NT Lessons 145-146 1 Peter 3-5 and 2 Peter 1

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Lesson 145: 1 Peter 3–5

Introduction

Peter encouraged the Saints to be ready always to testify of Jesus Christ and to live righteously so they could dispel false accusations made against them. He taught that Jesus Christ preached the gospel in the spirit world after His death. Peter also admonished the elders of the Church to watch over God’s flock with the same care as Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd.

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

---Invite a student to read aloud 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?

---Invite students to look for a principle as they study 1 Peter 3:1–17 that will help guide them when they are presented with opportunities to share the gospel with others.

---Summarize 1 Peter 3:1–11 by explaining that 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.

---Invite a student to read 1 Peter 3:14–16 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, 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?

---Explain that 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? (You may want to explain that fear means reverence or awe in this context.)
• 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 should 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?

---To illustrate the truth on the board, invite a student to read aloud 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

---Invite students to imagine that they 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.”

---Ask students to ponder how they would respond.

---Invite half the class to read 1 Peter 3:18–20 silently, including the Joseph Smith Translation in verse 20, footnote a. Ask the other half to read 1 Peter 4:5–6 silently, including the Joseph Smith Translation in verse 6, footnote a. Ask students to look for truths Peter taught that they could share with the person in the scenario. Explain that 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.

1 Peter 4:6 is a scripture mastery passage. Studying scripture mastery passages will help students increase their understanding of basic doctrines and be prepared to teach them to others. You may want to suggest that students mark scripture mastery passages in a distinctive way so they will be able to locate them easily. Refer to the teaching idea at the end of the lesson to help students with their mastery of this passage.

---After sufficient time, ask:

• 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 (Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 127; see also LDS.org). Explain that 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.)

---Briefly review the scenario presented at the beginning of this scripture block and ask:

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

---Summarize 1 Peter 4:7–19 by explaining that 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

---Explain that to help prepare the Saints for the trials they would experience, Peter taught the elders of the Church about their responsibilities as Church leaders. Invite a student to read 1 Peter 5:1–3 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for Peter’s counsel to the elders of the Church.

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

---Explain that 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.)

---Invite students to read 1 Peter 5:4 silently, looking for how Peter referred to the Savior. Ask students to report what they find.

---Display the picture Jesus Carrying a Lost Lamb (Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 64; see also LDS.org), and ask:

• 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?

---Summarize 1 Peter 5:7–14 by explaining that 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.

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

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.

Commentary and Background Information

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).

Supplemental Teaching Idea

1 Peter 5:5–11. “Casting all your care upon him”

Remind students that Peter wrote his epistle to strengthen and encourage the Saints in the “trial of [their] faith” (1 Peter 1:7). Invite a student to read 1 Peter 5:5–11 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for additional counsel Peter gave the Saints that could help strengthen and encourage them as they faced affliction and persecution. Explain that in verse 10 the word stablish means to make firm or to support and that settle means to place on a firm foundation.

• What counsel stands out to you? Why?
• Point out the word care in verse 7, and explain that it refers to anxiety and worry.
• According to verse 7, why did Peter say members of the Church could cast their anxieties and worries upon the Lord?
• When have you felt or experienced the Savior’s care for you, especially in times of worry or distress?

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

Lesson 146: 2 Peter 1

Introduction

Peter encouraged the Saints to seek to become like Jesus Christ. Peter assured them that this spiritual growth could help make their “calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). Peter also spoke of his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration and emphasized that scripture is inspired by God.

I. 2 Peter 1:1–11  Peter teaches how to partake of the divine nature of Jesus Christ

---Before class begins, write the following statement on the board (“The Will Within,” Ensign, May 1987, 68):

“Our task is to become our best selves” (President Thomas S. Monson).

---Divide students into pairs. Invite them to read the statement on the board and discuss the following questions with their partners:

• What do you think President Monson meant by becoming “our best selves”?
• Why do you think it is important to become our best selves?
• What can prevent us from becoming our best selves?

---Invite students to look for a truth as they study 2 Peter 1 that can help them know how they can become their best selves.

