“Lesson 12: The House Built on a Rock,” Primary 7: New Testament, 41

Have you ever built a house out of sand? Did you watch the waves wash it away? If you were building a house to live in, you wouldn’t build it on sand.

You would want to build your house on a solid foundation—perhaps of concrete or rock. Then if the rain came down, a flood started, or the wind blew, your house would be safe. (Sheila E. Wilson, “Sharing Time: Build Upon My Rock,” Friend, Aug 2004, 15)

Living the gospel of Jesus Christ can help us withstand temptation and adversity or problems in our lives.

The Wise Man and the Foolish Man “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man,” Friend, Jul 1999, 47 Cartoon images from “Sharing Time: Build upon My Rock,” Friend, Feb 1991, 44, Illustrated by Shauna Mooney

While He was in Galilee, Jesus Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount. In it, he taught His disciples the Beatitudes and to be a good example to the world. He taught them that it was wrong to be angry with or hate anyone, even their enemies.

Not only should His disciples do what is right, but their thoughts should be righteous, too. He taught the principles of prayer, forgiveness, and seeking “first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).

Jesus said that to live with Him in the kingdom of heaven, His disciples needed to learn the gospel and to live it.

He explained: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

“And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matt. 7:24–27.)

We have many opportunities to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can show that we have faith that the gospel is true by choosing the right each day.

If we do, we will be like the wise man— building our lives upon the solid foundation of the gospel and preparing ourselves to live again with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Discussion Time!

Where did the wise man build his house? Let’s read Luke 6:47–48 Why do you think he was wise?

Where did the foolish man build his house? Let’s read Luke 6:49 Why do you think he was foolish? Why do you think someone might build a house on a sandy foundation? Where would it be easier to dig a foundation—in sand or in solid ground?

What does “hearing Jesus’ sayings and doing them” mean? Why do you think Jesus compared someone who hears his teachings and obeys them to the man who built his house upon a rock?

Why do you think Jesus compared someone who hears his teachings but does not obey them to the man who built his house upon sand?

The Wise Man and the Foolish Man 1. The wise man built his house upon the rock, The wise man built his house upon the rock, The wise man built his house upon the rock, And the rains came tumbling down. 2. The rains came down, and the floods came up, The rains came down, and the floods came up, The rains came down, and the floods came up, And the house on the rock stood still. 3. The foolish man built his house upon the sand, The foolish man built his house upon the sand, The foolish man built his house upon the sand, And the rains came tumbling down. 4. The rains came down, and the floods came up, The rains came down, and the floods came up, The rains came down, and the floods came up, And the house on the sand washed away.

Doctrine and Covenants 11:24 is a revelation given through Joseph Smith to his brother Hyrum: Build upon my rock, which is my gospel

Why should we build our houses, or, in other words, our lives, on the rock of Jesus Christ and his gospel? Let’s read Helaman 5:12

Jesus and his teachings are our only sure foundation. If we build our lives on anything else, it would be like building a house upon sand. What do some people build their lives on that might be compared to sand?

Money, fame, popularity, sports, physical beauty, and so on… These are all sandy foundations to have as main goals in life. Is it important in our lives to make money, to play sports and get exercise, to have friends and do nice things for them? Why?

We need money to buy food, clothing, and so on We need money to buy food, clothing, and so on. Friends and work are also important in our lives. But if these things become more important than following the Savior and living the gospel, we may lose the blessings of eternal life.

Why did Heavenly Father send us to earth? What are some specific ways we can build our lives on Jesus Christ and his teachings?

Jesus Christ is my sure foundation because______________________________. Write as many things as you can think of on the paper that would finish the sentence. What did you write? Some ideas are: He loves me. He taught me how to live properly. He set an example for me. He gave his life for me. He suffered for my sins. Because of him I will be resurrected. He made it possible for me to return to Heavenly Father. Enr. Act. 1

Finish the sentence “I will build my life on the Savior by ________.” Answers could be participating in family home evening, helping at home, paying tithing, praying, obeying the Word of Wisdom, telling the truth, being kind to others, reading the scriptures, being modest, and so on. The only way we can gain eternal life is by being obedient to the laws of the gospel. Enr. Act. 2

Matthew 7:21 (note footnote e) Luke 11:28 John 15:10 It is by obeying Jesus’ commandments that we build our lives on a firm foundation. Let’s look up the following scriptures to see what Jesus said about obedience. Matthew 7:21 (note footnote e) Luke 11:28 John 15:10 Enr. Act. 3

Let’s review the third article of faith: We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. Enr. Act. 4

Let’s memorize! Doctrine and Covenants 11:24: Build upon my rock, which is my gospel Enr. Act. 5

I love the Savior and testify that every commandment he has given us will help us be happy and that disobedience leads to unhappiness. Living the gospel has been a blessing to me.

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