Choice 1: Matthew 11:1-19; Luke 7:18-35. John the Baptist

1. Read Matthew 11:1-19 and Luke 7:18-35. What did the two disciples of John the Baptist ask of Jesus Christ? The Savior told them to go back to John and tell what they saw and heard. After reading these accounts, explain three things you would have told John if you had been with those two men.
The disciples asked Jesus if he was the Christ.
If I had been one of John's disciples I would have told John of the things that I had seen Christ do.  I would have seen him perform many miracles, the blind receiving sight, the lepers healed, the lame able to walk, and the deaf able to hear.  I also would tell John that Jesus had the power to raise the dead. Finally I would tell John that Jesus preached the gospel to the poor.  After seeing the miracles and hearing the gospel I believe that I would have a testimony that Jesus was the Christ and therefore would also have born testimony to John of Christ's divinity.

2. Read the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 11:2-3, "Did John Doubt That Jesus Was the Messiah?" (pg. 66). Explain why John wanted his disciples to go to Jesus Christ.
John sent his disciples to Christ so that they could gain their own testimonies that Jesus was the Christ.  John already knew who Jesus was, and had since he was in the womb.  John needed his disciples to gain their own testimonies much like those that are born in the church rely on the testimony of their parents but at some point they have to gain a testimony for themselves.

3. Read the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 11:11 "No Greater Prophet than John the Baptist" (pg. 66).  What did the Savior say about John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11 and Luke 7:28? Provide three reasons given by Joseph Smith why John the Baptist is considered among the greatest prophets.
1. He had the great responsibility of preparing the way for Christ.
2. He had the great responsibility of baptizing Christ.
3. He had the great responsibility of holding the keys of power.

4. What does John 3:30 suggest about John the Baptist and his attitude toward the Savior? Briefly describe how we could apply a similar attitude in our own lives.
John was willing and actively trying to get his disciples to follow Christ rather than follow Him.  Those that followed John needed to decrease while those that follow Christ needed to increase.
Applying this in our own lives would be like turning awa from the things of the world, and turning our hearts toward Christ.  We need to decrease the things that draw our attention away from Christ and increase the things that help us to learn of Him and follow Him.