NT Lessons 85-86 Acts 4-7

https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-seminary-teacher-manual?lang=eng

Lesson 85: Acts 4–5

Introduction

After healing a lame man at the temple (see Acts 3), Peter and John were arrested. The Sanhedrin commanded them to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. However, the Apostles continued to preach and heal in Jesus’s name. They were arrested again and beaten for refusing to comply with the Jewish leaders’ orders. Church members lived the law of consecration, but two of them died as a result of lying to Peter and to God.

I. Acts 4:1–31  Members of the Sanhedrin command Peter and John to stop teaching in the name of Jesus

---Ask students to ponder what they would do in the following situations:

1. A friend posts something untrue about the Church on social media.
2. A coach schedules a tournament that requires your team to play on Sunday.
3. Your friends ask your opinion about a social issue that is generally popular and supported but is contrary to the teachings of the Church.

---After sufficient time, ask:

• What are some other circumstances in which we might need to share or defend our faith?
• What can be challenging about sharing or defending our faith?

---Look for truths as we study Acts 4–5 that can guide you in these types of situations.

---Invite students to summarize what they remember about the events and teachings recorded in Acts 3. If needed, remind them that after healing the lame man, Peter and John taught a group of people who had gathered around them at the temple.

---Read Acts 4:1–4 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what happened to Peter and John as they taught the people at the temple.

• What happened to Peter and John?

---In Acts 4:5–6  Peter and John were arrested and taken before the Jewish governing council called the Sanhedrin (see Bible Dictionary, “Sanhedrin”). Remind students that many members of the Sanhedrin had been involved in bringing about the arrest and Crucifixion of the Savior.

---Read Acts 4:7 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for the question the Jewish leaders asked Peter and John.

• What did the Jewish leaders ask Peter and John?
• What could happen to Peter and John if they indicated they were followers of Jesus Christ?

---Take turns reading aloud from Acts 4:8–21. Invite students to look for what Peter declared to the council.

Instead of having students read Acts 4:8–21, consider showing the video “Peter and John Are Judged” (2:51) from The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos. This video is available on LDS.org.

Play

Downloads

• According to Acts 4:10–12, what truths did Peter teach the council? (Students may identify several truths, but be sure to emphasize that the name of Jesus Christ is the only name through which we can receive salvation.)
• According to verse 13, why did the council marvel at Peter and John?

---Review Acts 4:8 silently, looking for what influenced Peter and helped him speak with boldness to the council.

• How do you think being filled with the Holy Ghost influenced Peter’s ability to teach the gospel with boldness?
• What principle can we learn from Peter’s example as recorded in verses 8 and 13? (Students may use their own words, but make sure they identify the following principle: As we are filled with the Holy Ghost, we can share the gospel with boldness.)

---Look for additional illustrations of this principle as we continue to study Acts 4–5.

• According to verse 18, what command did the council give to Peter and John?
• According to verses 19–20, how did Peter and John respond to the council’s order?

---Acts 4:23–28 says that after Peter and John were released, they gathered with other believers and prayed with them.

---Read Acts 4:29–30 aloud, and ask the class to look for what the believers asked of God.

• What did the believers ask of God?

---Read Acts 4:31 aloud, and ask the class to follow along and look for what happened after their prayer.

• What happened after the people prayed?
• Based on these verses, what can we do to invite the Holy Ghost to help us speak the words of God with boldness?

---Refer to some of the situations mentioned at the beginning of the lesson.

• In what ways can we be bold in sharing the gospel in situations like these?
• How can we boldly share and defend the gospel with others while still being respectful and civil?
• When has the Holy Ghost helped you speak the word of God with boldness?

II. Acts 4:32–5:11  Church members live the law of consecration, but Ananias and Sapphira lie to Peter

Ask students to consider the following scenarios:

1. A youth group is planning to do baptisms for the dead at the temple. One member of the group knows that she needs to see the bishop for a recommend, but she also knows that she has committed some sins that have not been confessed.
2. A young man is preparing for a mission. He knows the bishop is going to ask questions about his worthiness to serve a mission. He is trying to figure out ways to answer those questions without having to tell the bishop about some of the mistakes he has made.

