2023 – New Testament

Show Notes & Transcripts

Latest Episodes

As we study Revelation 15–22, the final chapters of John’s revelation, we answer the call to “come and see” that Christ is the “bright and morning star” that shines in the dark sky (Revelation 22:16). This sign is a promise that dawn is coming soon. And according to these chapters, He is coming soon. So, as we patiently wait, we see that in our waiting, our hope and faith have been purified in the fires of latter-day adversity. And this growth will have all of us calling out together, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
In Moses 6:63, the Lord says, “all things are created and made to bear record of me.” At Christmastime especially, we can apply this scripture by asking ourselves, "How do I personally bear record of Him?" This week's Come, Follow Me lesson can help guide us in this effort as we study "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.” Let's read this witness from the Apostles and hear from several families about their experiences studying it.
In Revelation 6–14, we learn amazing insights about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. While these chapters appear to be about horses, seals, and signs at first glance, the Savior is truly the central figure. In this episode, we'll discuss what we learn about Him and what will happen when He comes again.
In this episode, we'll begin our study of the book of Revelation—scriptures that some consider to be impossible to understand, overwhelming, and confusing. Our guest, Don Parry, says that the goal of studying Revelation is to “better understand God's designs for the future of the world and its inhabitants and prepare themselves better for the days ahead. In doing so, such individuals will find peace and calmness in their lives, because the Lord has promised us, 'If ye are prepared ye shall not fear' (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).” So, let’s prepare, along with Don Parry, to dive into Revelation 1–5.
John the Apostle and Jude, one of Jesus’s brothers, wrote their epistles in the New Testament to correct prevailing false doctrine. These corrupt ideas, which had already started leading many Saints into apostasy, included teachings questioning whether Jesus Christ had actually appeared “in the flesh.” Today, as we study 1–3 John and Jude, we’ll dive into how these apostles stood for truth and dispelled erroneous beliefs.
Have you ever considered how inspiring Peter was during the last few years of his life? Christ had shown the Apostle how he would be persecuted and martyred—yet Peter carried on bravely and faithfully. As we study the books of 1 and 2 Peter, we will find inspiration on how we can press forward with optimism and love in the face of trials.
Sometimes just one verse or two of scripture will change you or someone you love. In our study of the book of James this week, you may find verses that help you figure out your mission in life. Or you may find encouragement to be more patient or speak with more kindness. Whatever inspires you, let’s dive in and let these words “enter … into every feeling of [our] heart[s].” And then, as we “receive with meekness the … word,” as James wrote, let's be a doer of the word, not a hearer only.
This week’s lesson of Hebrews 7–13 contains many of what we’ll call “sermons in a sentence.” Lines that have been inspiration for conference talks and Sunday School lessons for generations. And we believe memorizing a few of these powerful one-liners could help carry us through hard times. So let’s dive into life-changing truths like “Christ is the high priest of good things to come” or “cast not away therefore your confidence” and see how they could make a difference in our day to day lives.
Imagine you are in a boat sailing on the ocean. It is a perfect day on the water. The sun is shining; you can feel a slight breeze. All is well. But then you notice dark clouds rolling in. You calculate that there is no way you can make it to the shore for safety. The only thing you can do is batten down the hatches, drop anchor, and hope for the best. Now imagine that anchor. Is it big? Is it sturdy? Can you trust it? In today’s discussion of Hebrews 1–6, we will examine a specific anchor and the good it can do during the most tumultuous of storms of life.
Paul wrote many of his letters to whole groups of people. But today, we are zeroing in on a few of his more personal epistles, letters he wrote to his friends Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. You’ll see that these letters have a slightly different feel and tone to them. And Paul—as always—gives us pearls of wisdom to remember, offering each as a heartful gift from a friend.
The Thessalonian Saints were known as examples “to all that believe” and news of their faith spread to cities abroad (1 Thessalonians 1:7). But Paul knew that faithfulness in the past is not sufficient for spiritual survival in the future, and he was wary of the influence of false teachers. In today’s discussion of Thessalonians, we get to read Paul’s specific messages for these Saints. Messages that can help us continue to “perfect that which is lacking in [our] faith” and to “increase more and more” in love.
Where did Paul write some of his happiest letters? Not from the comforts of a nice home or amid the beauty of a countryside in spring. Many of the Apostle’s most uplifting words were penned in prison, including the beloved line, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Perhaps Paul was more keenly aware of Christ’s strength during his time in need. In this week’s lesson, we are diving into Philippians and Colossians where Paul reminds us—especially those who feel trapped—that to live is to love Christ.
