Savior strengthened regularly. Your love for the scriptures will be evident to those you teach, and your teaching will invite the Spirit to cause their hearts to burn with a testimony of the Father and the Son.
Questions to Ponder: How have you been influenced by a teacher who used the scriptures to help you come to better know the Savior? What might you do to rely more on the scriptures and words of prophets as you teach? How can you help those you teach know and love God’s word?
From the Scriptures: Luke 4:14–21; Alma 31:5; Helaman 3:29–30;3 Nephi 23
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