---Look for a principle as we study Acts 4:32–5:11 that can help you understand the importance of being honest with God’s servants.

---Read Acts 4:32–35 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what Church members did with their possessions.

• What did Church members do with their possessions?
• According to verses 34–35, what was their process for sharing their physical possessions?

---Read Acts 5:1–2 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what a married couple named Ananias and Sapphira did with money they received from selling land.

• What did Ananias and Sapphira do that was so serious?

---Read Acts 5:3–4 aloud, and ask the class to look for what Peter said to Ananias.

• According to verse 4, whom had Ananias ultimately lied to?
• From Peter’s response, what principle can we learn about lying to the Lord’s servants? (Students may use their own words to identify the following principle: If we lie to God’s servants, it is the same as lying to Him.)
• Why do you think that lying to God’s servants is the same as lying to Him?

---Take turns reading aloud from Acts 5:5–11. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what happened to Ananias and Sapphira as a consequence of breaking their covenant and lying to Peter.

• What happened to Ananias and Sapphira?
• Although we or those we know may not experience such severe or immediate consequences for lying, what are some consequences we may experience if we lie to the Lord or break our covenants?

---Invite a student to read aloud the following statement by President Gordon B. Hinckley. Ask students to listen for some of the consequences of dishonesty:

“In our time, those found in dishonesty do not die as did Ananias and Sapphira, but something within them dies. Conscience chokes, character withers, self-respect vanishes, integrity dies” (“We Believe in Being Honest,” Ensign, Oct. 1990, 4).

• According to President Hinckley, what are some consequences of lying? Refer to the scenarios from the beginning of this section of the lesson.
• What do the individuals in these scenarios need to know about what happens to us if we lie to a priesthood leader?
• What blessings come from being honest with the Lord’s servants?

III. Acts 5:12–42  The Apostles are put into prison for healing in the name of Jesus Christ

---Ask students to imagine that they are living at the time of Peter and John and are reporters for a newspaper. Explain that they will be invited to study portions of Acts 5:12–32 and then write a headline summarizing what happened. (To provide context for these passages, remind students that the Sanhedrin had commanded Peter and John to stop speaking in the name of Jesus Christ.) Follow the instructions given with each block of verses.

1. Acts 5:12–16 (Read this passage as a class, and write a headline together.)
2. Acts 5:17–23 (Ask students to read this passage with a partner and write a headline. Invite some pairs to share their headlines with the class.)
3. Acts 5:24–32 (Ask students to read individually and write a headline. Invite some students to share their headlines with the class.)

---After students share their headlines, ask:

• According to verse 29, why did Peter and the other Apostles say they had continued to preach in Jesus’s name despite the command from the council?

---Write the following incomplete statement on the board:

If we choose to obey God rather than men, then …

• From what you have read in Acts 4–5, what are some ways we could complete this statement? (After students have responded, complete the statement on the board as follows: If we choose to obey God rather than men, then He will be with us.)
• In what ways was God with Peter and the other Apostles as they obeyed Him rather than the council? (God filled them with the Holy Ghost [see Acts 4:8, 31], enabled them to perform miracles [see Acts 5:12–16], and sent His angel to deliver them from prison [see Acts 5:17–20].)
• When have you or someone you know chosen to obey God rather than men? How did God show He was with you or this person?

---Take turns reading aloud from Acts 5:33–42. Invite the class to follow along, looking for additional examples of how the Lord was with Peter and the other Apostles.

Instead of having students read Acts 5:33–42, you could review and summarize the content of Acts 5:12–42 by showing the video “Peter and John Continue Preaching the Gospel” (5:38). This video is available on LDS.org.

Play

Downloads

---We learn in Acts 5:33 that the council sought to kill Peter and John.

• According to verses 41–42, how did the Apostles remain faithful to the Lord in the face of this threat? How was the Lord with them at this time?
• How can the truths we have identified in this lesson assist us as we live the gospel and share it with those around us?

