WEEK 7: SHARE AND REPORT

CHOICE ONE: Philippians 1-4. Find solutions to Life’s Challenges; For each of the following common challenges, write the counsel from Philippians that you would use to resolve it:

-People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings of throughout the week.

We must all be of one accord, one mind. We should do nothing in strife and vainglory, let each esteem others better then themselves. Do all things without murmurings and disputes.

-Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents they rely on them for all their spiritual strength.

Some day those parents, or those children will no longer be in the same house as us. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling...not relying on our parents’ testimonies.

-An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does.

One must forget those things which are behind, and reach for what is ahead. Nothing bad can possibly happen for joining Christ’s church. Considering losing the potential knowledge of the Savior if you didn’t join...

-How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3?

We can learn all things from Christ, even these modern day questions. It’s amazing how the words of Christ are always applicable.

WEEK 5: SHARE AND REPORT

1.From Romans 3:1-13 answer the following:

What must be done with sin before baptism can occur?

One must understand the atonement and the repentance process must take place before on can be baptized.

What events from Christs life are symbolized in baptism?

Christ’s birth and burial are symbolized in baptism.

Considering this symbolism, why couldn’t someone be baptized by sprinkling?

We must put to death this old life and rise with a newness of life like Christ did. Sprinkling with water would not have the same meaning and symbolism.

What do these verses teach us about how we can maintain the “newness of life”?

 We read that we must to “Let no sin therefore reign in your mortal body...” We are asked to avoid sin and live in Christ.

According to Mosiah 3:19, what part of us would ideally die at baptism?

We must put off the natural man, and become a saint.

WEEK 4: SHARE AND REPORT

REVIEW 2 CORINTHIANS 6:11-18. THEN WRITE A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE MEANING OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PHRASES AS WELL AS AN EXAMPLE FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” 

“...for what  fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?...” Paul is telling the people of Corinth to not be yoked with those of other faiths. This isn’t to say that we can’t be friends with non members, that’s missionary work at it’s best. It’s to say that we aren’t to be held back or moved forward by those of unbelievers, they will usually move you off the path. I see this a lot in the high school years with students. You might be on the football team with nonmembers but it doesn’t mean you need to go to all the parties and crazy stuff.

“Come out from among them, and be ye separate.”

I feel like this passage of scripture is giving reference to us being a strange and peculiar people. We will stand out of the world with our values and principles, making us completely separate from the worlds principles and values. One can stand up for your beliefs and principles when encountered with conflicting principles, walking out on a inappropriate movie, saying no to an alcoholic drink when everyone else is drinking...etc.

“Touch not the unclean thing”

Pretty simple, don’t touch the unclean thing. Avoid contact with sin, avoid the appearance of sin. DON’T TOUCH IT! I remember as a kid, there was a penny candy store, and they sold gum cigarettes. A cylinder of gum with a piece of paper wrapped around it, with powered sugar in between them both. Before you chewed the gum you would pretend to smoke, or puff the cigarette blowing the powered sugar out from your mouth. Well, others saw me do this, and my mother got calls about me smoking. Big misunderstanding but it was the appearance of evil that got me in potential trouble.

WEEK 3: CLASS DISCUSSION

1. Read Luke 22:19  and identify the important word Luke used in describing the sacrament that Nephi also used but Paul did not.

REMEMBRANCE

2. What is the difference between what is taught in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 and 3 Nephi 18:28-29 with regard to the counsel about when to not partake of the sacrament?

In Corinthians, Paul says to allow the person eat and drink of the sacrament unworthily, and in 3 Nephi, Nephi suggest that we forbid him from partaking.

3. What did Paul teach that explains why we don’t want to partake of the sacrament unworthily?

Paul gives a warning that if we are to partake of the sacrament unworthily, we are “...guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

1. What can you do to make the sacrament a more meaningful experience in your life both on Sundays and during the week?

During the sacrament on Sunday, I like to think of the sacrament as a funeral. The funeral is for Christ, and at any funeral we commemorate the deceased, the deceased being Christ. Thinking of the sacrament table as the body and blood of Christ covered up with a white cloth. By doing that I am more focused on the Atonement of Christ.

WEEK 3:SHARE AND REPORT

CHOICE 5: 1 CORINTHIANS 10. HOW CHRIST HELPS US OVERCOME SIN

Ways in which Christ is like a “Rock”:

A rock is strong and immovable. Christ can be strong and immovable. A rock is  steadfast and hard, Christ is steadfast and hard. A rock can be used for a foundation, Christ and his Gospel is the foundation of our faith and testimony.

