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When we go and do the things that the Lord asks us to do, He will prepare a way for us to accomplish it. See 1 Nephi 3:7 in The Book of Mormon.

Lesson 149 2 John-3 John

Lesson 149: 2 John–3 John

LOOK for a principle in 2 John that can help you preserve the blessings you have obtained as Church members.

I. 2 John  John warns about people who teach false doctrine

---Name a well-known athlete who is familiar to most students.

• What might this athlete do to stay in peak health to perform well?
• What could happen if this athlete, after working hard to get in shape, stopped going to the gym and began eating junk food, watching a lot of TV, playing video games, and taking substances that are harmful to the body?

---CONSIDER how the work that successful athletes must do to preserve their peak physical condition can be compared to the work that Church members must do to preserve the blessings they have obtained through the gospel. 

---In 2 John 1:1–4 the Apostle John began his epistle by addressing “the elect lady and her children,” which may have been either a direct address to a female Church member and her children or symbolic language to describe a Church congregation.

---READ 2 John 1:5–6 looking for the commandment that John reminded the Saints about.

What commandment did John remind the Saints about?

---READ 2 John 1:7 and look for why John counseled Church members to “walk after” (2 John 1:6), or obey, the commandments.

• Why did John counsel Church members to obey the commandments?
• What were the “deceivers” (verse 7) teaching?

1---When John wrote this epistle, a philosophy known as Docetism was gaining popularity. Docetists believed that God was so exalted that He was above suffering, death, or any other mortal experience. Therefore, they concluded that Jesus Christ as the Son of God did not actually come in the flesh but that His spirit only seemed to do things that a mortal would do or experience.

• What are some examples of false teachings in our day that contradict the truths of the gospel?
• Why are these teachings spiritually dangerous?

---READ 2 John 1:8 looking for what John counseled Church members to do in light of these false teachings. To “look to yourselves” means to be watchful or careful not to adopt false teachings and that wrought can mean performed or acquired (see 2 John 1:8, footnote a).

• What principle can we learn from John’s teachings in verses 6–8 about how we can continue to enjoy the gospel blessings we have received? (~As we keep the commandments and are watchful, we can continue to enjoy the gospel blessings we have received. BOARD.)

---WRITE in your class notebooks a list of gospel blessings you have already received or hope to receive. SHARE. BOARD.

• How could adopting false teachings prevent us from obtaining and continuing to enjoy these gospel blessings?

---READ 2 John 1:9 looking for what John taught would happen to those who abide in the doctrine of Christ, or remain close to and endure in the gospel.

• What do those who abide in the doctrine of Christ have with them? (BOARD: If we abide in the doctrine of Christ, we will have the Father and the Son with us.)

---One way we have the Father and the Son with us is through the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

---PONDER your efforts to keep the commandments, to be watchful, and to abide in the gospel. WRITE down why you want to preserve the blessings you have received through the gospel and one thing you will do today to be more faithful and consistent in keeping the commandments.

------In 2 John 1:10–13 John encouraged the Saints to avoid people who spread false doctrine. He also expressed his desire to personally visit the Saints he was writing to.

II. 3 John  John praises Gaius for his faithfulness

Bring to class a small pebble and a large bowl full of water.

---Can you drop the pebble into the water without making any ripples?

• Why is it impossible for the water to remain unchanged by the pebble?
• Who else besides yourself can be positively affected by your choice to live the gospel?

---As recorded in 3 John, John addressed a faithful member of the Church named Gaius.

---READ 3 John 1:1–4 looking for how John was affected by Gaius’s faithfulness in living the gospel. Children in verse 4 may refer to Church members whom John had helped convert to the gospel.

• How was John affected by Gaius’s faithfulness in living the gospel?
• How would you summarize a truth from these verses about how living the gospel can affect ourselves and others? (~Living the gospel brings joy not only to ourselves but to others.)
• When have you experienced joy because someone else faithfully lived the gospel?

