Purpose
To help class members recognize that the work of the Church is done by many people, all of whom contribute their talents and testimonies to strengthen the Church.
Preparation
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Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
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Acts 6:1–7. The Twelve Apostles ordain seven men to supervise the temporal work of the Church.
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Acts 6:8–7:60. Stephen, one of the seven, testifies before the Sanhedrin. His words anger the people who are listening, and they take him out of the city and stone him to death.
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Acts 8:4–40. Philip, another of the seven, preaches and performs miracles in Samaria. He teaches and baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch.
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Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–31. Saul persecutes the Church until he receives a vision of Jesus Christ. Saul is converted and baptized and begins to preach the gospel.
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Additional reading: Acts 22:1–16; 26:1–5, 9–18.
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Suggestion for teaching: Remember that you are teaching a class of individuals. They may differ widely in life experiences, length of membership in the Church, understanding of gospel doctrine and principles, talents and abilities, and opportunities for education. Seek to understand class members’ differences and help each person understand the truths being taught. (See Teaching, No Greater Call [36123], pages 33–39.)
Suggested Lesson Development
Additional Teaching Ideas
The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may want to use one or both of these ideas as part of the lesson.
1. “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5)
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Have a class member read Acts 9:5. What does it mean to “kick against the pricks”? (To resist instruction or direction. A sharp stick is sometimes used to prick animals to make them move faster or in a certain direction. If an animal kicks against this stick while being pricked, it will hurt the animal more.) How were Saul’s actions before his vision harmful to him? How do we hurt ourselves when we fight against the truth?
2. Youth activity
Write the following words on wordstrips or on the chalkboard: Ananias, authority, evil, eyes, Holy Ghost, light, preach, scales, speechless, trembling, vessel, voice.
Have class members study Acts 9:1–22 and determine the significance and order of these words in the story of Saul’s conversion. Then have them tell the story, using all the words.