Then-Elder Henry B. Eyring gave a landmark talk in 2002 called “Rise To Your Call” for “everyone, man or woman, girl or boy, who has been called or who will yet be”—so that means all of us. Elder Eyring wanted us to know four truths: 1. You are called of God. 2. The Lord will guide you by revelation. 3. Just as God called you and will guide you, He will magnify you. And lastly, all He asks is that you give your best effort and whole heart. Paul gives similar counsel to the Saints in Ephesus. In this week’s lesson, we get to take a closer look at callings and how we can best serve the Lord, even and especially when we feel inadequate.
Before a child runs, they learn to walk. And before they walk, they learn to crawl. A simple, but beautiful, progression with a quiet lesson for us all. In today’s study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we learn how we can—and ought to be—growing in the gospel. Much like a child, our first steps in trying something new might be timid, but when we invite the Spirit, we can progress spiritually in ways we never imagined.
How is everyone doing today—like, right now? Before starting this week’s episode, let’s take a moment to think about or write down a sentence or two about how you are. Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians 8–13 is for those of us who maybe aren’t doing so well. For those carrying a tremendous load with no rest stop in sight. In these comforting chapters, Paul reminds us there are prayers being said in our behalf and that God has given us an indescribable gift to rely on—His surpassing grace.
It’s a situation we’ve all been in—wanting to comfort someone but not wanting to sound trite. How do we find the right words when a friend or family member is really going through it? We want to inspire hope for the future, while not invalidating the difficulty of today. In this week’s lesson, we find Paul in just that situation. As we study 2 Corinthians 1–7, we’ll discover what Paul chose to say to comfort the Saints, and perhaps find inspiration on how we, too, can point others to Christ.
Simple truths can come to the rescue in our confusing world. For example, when we hear that we will only live once, we can remember that Christ’s resurrection makes it possible for us rise again. When we hear that that we will never be good enough, we can lean on the grace of God. In this week’s lesson in 1 Corinthians 14–16, we will find more simple truths to add to our pocket to help us when the voices of the world grow loud.
Charity never fails—now that’s a powerful promise. And it’s a truth that can especially be helpful to remember when you are unsure how to move forward. This week, we will read what Paul taught the Saints about charity’s power in 1 Corinthians 8–13. And perhaps one of the most important takeaways is this: we all have a place in Christ’s church, and charity is how we will help everyone feel just how much they belong.
Have you ever been afraid that you don’t have what it takes? Maybe you were just extended a new calling and feel way over your head. Or maybe you’ve received an impression to serve a mission and think you aren’t spiritual enough or smart enough for the task. Well in 1 Corinthians 1–7, we learn that we are exactly the kind of enough that God can work with, and with Him we can become more than we ever could imagine on our own.
Have you ever wanted to share the gospel with someone, but felt unsure of what to say? If so, this week’s study in Romans 7–16 is for you. These chapters contain some of the greatest missionary verses of scripture—verses any one of us could share as a way to spark conversation on a beautiful, doctrinal truth. Come and learn how simple it can be to live President David O. McKay’s motto, “Every member a missionary.”
You know when you get a letter in the mail that you’ve been looking forward to? There’s something exciting about discovering what’s inside, knowing you are reading words that are meant just for you. Well today, we’re going to begin our 17-week study of the letters, or epistles, from the Apostles—and we’re going to focus first on Paul. We’ll start by discussing Romans 1–6 and find that though these letters may not have been written directly to us, we can still look forward to learning many things from them today.
One of the greatest stories of redemption is found in the life of the Apostle Paul. When we first met him, he was actively persecuting Christ’s followers and even took part in a martyrdom. Yet the Lord knew that Paul could become “a chosen vessel unto [Him.]” Paul did change the whole current of his life and dedicated himself to preaching the gospel. In this week’s lesson in Acts 22–28, we will see just how much Paul was transformed as we read his final letters and departing message to the Saints.
Nothing beats a good pair of shoes when you’re serving a mission. But the number of steps missionaries put in now can’t even be compared to the thousands of miles the Apostle Paul walked in his day. In Acts 16–21, we’ll take a look at the Apostle’s many journeys across the ancient world as he followed the creed to spread the gospel. During his service, Paul was jailed, beaten, and persecuted. But in the end, he leaves us with a humble message that he gave everything he could, and that it's always better to give than to receive.