---LETTERS.

3 John 1:5–10. Church members should sustain all servants of the Lord

---THINK of a time when you heard a speaker in general conference or heard from a visiting authority or missionary whom you were not familiar with. Sometimes we may be tempted to treat Church leaders or teachers with less deference, or respect, if we do not know them well.

---READ 3 John 1:5–8 looking for what Gaius was doing that pleased John. The words brethren and strangers in verse 5 refer to traveling teachers or missionaries whom Gaius was not familiar with.

• What was Gaius doing that pleased John? (He showed charity and helped the traveling teachers or missionaries.)
• What did John say all Church members ought to do? (Receive servants of the Lord, even those whom we may not be familiar with.)

---READ 3 John 1:9–10 and look for who displeased John.

• Who displeased John? Why? (Diotrephes, a local Church leader, was in rebellion and personal apostasy. He spoke maliciously about John and his companions, would not receive them, and cast out of the Church any Church members who would receive them.)

3 John 1:9–10. “Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, received us not”

2-Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained who Diotrephes was and what he did:

“Here is Diotrephes, a local church officer of prominence and influence: (1) Who refuses to permit the doctrine and instructions of a member of the First Presidency of the Church to be read in his congregation; (2) Who preaches against the apostolic heads of the Church; (3) Who refuses to receive the church representatives sent to him; (4) Who refuses to let others in the congregation care for or give heed to the church authorities; and (5) Who casts out (apparently excommunicates) worthy members of the Church” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 3:413–14).

• What truth can we learn from the good example of Gaius and the poor example of Diotrephes? (~Church members ought to receive and sustain all servants of the Lord.)
• In what ways can we “receive” servants of the Lord? (Listen to them, pray for them, sustain them in their responsibilities, speak well of them, and apply what they teach in our lives.)

---In 3 John 1:5–14  John praised Gaius for his willingness to receive traveling Church leaders or missionaries, and he criticized a local leader named Diotrephes, who did not receive John and his companions.

---REVIEW the truths identified in this lesson. TESTIFY of these truths, and invite students to APPLY them in their lives.

1- When John wrote this epistle, a philosophy known as Docetism was gaining popularity. Docetists believed that God was so exalted that He was above suffering, death, or any other mortal experience. Therefore, they concluded that Jesus Christ as the Son of God did not actually come in the flesh but that His spirit only seemed to do things that a mortal would do or experience.

2-Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained who Diotrephes was and what he did:

“Here is Diotrephes, a local church officer of prominence and influence: (1) Who refuses to permit the doctrine and instructions of a member of the First Presidency of the Church to be read in his congregation; (2) Who preaches against the apostolic heads of the Church; (3) Who refuses to receive the church representatives sent to him; (4) Who refuses to let others in the congregation care for or give heed to the church authorities; and (5) Who casts out (apparently excommunicates) worthy members of the Church” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 3:413–14).

Lesson 145 1 Peter 3-5

3 Groups of students each teaching one section:

I. 1 Peter 3:1–17  Peter counsels Saints to be united in righteousness and to be ready always to testify of Christ

---Read the following statement by President Thomas S. Monson:

“We will have opportunities throughout our lives to share our beliefs, although we don’t always know when we will be called upon to do so. Such an opportunity came to me in 1957, when I worked in the publishing business and was asked to go to Dallas, Texas, [USA,] sometimes called ‘the city of churches,’ to address a business convention. Following the conclusion of the convention, I took a sightseeing bus ride through the city’s suburbs. As we passed the various churches, our driver would comment, ‘On the left you see the Methodist church’ or ‘There on the right is the Catholic cathedral.’

“As we passed a beautiful red brick building situated upon a hill, the driver exclaimed, ‘That building is where the Mormons meet.’ A lady in the rear of the bus called out, ‘Driver, can you tell us something more about the Mormons?’