---Share your testimony of the truths taught today.

Commentary and Background Information

Acts 4:1–13. Sharing and defending the gospel with boldness

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught how we can share and defend the gospel appropriately with others who may not agree with our beliefs:

“Even as we seek to be meek and to avoid contention, we must not compromise or dilute our commitment to the truths we understand. We must not surrender our positions or our values. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the covenants we have made inevitably cast us as combatants in the eternal contest between truth and error. There is no middle ground in that contest. …

“… We should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention. Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious. We should be wise in explaining and pursuing our positions and in exercising our influence” (“Loving Others and Living with Differences,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 26, 27).

Acts 4:10. “By the name of Jesus”

President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following about the importance of the name of Jesus Christ:

“Foremost and underpinning all that we do, anchored throughout the revelations, is the Lord’s name, which is the authority by which we act in the Church. Every prayer offered, even by little children, ends in the name of Jesus Christ. Every blessing, every ordinance, every ordination, every official act is done in the name of Jesus Christ. It is His Church, and it is named for Him—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (see D&C 115:4)” (“The Witness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 96).

Acts 4:32–35. “They had all things common”

“Members of the Church in Jerusalem attempted to live the law of consecration. ‘They had all things common’ (Acts 4:32) probably does not mean that they pooled all of their resources and then divided up equal portions among believers. Rather they used their excess resources to care for the poor and needy among them. Similar attempts to live the law of consecration occurred among the people of Enoch and in the Book of Mormon (see Moses 7:18; 4 Nephi 1:3–18; D&C 105:3–5)” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 286–87).

© 2016 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Right margin extras:

 

Encourage daily scripture study

Encourage students to set aside time every day for personal study of the New Testament. Help them account for their daily study by providing an appropriate tracking system (see the reading charts in the appendix of this manual). Give students regular opportunities to share what they are learning and feeling during their personal scripture study. Take care not to embarrass or discourage students who struggle with studying the scriptures on their own.

Lesson 86: Acts 6–7

Introduction

The Apostles ordained seven disciples to assist in the Lord’s work. Stephen, one of those selected, performed many miracles. Some Jews accused him of blasphemy and brought him before the Sanhedrin, where he was transfigured. After chastising the Jews for rejecting the Savior, Stephen saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He was then cast out of the city and stoned to death.

I. Acts 6:1–8  Seven disciples are chosen to assist the Apostles in the work

---Think of someone in your family, ward, or community who has a specific temporal challenge or need.

• How do you feel when you consider this person and his or her circumstances?
• How do you think Heavenly Father feels about these individuals?

---Look as we study Acts 6:1–8 for the way the Lord has provided to meet the needs of His children.

---Read Acts 6:1–2 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for the concern the Grecians brought to the Apostles’ attention. The Grecians “were Greek-speaking Jewish-Christians,” and the Hebrews “were Palestinian Jewish-Christians” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 288).

• What concern did the Grecian Saints express?

---At this time, the Church was growing rapidly and so were the temporal needs of many people, including widows. Because the Apostles were responsible for preaching the gospel to “all nations” (Matthew 28:19), they were unable to personally attend to every individual need of the Church members.

---Take turns reading aloud from Acts 6:3–6. Ask the class to follow along, looking for how the Apostles solved this problem. Invite students to report what they find.

• What qualities did those chosen to help with the growing needs of the Church need to have in order to be worthy of this calling? (You may want to suggest that students mark the phrases in verses 3 and 5 that describe these qualities.)
• How is this process similar to what the Lord does in His Church today to ensure members’ needs are met? (After students respond, write the following truth on the board: Worthy Church members are called to help minister to the needs of others.)

---Invite several students to come to the board and write down callings in the Church. For several of the callings they listed, ask:

• Whose needs are ministered to by people who serve faithfully in this calling?
• Why do you think it is important that people who are called to help minister to others’ needs have the qualities mentioned in verses 3 and 5?