Verse 13 of chapter 10 is reassuring because:

Looking at all the sins Paul mentions in the selected verses, and keeping in mind all the sins available today, verse 13 is really reassuring. It’s reassuring because any sin....ANY SIN that is here and that we are tempted by, can be overcome with Christ help. Nothing that is thrown our way will or can overtake us. Nothing is impossible.

Why Paul discussed Christ as a “rock” in the same verse as 13:

Having reference of Christ being the “rock” in verse 13 is mentioned because we need that assurance of something true, steadfast and loyal. A rock is like that and we can trust in Christ in this promise. 

How Alma 13:28 expands our understanding of what Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

The verse in Alma expands our understanding of the verse in Corinthians in a way that we are required to do something. We can’t just expect a sin that can’t be overcome, but we need to pray that we can overcome it. By doing this we become patient, humble, meek, submissive, full of love, and all-long-suffering.

WEEK 2: SHARE AND REPORT

Choice #1

PROPER AUTHORITY AND MINISTERING TO THE PEOPLE

A. 5 Things Paul performed with the proper priesthood authority:

a. Baptism

b. Conferring the Gift of the Holy Ghost

c. Administered the Sacrament

d. Performed blessings to the sick

e. Brought back life into somebody

1. What did Paul do for the Corinthians saints because it hand’t been done right the first time?
1. The baptisms and the conferring of the gift of the Holy Ghost.
2. How does this help answer the question many nonmembers have about the need of being baptized when they have already been baptized.
1. This actually helps a lot. Nonmembers need to be baptized by someone holding the proper authority in order for the ordinance to do it’s thing. Just like a Cop can give you a ticket for speeding, and not the Ice Cream man. God has a house of order and things are done a certain way. Take this example as an example.
3. In what way did Paul bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost?
1. Acts 19:6 “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” Just the same way we do now. Paul holds the priesthood, and laid his hands on the people of Corinth and conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost.
4. On what day of the week did the saints meet to break bread? What evidence is there in John 20:1, 19 for why the Sabbath day was changed?
1. The saints gathered for the sacrament on the FIRST DAY of the week, SUNDAY. Christ was crucified on a Friday, and rose on the 3rd day after that (including Friday) and that was Sunday. We partake of the Sacrament to help us remember this glorious event.

WEEK 1: SHARE AND REPORT

CHOICE 2: ACTS 16;18 PAUL’S SECOND MISSION

1. From Bible Map 13, a list of 4 cities that Paul visited, and later wrote epistles to:
1. Ephesus
2. Corinth
3. Philippi
4. Thessalonica 

Paul and his companions were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach in Asia, and wanted to preach in Bithynia but the spirit said no. Paul was visited in a dream by the Holy Ghost to preach to the people of Macedonia. Another vision at night to Paul from the Lord encouraging him to speak, and reassuring him that He is with him.

During my mission I have felt the influences of the Holy Ghost, maybe not as drastic as Paul (dreams, visions) but subtle things. Guiding me in which street to knock, and what to say in conversation that led to the gospel. Many wonderful blessing have come of following the Holy Ghost. I could pray directly to be given talents to notice the Holy Ghost more, in order to have more missionary experiences.

2.Reasons why Paul was able to preach the Gospel so effectively:

1. Visions on where to go
2. Immediatley acted to go and do what was asked
3. Baptized
4. Prayed often
5. Spirit of divination
6. Casted out devils
7. Sang praises unto God
8. Protected others

-In what ways did Paul turn his experiences into missionary opportunities?

The coolest example that I found worth mentioning, is when Paul and Silas sang praises unto God while in prison. By doing that, that led to the missionary experience with the jailer.

-What can you learn from Paul’s missionary experiences?

What I learned from Pauls missionary experiences is to make a good thing come out of a bad thing. Being thrown into prison can be pretty bad...but immediately he turned it into a missionary experience. He also acted immediately after having a dream about going to Macedonia, the next morning he was on his way.

-How is the jailer an example of a true convert?

I think the jailer is an example of a true convert because he had already reacted to the power of God. He knew what Paul and Silas were capable of. The whole prison shook, the earth beneath him fell. From being apart of that, the jailer knew then on that whatever these guys had was important and powerful. He will probably never betray God, because of this eye witness of what God could do.

-What can you do now to better prepare yourself to share the gospel, whether as a full-time missionary or as a member?

I think one of the main attributes that I saw and felt as to helping me with missionary work was study. Studying in the way of knowing that I will be asked this question, or that question. Having that knowledge stored away inside me, and able, by the power of the Holy Ghost, and able to recite it at a necessary time.