“The driver pulled the bus over to the side of the road, turned around in his seat, and replied, ‘Lady, all I know about the Mormons is that they meet in that red brick building. Is there anyone on this bus who knows anything more about the Mormons?’” (“Dare to Stand Alone,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 67).

• If you had been on that bus, what would you have done?
• Why can it sometimes be challenging to tell other people about our beliefs?

---In 1 Peter 3:1–11 Peter exhorted wives to help bring unbelieving husbands to Christ through their righteous conduct. He counseled husbands to honor their wives. He also counseled members to live according to gospel standards.

---Read 1 Peter 3:14–16 looking for what Peter counseled the Saints to do when they suffered persecution because they were living righteously.

• What did Peter counsel the Saints to do when they suffered persecution because they were living righteously?
• According to verse 15, what did Peter say followers of Jesus Christ should always be ready to do?
• What aspects of the gospel do you think give people hope?

---The word answer in verse 15 can also be translated as “defense” (see verse 15, footnote b). Peter admonished the Saints to share and defend their religious beliefs.

• What words in verse 15 describe how we should share and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ?
• What truth can we learn from 1 Peter 3:15 about what we as followers of Jesus Christ should strive to always be ready to do? (Students may use their own words, but make sure they identify a truth similar to the following: As followers of Jesus Christ, we should strive to always be ready to share and defend our beliefs with meekness and reverence. Write this truth on the board.)
• Why do you think it is important to share our beliefs with meekness and reverence?

---Read the rest of President Monson’s account of his experience on the bus:

“I waited for someone to respond. I gazed at the expression on each person’s face for some sign of recognition, some desire to comment. Nothing. I realized it was up to me to do as the Apostle Peter suggested, to ‘be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.’ I also realized the truth of the adage ‘When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past.’

“For the next 15 or so minutes, I had the privilege of sharing with those on the bus my testimony concerning the Church and our beliefs. I was grateful for my testimony and grateful that I was prepared to share it” (“Dare to Stand Alone,” 67).

• What are some things we can do to always be ready to share our beliefs?

---Invite students to think of a time when they were grateful that they were prepared to share their beliefs or testimony. Ask a few students to share their experiences with the class.

---Invite students to ponder what they will do to prepare to always be ready to share and defend their beliefs. Encourage them to act on any promptings they may receive.

II. 1 Peter 3:18–4:19  Jesus Christ preached the gospel in the spirit world after His death

---Imagine that you are missionaries teaching a person who says the following:

“I believe what you are teaching me is true, but I wonder about people who die without having the chance to hear the truth. It doesn’t seem fair for God to punish them or prevent them from living with Him again if they never had the chance to learn about His plan of salvation.”

---Think about how you would respond.

---As we read the following scriptures, look for truths Peter taught that you could share with the person in the scenario.

---Read 1 Peter 3:18–20, including the Joseph Smith Translation in verse 20, footnote a.

---Then read 1 Peter 4:5–6 including the Joseph Smith Translation in verse 6, footnote a. The phrase “the spirits in prison” in 1 Peter 3:19 refers to those in the spirit world who did not accept the gospel or have the opportunity to hear it while in mortality.

• What do we learn from these verses about those in the spirit world who did not accept the gospel or have the opportunity to receive it in this life?

---Display a picture of President Joseph F. Smith.

---President Joseph F. Smith was pondering the meaning of 1 Peter 3:18–20 and 1 Peter 4:6 when he received a revelation and vision of the Savior’s visit to the spirit world. He saw that Jesus Christ, between the time of His death and Resurrection, preached the gospel and personally ministered to the righteous spirits. Jesus Christ then organized and authorized righteous servants to teach the gospel to the spirits in spirit prison (see D&C 138:1–11, 29–30).

