Apr 17, 20234 min read

“What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?”

Videos and Podcasts

Video/ Podcast	Lesson Extension	Additional Materials
Scripture Central	Matthew 18: Luke 10
Follow Him	Matthew 18: Luke 10 Part 1, Part 2	Transcripts
Line Upon Line	Matthew 18: Luke 10	FHE Lesson
Teaching with Power	Matthew 18: Luke 10
Don't Miss This	Matthew 18: Luke 10
CFM New Testament	Matthew 18: Luke 10	Handout
Unshaken	Matthew 18: Luke 10 Part 1, Part 2
The Interpreter Foundation	Matthew 18: Luke 10	Study helps by Jonn Claybaugh
Teaching Helps with John Hilton	Matthew 18: Luke 10
Talk of Him	Matthew 18: Luke 10
Ponderfun	Matthew 18: Luke 10
Talking Scripture	Matthew 18: Luke 10	show notes

Resources and Insights about this Week's Lesson

The lesson materials cover some pretty heavy topics this week: abuse, persecution, rejection, betrayal, pride, prejudiced mindsets, cultural clashes, conflict management, the war in heaven, hidden mysteries, gratitude, repentance, forgiveness, the Atonement, leadership/ Priesthood roles & succession, parables, compassion, service, humility, missionary work, ministering, hospitality, learning to manage priorities, setting boundaries (internal and external), and so much more.

So many topics and so many treasures are packed into these short chapters, and unfortunately, there is not enough time to dig into all of them. Here are just a few additional resources that I wanted to highlight to complement those addressed in the provided links.

Who is the greatest in the Kingdom?

When the apostles were debating about the hierarchy of the heavens, asking who was the greatest in the Kingdom. Christ answered them in a way that they were not expecting. He called a child to him and set the child in the middle. This response was surprising because it challenged the apostle's ideas about what greatness and power meant and what roles these attributes had in the kingdom of God.

In this passage, the apostles got caught up in some worldly views pertaining to power and politics, and Jesus explained that the priorities in the Lord's kingdom are very different from those the apostles had become accustomed to.

However, the Savior's teachings were not new; in fact, the Bible clearly explained the purpose of leadership and administrative roles very early on. The very first calling issued to mankind on earth after the Savior was called to be the Messiah was issued to Eve, to be a mother. Her sacred duty was to care for her children; this highlighted God's first priority, and all other roles and callings were added as appendages to the sacred and noble work of raising and caring for God's children.

In President Nelson's conference address, Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women. He echoed these sentiments, saying, "During my professional career as a doctor of medicine, I was occasionally asked why I chose to do that difficult work. I responded with my opinion that the highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother. Since that option was not available to me, I thought that caring for the sick might come close. I tried to care for my patients as compassionately and competently as Mother cared for me."

President Nelson's message beautifully reflects the lesson Jesus taught his apostles when he explained, "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." This message sets the tone and theme for the rest of the lesson: the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and even Mary's choice to receive the better part because she made it her first priority to receive the Lord.

7 times 70

An additional insight that might be helpful to consider as one studies and unpacks the Savior's reference to 7 times 70 is the observance of Yom Kippur, or "Day of Atonement." During this Holy Day, there was an annual ritual performed that foreshadowed the Atonement of Jesus Christ (Understanding the Day of Atonement or Yom Yippur). During this ordinance, the High Priest would take the blood of an ox and the blood of a ram and sprinkle the blood of each around the mercy seat of the Ark 7 times. The number seven was significant because it signified the concept of completeness; there are 7 days in a week, 7 notes in an octave, 7 colors in the rainbow, 7 branches on the menorah, etc. All of these concepts demonstrate a cyclical pattern that repeats. As such, the number 7 was frequently used to represent something that was complete, finished, and perfect because it completed a full cycle.

When Christ was crucified, he sustained seven wounds. Two nails pierced his hands, wrists, and feet. A spear pierced his side. This was not circumstantial; it was part of a divine design, symbolic of Christ's perfect and complete Atonement. When Peter asked the Savior how many times he should forgive his brother, the Savior took the opportunity to teach Peter about the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. In this parable, the king forgave his servant a debt that was so enormous that it was impossible to repay. In this parable, the Savior taught Peter that there was no limit to his mercy, and we should likewise be willing to extend the same kind of grace to others.

Binding Wounds

As one considers the blessings of forgiveness and conflict management, it is also important to understand that the Savior teaches important lessons about boundaries and accountability. These messages should not be overlooked or understated. There are very tender and serious offenses that are discussed in these chapters, including the abuse of children, abuses of power, ongoing persecution, unsafe environments, and other related scenarios. The Lord lovingly counsels his apostles that while it is important to actively labor in the vineyard, they should remove themselves from unsafe situations. This also applies to his stern warning to protect His little ones.

Major Topics & Events

Major Events/ Doctrines	Location	Scripture Source	Cross-References	Videos
Who is the greatest in the kingdom?	Capernaum	Matthew 18:1–5	Mark 9:33–37, Luke 9:46–48	LUMO Matthew 18:1-35
Offenses and forgiveness	Galilee	Matthew 18:6–22	Mark 9:38–50, Luke 9:49–50	Forgive 70 times 7 Video
Parable: Unmerciful servant	Galilee	Matthew 18:23–35	Doctrine and Covenants 107:25, 34, 38, 93–97; 124:138–40
Seventy appointed and sent forth	Galilee	Luke 10:1–12		LUMO (Luke 10:1-42)
Jesus upbraids Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Chorazin	Capernaum	Luke 10:13–16	Matthew 11:20–24,
Seventy return; authority confirmed	Judea	Luke 10:17–20
Jesus’ prayer and gratitude	Judea	Luke 10:21–24	Matthew 11:25–27
Jesus’ promise of rest	Judea	Matthew 11:28–30
Parable of the Good Samaritan	Jericho	Luke 10:25-37		Video
She has chosen the better part		Luke 10:38-42