---Read Acts 6:7–8 silently. You may want to suggest that they mark positive outcomes that resulted from the calling of these seven disciples to minister to others. Ask students to report what they find.

II. Acts 6:9–7:53  Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin and testifies that they have rejected the Messiah

---Invite a few students to stand and demonstrate what it would look like if they were trying to resist the help of another person in the following situations, even though they need the help: doing homework, cooking a meal, solving a major problem in their lives.

• Why do we sometimes resist the help of others?
• What consequences can come from resisting the help of others?

---One way Heavenly Father helps us is through the Holy Ghost. Invite students to look as they study Acts 6:9–7:53 for consequences of resisting the Holy Ghost.

---As recorded in Acts 6:9, many people who did not believe in Jesus Christ contended with Stephen as he taught the gospel. Invite a student to read Acts 6:10–11 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for why those who contended with Stephen were affected by him. You may need to explain that the word suborned in verse 11 means to bribe.

• How were the people who contended with Stephen affected by his teachings?
• What was Stephen accused of?

---In Acts 6:12–14  Stephen was brought before the Jewish governing council, called the Sanhedrin.

---Read Acts 6:15 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what was unusual about Stephen’s appearance as he stood before the council.

• What do you think it means that Stephen had the “face of an angel”? (verse 15). (Stephen was transfigured. This holy transfiguration was one way God showed the people that He approved of Stephen and his message. [See Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. (1965–73), 2:67.])

---Acts 7:1–50 says that in response to the accusations against him, Stephen recounted some of Israel’s history.

---Read Acts 7:35–39 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what Stephen said about ancient Israel’s treatment of the prophet Moses.

• According to verse 35, how did the children of Israel respond to Moses when he came to deliver them from Egypt?
• How did they respond to Moses even after he had delivered them (see verse 39)?

---Remember that Jesus Christ was the prophet that Moses prophesied of (see verse 37).

---Read Acts 7:51–53 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for how Stephen compared the Jewish leaders of his day to the ancient Israelites he described.

• According to verse 51, how were the Jewish leaders of Stephen’s day similar to the ancient Israelites he described? (They both resisted the Holy Ghost. Explain that “stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart” refers to the Jews’ sinful pride and wicked hearts.)
• According to verse 52, who did the Jews of old reject and persecute as they resisted the Holy Ghost? (The prophets, including Moses.)
• Who did Stephen say the Jewish council had rejected? (The “Just One” [verse 52], meaning the Savior.)

---Stephen was illustrating that just as ancient Israel had rejected the prophet Moses, the Jewish leaders in Stephen’s day rejected the Savior.

• What truth can we learn about resisting the Holy Ghost? (Students may use different words but should identify a truth similar to the following: Resisting the Holy Ghost can lead to rejecting the Savior and His prophets.)
• How can resisting the Holy Ghost lead us to reject the teachings of the Savior and His prophets? (The Holy Ghost testifies of Jesus Christ and witnesses of the truth of His words and the words of His prophets. Therefore, resisting the Holy Ghost will weaken someone’s testimony and his or her resolve to follow the Savior and His prophets.)

---Invite students to explain how someone could be tempted to resist the Holy Ghost in the following circumstances: (1) selecting entertainment and media, (2) choosing whether to follow the prophets’ counsel on dating, and (3) deciding whether to apply the principles of repentance that Jesus Christ and His prophets have taught.

• What can we do to welcome rather than resist the influence of the Holy Ghost?

---Invite students to consider how accepting the influence of the Holy Ghost has led them to accept the Savior and His prophets and apply their teachings.

---Encourage students to ponder one thing they could do in the coming week to actively invite the influence of the Holy Ghost into their lives. Invite them to write this goal in their class notebooks or scripture study journals, and encourage them to fulfill that goal.

III. Acts 7:54–60 Stephen is stoned to death

---Write the word tribulation on the board, and ask students what they think it means. After they respond, write the following definition next to the word: a cause of great trouble or suffering.

• Why should we expect tribulation as followers of Jesus Christ?

---As we study Acts 7:54–60 look for a principle that can help us when we experience tribulation.