• According to 1 Peter 4:6, why is the gospel preached to those who are dead? (To bring about a righteous and fair judgment by giving all Heavenly Father’s children an opportunity to hear and live according to God’s laws.)
• What truth can we identify from Peter’s teachings about the gospel being preached to the dead? (Students may use their own words, but make sure they identify a truth similar to the following: The gospel is preached to those who have died so that they may have the same opportunities as those who hear the gospel in mortality. Write this truth on the board.)

1 Peter 4:6. “For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead”

President Joseph Fielding Smith taught the following concerning the work of salvation for the dead:

“All those who did not have an opportunity here to receive it, who there repent and receive the gospel, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God. The Savior inaugurated this great work when he went and preached to the spirits held in prison, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh (or in other words, according to the principles of the gospel) and then live according to God in the spirit, through their repentance and acceptance of the mission of Jesus Christ who died for them” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:132–33).

Regarding the preaching of the gospel in the spirit world, President Lorenzo Snow taught:

“When the Gospel is preached to the spirits in prison, the success attending that preaching will be far greater than that attending the preaching of our Elders in this life. I believe there will be very few indeed of those spirits who will not gladly receive the Gospel when it is carried to them. The circumstances there will be a thousand times more favorable” (“Discourse by President Lorenzo Snow,” Millennial Star, Jan. 22, 1894, 50).

---Briefly review the scenario presented at the beginning of this scripture block.

• How is the doctrine of salvation for the dead evidence of God’s mercy and compassion for His children?

---In 1 Peter 4:7–19 Peter admonished the Saints to have fervent charity because charity covers, or prevents, a multitude of sins (see Joseph Smith Translation, 1 Peter 4:8 [in 1 Peter 4:8, footnote a]). Peter also taught the Saints to rejoice when they suffer trials and reproach because of their belief in Jesus Christ.

III. 1 Peter 5  Peter counseled elders to watch over God’s flock and encouraged Saints to remain steadfast in the faith

---To help prepare the Saints for the trials they would experience, Peter taught the elders of the Church about their responsibilities as Church leaders.

---Read 1 Peter 5:1–3 looking for Peter’s counsel to the elders of the Church.

• What counsel did Peter give to the elders of the Church?

---To “feed the flock of God” (verse 2) means to take care of and watch over the members of the Church. Church leaders were to serve willingly and with love rather than grudgingly or out of a desire for reward. They were to be examples to the members instead of “lords” (verse 3) over them.

• From Peter’s counsel to the elders of the Church, what truth can we learn about the responsibility of Church leaders? (Help students identify a truth similar to the following: Church leaders have the responsibility to care for and watch over God’s flock in love and by example. Write this truth on the board.)

---Read 1 Peter 5:4 looking for how Peter referred to the Savior.

---Display the picture Jesus Carrying a Lost Lamb

• Why do you think the Savior is often depicted as a shepherd?
• What Christlike qualities and attributes can help Church leaders watch over and care for the members of the Church?
• How have you been blessed by the Christlike love or example of a Church leader?

---In 1 Peter 5:7–14 Peter taught the Saints to cast their care (meaning anxiety) upon the Savior Jesus Christ and to remain steadfast in their faith, despite afflictions. Peter assured them that if they did so, God would perfect and strengthen them.

Scripture Mastery—1 Peter 4:6

To encourage students to participate in the work of salvation for their ancestors, review with them 1 Peter 4:6, and then ask:

• What can we do to help our ancestors who have received the gospel in the spirit world and are waiting to be freed from spirit prison?
• How do you feel you have been blessed by doing family history and temple work for your ancestors?

Invite students to seek opportunities to do family history research about their ancestors and to participate in temple ordinances in behalf of those ancestors.

Lesson 145: 1 Peter 3–5

---Look for a principle in 1 Peter 3:1–17 that will help guide you when you are presented with opportunities to share the gospel with others.

• What words in verse 15 describe how we should share and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ? (fear means reverence or awe in this context.)

---Conclude by encouraging students to trust in and follow those whom the Lord has called to help shepherd and care for them spiritually.