Managing the relationships in our lives can at times seem like a full-time job; a job that none of us is completely qualified for. Perhaps you can relate to the silent prayer of, “Heavenly Father, please help me to see this person the way you do.” In your experience, how has that prayer impacted the way you think about or interact with people? In this week’s study of Acts 10–15, we’ll learn about the role revelation can play in softening our hearts towards all of God’s children.
Who do you think of when you hear the title “captain”? Captain America? Captain Jack Sparrow? Captain Crunch? Our world has no shortage of high-profile captains. But what about Jesus? You might think that sounds like an unusual title for Christ, that is until we study Acts 6–9 and discuss some inspired words from President Ezra Taft Benson. Then “captain” may become one of the first descriptions that comes to mind when you think of the Savior. We’ll also learn that “Captain” is more than just a title for Christ—it’s one of His most important roles as we learn to follow Him and truly make Him the Captain of our lives.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once said that a more complete title for the book of Acts could be “The Acts of the Resurrected Christ working through the Holy Spirit in the Lives and Ministries of His Ordained Apostles.” Isn’t that interesting? According to Elder Holland, the “acts” we refer to were Christ’s—not solely those of the Apostles left behind after His death. In today’s lesson, we will dive into Acts 1–5 and see how from the very beginning, the Holy Spirit was influencing the Apostles, and we will also be reminded of the active role the Savior desires to have in our lives.
The story that follows the events after Christ’s death tells of those who loved Him most. There were the women who prepared His body with spices and oils, wrapping Him in linen before He was placed in a tomb. And there were His disciples who rejoiced when they realized that the Savior of the world had risen. While thousands of years have passed since that time, the joy and love that these witnesses of Christ experienced is felt by us today. So while we may not have the opportunity to be at the same tomb as they did, our study of Matthew 28, Mark 16; Luke 24; and John 20–21, will help you feel like you're there—and, we hope, help remind you of your love for Him.
The last Friday of the Savior’s life was filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that will gnaw at the souls of those who love and honor the Son of God. Of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, this Friday is the darkest. But as Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin once beautifully reminded us, “the doom of that day did not endure. The despair did not linger.” As we study the final hours of Jesus’s life in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19, hold in your heart that both in scripture, and in our own lives, the glory and relief of Sunday will come.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once described the Savior’s final hours as being “the loneliest journey ever made.” This week, as we take a look at Luke 22 and John 18, we'll study Christ's loneliest hours when He faced betrayal, mocking, and rejection. These chapters remind us that when we are facing our loneliest hours, we are never truly alone—our Savior knows just what we are experiencing, and He will be there to guide us through our own difficult paths.
The Passover meal had come to an end. Feet had been washed; hymns had been sung. Then Christ and His disciples began their walk to the Garden of Gethsemane. According to some scholars, much of the teaching the Savior did that night took place during that fateful walk—a walk that moved the Savior toward what Elder Jeffrey R. Holland describes as “the greatest suffering that has ever taken place in the world or ever will take place.” In John 14–17, we will study just what Christ taught His disciples in those final moments; He comforted His dear friends, and hopefully His words will do the same for us.
Think of someone who is very important to you. How did you meet and what happened to make them so essential in your life? And finally, how do you let this person know they are important to you? This week as we study Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 13 we will discuss the important people in our lives—and who is important to Jesus. As we do we’ll learn from the Master the best ways to make sure those we love know they really matter.
When thinking about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ it’s easy to think of the Primary song “When He Comes Again.” There are a lot of thought provoking questions from the children’s song like, will Earth be white with drifted snow, or will the world know spring? Will one star shine far brighter than the rest; will daylight stay the whole night through? And we can add, will I be alive when that day comes? These musings and visualizations on the future are what this week’s lesson is all about in Joseph Smith Matthew 1, Matthew 24-25, Mark 12-13, and Luke 21. The stories found in these gospels will have us all wondering about when He comes again.
What would it have been like to shout “Hosanna” as Christ rode into Jerusalem? Can’t you just picture the palm leaves and feel the excitement as the Savior rode into the city as King? While we can’t know everything that happened during Holy Week, we can imagine being there as we carefully study what took place before the Crucifixion and Resurrection and learn from the sermons Jesus taught. This week, as we read Matthew 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; and John 12, we’ll start out with the Savior on that road He traveled—and the journey is going to be glorious.