---After Stephen rebuked the wicked Jewish leaders, they were “cut to the heart” (verse 54) and angry.

---Read Acts 7:55–56 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what Stephen experienced during this moment of persecution.

• What influence filled Stephen?
• Who did Stephen see?

---Display the picture Stephen Sees Jesus on the Right Hand of God (Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 63; see also LDS.org).

• What fundamental doctrine about the Godhead can we learn from the account of Stephen’s vision? (Students may use different words, but make sure they identify the following doctrine: Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate and distinct beings. You may want to suggest that students write this doctrine in the margin of their scriptures next to Acts 7:55–56.)

---Take turns reading aloud from Acts 7:57–60. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the people did to Stephen. Invite students to report what they find.

• What stands out to you about Stephen’s prayer?
• Why do you think Luke described Stephen’s tragic death with the phrase “he fell asleep”? (verse 60). (Point out that this phrasing might refer to a righteous soul’s rest from the troubles of mortality and the peace with which such a person transitions from this life to the next [see D&C 42:46].)

---Invite students to reflect on what Stephen experienced before he was taken and killed (see Acts 7:55–56).

• How did God strengthen Stephen throughout his experiences with the Sanhedrin? (Stephen was filled with the Holy Ghost and saw the Savior standing on the right hand of God.)
• What principle can we learn from Stephen’s experience that can help us remain faithful to Jesus Christ during tribulations? (Students may identify a variety of principles, but make sure they understand the following principle: If we remain faithful to Jesus Christ during tribulations, He will be with us.)
• In what ways can the Lord be with us as we face tribulations?
• Although Stephen lost his life, what did he gain?

---Stephen is generally considered the first Christian martyr. In addition, he can be seen as a type of Christ, as both he and the Savior stood before a council to be tried, declared truths in the face of their enemies, gave their lives in a righteous cause, and even uttered similar expressions as they suffered death (see Luke 23:33–34, 46). You might want to point out that a young man named Saul—who later became the Apostle Paul—was present and a witness to the martyrdom of Stephen (see verse 58).

---Testify of the truths taught throughout this lesson.

Commentary and Background Information

Acts 6:1–6. Those called to assist the Twelve in temporal matters

Just as the Lord called seven worthy men to assist the Twelve in providing for the temporal needs of the Church as recorded in the book of Acts, the Lord has called the Presiding Bishopric to assist the Twelve in providing for the temporal needs of the Church today. The Presiding Bishop and his two counselors serve under the direction of the First Presidency to administer the temporal affairs of the Church. Fast offerings are an essential part of this program and provide temporary, life-sustaining assistance for the poor throughout the world. (For more information, see the topic “Presiding Bishopric” at mormonnewsroom.org.)

Acts 6:15. Stephen’s transfiguration

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained why Stephen’s face appeared like “the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15):

“Stephen was transfigured before them, visible witness thus being given that God was with him. In a lesser degree, it was with Stephen as it had been with Moses, the skin of whose face [shone] visibly after he had communed with the Lord for forty days on the mountain. (Ex. 34:29–35.)” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 2:67).

“By opposing Stephen and his testimony, the Jewish leaders were also opposing God, who had given an obvious sign showing His approval of Stephen” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 289).

Acts 7:56. “Son of man”

“There are over 80 references to the ‘Son of man’ in the four Gospels. In almost every instance Jesus was referring to Himself by this title. Perhaps that is why Stephen referred to the Savior in this manner—he wanted his audience to recognize who Jesus Christ really was. For more information on the title ‘Son of Man,’ see Moses 6:57 and the commentaries for Matthew 8:20; 9:6; 10:23; 11:19; 12:8, 32, 40 and for Mark 14:53–65” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 291).

© 2016 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Right margin extras:

Using the curriculum

When you prepare a lesson, prayerfully review the curriculum in tandem with your study of the scripture block. As you do so, the Holy Ghost can help you personalize the lesson for the needs of your students. You might use all or part of the teaching suggestions for a scripture block, or you might adapt the suggested ideas to the needs of your class.