---Summarize 2 Peter 1:1–2 by explaining that Peter wrote to Church members who had obtained faith in Jesus Christ.

---Invite a student to read 2 Peter 1:3–4 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what Peter taught to help the Saints stay true to their testimonies of the Savior.

• According to these verses, what did Peter teach the Saints?
• What does it mean to “be partakers of the divine nature”? (verse 4).

---Invite students to read 2 Peter 1:5–7 silently, looking for attributes of Jesus Christ that Peter invited the Saints to develop. Ask students to list on the board the attributes they find. Consider inviting students to locate in a dictionary the definitions of any of these attributes that they would like to better understand.

---Invite students to think about examples of when the Savior demonstrated one of these divine attributes. Ask several students to report their thoughts to the class.

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

As we develop divine attributes within ourselves, we can …

---Ask a student to read 2 Peter 1:8–9 aloud. Invite the class to follow along, looking for a blessing we can receive as we develop the divine attributes of the Savior.

• What blessing can we receive as we develop divine attributes? (After students respond, complete the statement on the board so that it reads as follows: As we develop divine attributes within ourselves, we can come to know Jesus Christ.)
• Why do you think developing divine attributes helps us come to know Jesus Christ?

---Invite a student to read 2 Peter 1:10–11 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for another blessing that can come to those who are diligent in developing divine attributes.

• What blessing can come to those who are diligent in developing the divine attributes of Jesus Christ? (Explain that the phrase “to make your calling and election sure” [verse 10] means to receive in this life God’s assurance that you will obtain eternal life. Peter also referred to this as “a more sure word of prophecy” [2 Peter 1:19. See also D&C 131:5].)
• What principle can we learn from these verses about why we should be diligent in developing our divine potential? (Students should identify the following principle: If we are diligent in developing our divine potential while in this life, we can receive God’s assurance of eternal life. Write this principle on the board.)

---Consider sharing your testimony that developing divine attributes helps us come to know Jesus Christ and prepares us to receive eternal life.

---Invite students to write in their class notebooks or scripture study journals one of the divine attributes they would most like to develop. Ask them to write a specific action they can take to develop that attribute.

II. 2 Peter 1:12–21  Peter shares his witness of Jesus Christ and teaches about scripture

---Consider writing on the board the ages of some of the oldest current Apostles. Read aloud the following statement by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Others say we are too old. Well, it is true that nine of the Apostles are over 80 years of age! I am 85” (“Be Still, and Know That I Am God” [Church Educational System devotional, May 4, 2014], broadcasts.lds.org).

• Why do you think some people are critical about the ages of some of the prophets and apostles?
• How would you respond to the criticism that modern-day prophets and apostles are too old to be effective?

---Invite students as they continue to study 2 Peter 1 to look for a truth about prophets and apostles that is more important than their ages.

---Explain that in 2 Peter 1:12–19 Peter shared his eyewitness testimony of Jesus Christ.

---Invite a student to read 2 Peter 1:20–21 aloud, including the Joseph Smith Translation of 2 Peter 1:20 found in verse 20, footnote a. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what Peter taught about the role of “holy men of God,” meaning in this case prophets.

• What did Peter teach about the role of prophets? (Students should identify the following truth: Prophets receive scripture through the Holy Ghost. Write this truth on the board.)

---To help the class understand what scripture is, invite a student to read the following statement aloud:

“[Scriptures are] words, both written and spoken, by holy men of God when moved upon by the Holy Ghost” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Scriptures,” scriptures.lds.org; see also D&C 68:2–4). Some scripture has been canonized. A canon is “a recognized, authoritative collection of sacred books. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the canonical books are called the standard works and include the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Canon,” scriptures.lds.org).

---Invite a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Ask the class to listen for his witness that prophets continue to receive scripture today.

“[Prophets are] the channel by which God has spoken to His children through the scriptures in times past. And it is this line through which He currently speaks through the teachings and counsel of living prophets and apostles and other inspired leaders” (“Two Lines of Communication,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 84).