What if you had the chance to ask Jesus anything? Not in the next life, or someday in the future, but today? What would your question be? Would His answer resolve a concern or confirm a truth—or both? Matthew 19–20, Mark 10, and Luke 18 contain stories of people who had the opportunity to ask Jesus questions. In this week's study, we'll examine those questions, and apply Jesus's answers, to our own lives.
Once upon a time ... just those four simple words have the power to bring back fond memories of story time as a child. Can’t you just imagine yourself listening to your parent or teacher and getting lost in the story while imagining yourself as the hero on a great quest? If you’ve ever tried to see yourself in a storybook, you’re going to love this week’s Come, Follow Me study of Luke 12–17 and John 11. These chapters are filled with familiar parables that we can just as easily find ourselves in and learn an important lesson from at the end.
The warm glow of a kitchen light after dark; a sturdy, solid door blocking a raging wind outside—two examples of comfort and protection that many of us can relate to. In this week’s lesson in John 7–10, we will study the many ways Christ can be our protection, including as a light and a door. We will also read how He is the Good Shepherd who again and again guides us safely back to the peace and rest of His fold.
Why is the sky blue? Why is the sea salty? How do birds fly? Kids always seem to be asking questions that are hard to answer—but did you know that their curiosity plays an important role in the cognitive development of their brain? Questions stimulate the mind and increase our capacity to grow. And in this week's study of Matthew 18 and Luke 10, we have an opportunity to become childlike and grow just like our young friends. So get ready to explore the spiritual questions in these chapters just like a child and discover the truths within.
Nothing may be sweeter than a young Primary child nervously (or sometimes not so nervously) stepping up to the microphone during fast and testimony meeting. What is your earliest memory of bearing your testimony? Whether you were five or sixty-five, in a chapel or in a car, bearing our witness of Christ can be a spiritually defining moment. Today’s study of Matthew 15–17 and Mark 7–9 will give us powerful examples of bearing testimony and show us that testimonies can be born in the most unique of places.
The gospel classic Jesus the Christ was released over 100 years ago, 108 to be exact. When the book became available, a Church announcement said of it, “The sacred subject of our Savior’s life and mission is presented as it is accepted and proclaimed by the Church that bears his Holy Name. We desire that the work, Jesus the Christ be read and studied by the Latter-day Saints.” In this special Easter episode, we study this monumental book and talk to four women who accepted the invitation to read it—and how that experience changed them.
Have you ever been given a nickname? Sometimes, those names are silly or just for fun. But other times, they can show an important part of our personality. They can even represent who we are to different friends. The Savior had many, many names He was known by during His ministry—Lamb of God, Healer, and Bread of Life are just a few of the terms we hear Christ being called in Matthew 14, Mark 6, and John 5–6. This week, we find out how we can deepen our relationship with Christ by coming to know Him in a new way as we learn the loving names He was called by His disciples.
Do you see yourself—your day-to-day life, your joys, your troubles—in the parables of Christ? We may not separate wheat from tares or handle mustard seeds as often as the people of Jesus’s day, but His parables are still very much for us. They teach powerfully about ourselves and how we should treat others. In this week’s lesson in Matthew 13, Luke 8; 13, we will dive into why Jesus taught in parables and realize just how applicable they are to modern living.
What goes into making a winning team? First things first: you need to pick a team and sign up. And in today’s discussion of Matthew 11–12 and Luke 11, we talk all about the best team to sign up for. Because when you join Christ’s team, know the rule book, and put on His jersey—er, yoke—then you always come out on top. So let's study the game plan of what Jesus’s winning team looks like and accept the invitation He gives to come claim our spots.
In a burst of eagerness to help clean up, a young girl noticed that there were two jugs of milk in the fridge, but one of them was expired. Determining that the best thing to do was consolidate, she poured the remaining expired milk into the good jug, much to her mother’s chagrin. A lesson from that story might just come into play in this week’s lesson in Matthew 9–10, Mark 5, and Luke 9 as we study Christ’s teaching about old and new wine bottles and the special mission of His chosen Apostles.
The famed poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once penned the beautiful words, “Be still, sad heart! and cease repining; Behind the cloud is the sun still shining; Thy fate is a common fate of all, Into each life some rain must fall.” Longfellow is right—rain comes at different times to all of us. But his words also remind us that behind the clouds, the sun is always still shining. In this week’s lesson in Matthew 8, Mark 2–4, and Luke 7, we’ll read about when a tempest caught Jesus’s disciples unaware. And we’ll see that just as the physical sun always still shining, so too is the Son of God always there for us.
