Purpose
To encourage class members to seek promptings from the Holy Ghost and to avoid attitudes and actions that will keep them from receiving these promptings.
Preparation
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Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
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Acts 18:23–19:41. Paul begins his third missionary journey. Aquila and Priscilla teach the gospel to Apollos. Paul teaches, baptizes, and confers the gift of the Holy Ghost on believers in Ephesus. Demetrius and the other silversmiths stir up the people of Ephesus against Paul.
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Acts 20. Paul leaves Ephesus and preaches in Macedonia and Greece. On his way back to Jerusalem, he gives a farewell address to the Church leaders from Ephesus, warning against apostasy.
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Galatians. Paul writes a letter chastising the Galatians for returning to the law of Moses. He reminds them of the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ and encourages them to seek the fruits of the Spirit.
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Additional reading: Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost,” 704; “Pauline Epistles: Epistle to the Galatians,” 744–45.
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If a map showing Paul’s third missionary journey is available (map 13 in the LDS edition of the Bible printed in 1999 or later; map 21 in printings before 1999), you may want to use it during the lesson.
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Suggestion for teaching: Some of the best stories and examples are those that come out of your own life. Rely on the Spirit to help you know which of your experiences would be appropriate and useful to share with class members. (See Teaching, No Greater Call [36123], pages 178–82.)
Suggested Lesson Development
Additional Teaching Idea
The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may want to use this idea as part of the lesson.
Teaching the gospel as Paul did
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What can we learn from Paul about teaching the gospel? (See Acts 19:8–10, 21; 20:7–12, 18–24, 27, 31, 35–36. See also the discussion of 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and 1 Thessalonians 2:2–12 in lesson 31.)
List class members’ responses on the chalkboard, and discuss how we can follow Paul’s example in our teaching.