• Why do you think it is important to know that God uses this pattern to produce scripture for His children?
• How does understanding this pattern give you greater confidence in the spoken and written word of both ancient and modern-day prophets?

---Read the following questions aloud, and invite students to write their answers in their class notebooks or scripture study journals.

• What passages of scripture, either from ancient prophets or from prophets today, have influenced your life? How have you been blessed through those scriptures?

---Invite a few students to share their responses with the class. You might also share an example of how you have been blessed through scripture.

---Refer to the preceding statement by Elder Oaks, and invite students to testify to others as the Spirit directs about the reality of prophets and scripture.

Commentary and Background Information

2 Peter 1:10. “Give diligence to make your calling and election sure”

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that “to have one’s calling and election made sure is to be sealed up unto eternal life; it is to have the unconditional guarantee of exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world … prior to the day when the faithful actually enter into the divine presence to sit with Christ in his throne” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 3:330–31).

Elder McConkie also taught the following:

“Everyone in the Church who is on the straight and narrow path, who is striving and struggling and desiring to do what is right, though is far from perfect in this life; if he passes out of this life while he’s on the straight and narrow, he’s going to go on to eternal reward in his Father’s kingdom.

“… If you’re on that path and pressing forward, and you die, you’ll never get off the path. … What you have to do is stay in the mainstream of the Church and live as upright and decent people live in the Church—keeping the commandments, paying your tithing, serving in the organizations of the Church, loving the Lord, staying on the straight and narrow path. If you’re on that path when death comes—because this is the time and the day appointed, this is the probationary estate—you’ll never fall off from it, and, for all practical purposes, your calling and election is made sure. Now, that isn’t the definition of that term, but the end result will be the same” (“The Probationary Test of Mortality,” Salt Lake Institute of Religion devotional, Jan. 10, 1982, 12–13).

2 Peter 1:19. “A more sure word of prophecy”

Modern revelation confirms and clarifies the meaning of the phrase “more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19). Doctrine and Covenants 131:5 states, “The more sure word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood.”

Faithful female as well as male members of the Church may obtain the blessing of having one’s calling and election made sure, or receiving the more sure word of prophecy.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

“Those members of the Church who devote themselves wholly to righteousness, living by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God, make their calling and election sure. That is, they receive the more sure word of prophecy, which means that the Lord seals their exaltation upon them while they are yet in this life. Peter summarized the course of righteousness which the saints must pursue to make their calling and election sure and then (referring to his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration with James and John) said that those three had received this more sure word of prophecy. (2 Pet. 1.)” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 109).

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught:

“After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter. …

“Who is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; … when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend to him, or appear unto him” (in History of the Church, 3:380–81).

2 Peter 1:20–21. “Holy men of God”

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles commented on the advantages of having mature, experienced leaders in the presiding councils of the Church:

“There is something about the individual and combined wisdom of the Brethren that should provide some comfort. We have experienced it all, including the consequences of different public laws and policies, disappointments, tragedies, and deaths in our own families. We are not out of touch with your lives.

“Let me also observe that none of the Twelve are shrinking violets. We each have strong personalities. So when we are unified in a decision, you can rest assured that we have counseled together and come to that decision after much prayer and thoughtful discussion. …

“We are young at heart, and the Lord blesses us to move His work forward in remarkable ways” (“Be Still, and Know That I Am God” [Church Educational System devotional, May 4, 2014], broadcast.lds.org).

Supplemental Teaching Idea

2 Peter 1:4–7. “Divine nature”

Divine nature is one of the values emphasized in the Young Women Personal Progress program. This lesson provides an opportunity to encourage young women to work on or repeat a value experience related to divine nature.

Point out that developing Christlike attributes is an important part of being an effective missionary (see Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 115–26). Consider inviting students to complete the attribute activity at the end of chapter 6 in Preach My Gospel (126).

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

Strive to help students become converted

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught: “The pure gospel of Jesus Christ must go down into the hearts of students by the power of the Holy Ghost. … Our aim must be for them to become truly converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ while they are with us” (“We Must Raise Our Sights” [CES conference on the Book of Mormon, Aug. 14, 2001], 2).