Did you know when Janice Kapp Perry wrote “A Child’s Prayer” she was waiting for an answer to prayer herself? She wanted to know if Heavenly Father was there and if He was listening. And do you remember the answer that question? In the second verse Perry writes, “He hears your prayer / He loves the children.” Those simple yet beautiful words remind us of Matthew, chapters 6–7, when Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount. In His message, He shares instruction on prayer and gives the same reassurance that we receive in that Primary song—that He knows and loves each one of us.
Here's a little lesson for your Come, Follow Me this week: in Latin, the word beatus means fortunate, blessed, or happy. This means that the Beatitudes in Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount are the happy verses, because in Matthew 5 and Luke 6 you can substitute “blessed” with the word “happy” whenever you read it. Basically, these chapters have the recipe for a happy life—all you need is lots of light, a dash of salt, and a willing heart to follow the recipe as best as you can for a reward that won't disappoint.
Faith doesn’t have to fade in the face of uncertainty. Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman at the well, Mary the mother of Christ—they all held to their seed of faith even though they didn’t understand everything, and then they witnessed miracles. In this week’s lesson in John 2–4, we’ll dive into several accounts from the Savior’s early ministry and see how a precious bit of faith led to conversion. And along the way we’ll come to better appreciate the role that active and continuous belief has in our lives.
OK, here’s an idea: Wants and needs are two very different things. And let’s be honest—temptations are not something we would generally put in the “want” category. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need them. In fact, even Christ needed to be tempted. Before beginning His ministry and calling His disciples, Jesus went to the wilderness to fast and be closer with God. While He was there, He was tempted by the adversary. But why did Jesus need this experience and what can we learn from His example? Let’s study Matthew 4 and Luke 4–5 together to find out.
Think back to your baptism—who helped you prepare for that special day and who stood with you in the water? And even more importantly, why were you baptized and what covenants did you make? In this week’s lesson, we have the opportunity to remember this sacred ordinance by reflecting about the Savior's baptism. As we study Matthew 3, Mark 1, and Luke 3, we'll meet John the Baptist, who helped prepare the way for Christ's coming. We'll learn about how the Savior was baptized in the Jordan River. And we'll discover anew the beauty of Christ’s example of obedience and remember why we all follow Him into the water.
Do you know what your first spoken word was? How about the first spoken word of a child in your life? Whatever it was, there’s something powerful and exciting about those earliest moments when we first learned to communicate. This week as we study John, Chapter 1, we’re going to learn about the importance of a word. And not just any word—the Word. So let’s accept this invitation from the Savior to come and see the power of that Word and begin to understand Him in a whole new light.
If you’re like us, now that the new year has begun you might be experiencing holiday withdrawals. But what if we told you that Christmas can keep on going? Luckily, this week’s Come, Follow Me lets us revisit the story of the Savior’s birth in the second chapters of Luke and Matthew. In these verses, we learn of early witnesses of Christ from the shepherds to the wise men from afar who recognized that this baby boy was called to an important work. So let’s start out the new year by studying this miraculous story and bringing the Savior into the season and into our hearts once again.
What is your approach to a new year? Are you a “new year, new you” kind of person, or do you usually find yourself in survival mode, just trying to keep things together? Either way, we’ve been there. But what if we tweaked that New Year’s mantra and said, “new year, knew you”? What if this year we all focused on learning just how well God knows us? A goal like that has the potential for lasting change in everyone’s lives. So on this week’s episode, we’ll study the first chapter of Matthew and Luke and learn that God knows us so well that He even sent the Savior to “guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79)—and we think that is a path we all want to walk in 2023.
The first Come, Follow Me lesson of 2023 takes a slightly different approach—and as scripture study lovers, we are totally here for it. Rather than providing a block of verses, the manual invites us to reflect on how we search the scriptures and reminds us of an important truth that this study group caught on to long ago: we are responsible for our own learning. Come join with us we prepare our hearts for a new year of drawing closer to the Savior.

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Let’s Dig In: A 2022 Study Journal

Created specifically for Sunday on Monday listeners in mind, this journal includes a Hebrew word for each week chosen by the podcast host, Tammy Uzelac Hall. As a seven-year student of Hebrew and former Seminary teacher, Tammy also provides the meaning of the Hebrew words and a related scripture or quote for each week.

With room for your thoughts and a designated spot for weekly takeaways, the Let’s Dig In journal will enhance your Sunday on Monday listening experience.