Tag Archives: Paul

Jul 31 2023

Acts 22-28

Posted on by

Table of Contents

Acts CHAPTER 22 Paul recounts the story of his conversion and also tells of seeing Jesus in a vision—He is accorded some privileges as a Roman citizen.

Acts CHAPTER 23 Paul is smitten at Ananias’s order—The Lord again appears to Paul—Forty Jews plot his death—He is delivered over to Felix.

Acts CHAPTER 24 Paul is accused of sedition—He answers in defense of his life and doctrine—He teaches Felix of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come.

Acts CHAPTER 25 Paul, before Festus, appeals unto Cæsar—Agrippa desires to hear Paul.

Acts CHAPTER 26 Paul recounts his former persecution of the Saints as a Pharisee—He testifies of the appearance of Jesus on the Damascus road—Paul bears his testimony to King Agrippa.

Acts CHAPTER 27 Paul, in a perilous voyage, travels toward Rome—An angel comforts him—He uses the gift of seership—He is shipwrecked.

Acts CHAPTER 28 Paul is unharmed by a viper’s bite—He heals the sick in Melita—He preaches in Rome, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.

Friend October 2019 “Paul’s Missionary Journeys”

[unitegallery 2019Oct]

Heavenly Father and Jesus care about me and will help me during hard times.

Acts 23:10–11

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Learning about how the Savior helped Paul can build the children’s faith that Heavenly Father and Jesus care about them.

Share the story in Acts 23:10–11 of the Savior visiting Paul in prison. Or show the video “Be of Good Cheer” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), which portrays this story. Share a time when you had a trial and received guidance and comfort from God. Ask the children to share times when they felt comforted by God.

  • Friend August 2023 “Never Really Alone” Ethan has brittle bone disease, a sickness that made his bones break easily. One night, after breaking his leg at school when stepping off a swing, he becomes worried that someday he might break a bone when no one is there to help. His father tells him that Heavenly Father is always watching over him and that he is never really alone.
  • Friend November 2021 “The Baptism Journal” A girl misses her friends during Covid and she prays for peace. She is inspired to look at her baptism journal. It reminds her of her testimony and that the Holy Ghost can comfort her. She shares it with a lonely neighbor and explains that it reminds her that Jesus loves her.
  • Friend March 2019 “Missing Mom and Dad” Dylan’s mom and dad were going on a trip, and he was going to stay with his grandparents. He loved staying with his grandparents, but for some reason he was scared about being away from his mom and dad for so long. He decided to pray for help, and he received comforting thoughts and feelings.

Help the children memorize what Jesus said to Paul: “Be of good cheer.” Ask the children to think of someone they can invite to be of good cheer—perhaps someone who is sad or worried.

Sing a song with the children about being happy, such as “Smiles” (Children’s Songbook, 267).

Latter Days Kids “Be of Good Cheer” Lesson ideas

When I face adversity, God does not forsake me.

Acts 23:10–11; 27:18–25; 28:1–6

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Throughout the trials Paul experienced, the Lord was with him. How can you help the children liken Paul’s experiences to their own lives?

Using Acts 23:10, explain that Paul was put in prison because he taught the people about Jesus. Then read Acts 23:11 with the children. Or show the video “Be of Good Cheer” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), which portrays this story. Why could Paul “be of good cheer” even though he was in prison?

Write on the board Acts 23:10–11; Acts 27:18–25; and Acts 28:1–6. Show pictures of a jail, a ship, and a snake, and invite the children to review these verses and match them with the pictures. In each of these accounts, how did the Lord show Paul that He was with him?

clipart library
clipart library
clipart library

Share an experience when the Lord was with you during a difficult time and how it strengthened your testimony of Him. Encourage the children to also share experiences.

  • Friend August 2021 “Peace through Priesthood Power” When Elder Steven R. Bangerter was a child, he had gamma globulin anemia which made it hard for his body to fight off germs, so he got sick a lot. One night he had an earache so bad that he thought his head would explode. He father gave him a blessing and he was able to sleep through the night and feel better the next day. The next few year his father continued to give him priesthood blessings. He taught him that those blessings were opportunities for Heavenly Father to speak to him. His sickness became a way for Heavenly Father to help his faith to grow.
  • Friend February 2023 “Lost and Found Friends” Leah didn’t know anyone in her new class. She hoped she could make a friend. A girl named Anna sat next to and asked if Leah wanted to be friends. They were good friends through the year and played together every day. Then Anna started acting strange and not talking to her. When asked why, Anna said her new friend said Leah was weird and she didn’t think they could hang out anymore. Leah was hurt, but soon school ended and she was busy with lots of activities hanging out with her best friend. School was about to start and Leah was worried about not having a friend. She kept praying for help. Then on the first day of school she found that her best friend was in her class. Heavenly Father had helped her.

I can share my testimony with others.

Acts 26:1–29

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Reviewing Paul’s testimony before King Agrippa can help the children learn how to share what they know is true.

Bring a paper crown to class and let a child wear it and pretend to be King Agrippa. Invite another child to stand before the king to represent Paul as you summarize Paul’s testimony and the reaction of King Agrippa, found in Acts 26:1–29 (see “Chapter 63: Paul Finishes His Mission,” in New Testament Stories, 162–66, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Explain that we can share our testimonies with others, as Paul did.

“A Child of God—No Matter What!,” Friend, Jan. 2009, 34–35

  • Friend February 2016 “Testimony Treasure” Sabrina learns that a testimony is a treasure you want to share with others, so she shared her testimony with her friend that going to church and learning about Jesus makes her feel happy. Her friend then went to church and told Sabrina that it did make her feel happy.
image
image
image

Ask the children to listen while you sing or read a song about testimony, such as “I Know My Father Lives” (Children’s Songbook, 5). Invite the children to raise their hands when they hear something they know is true. You may want to sing the song several times; invite the children to join you once they’re familiar with the words. Help them practice sharing their testimonies of things they know are true.

Use this week’s activity page to help the children think about something they could say when they share their testimonies (see the Articles of Faith for more ideas). Invite them to share their testimonies with someone in their family.

  • “Time for family home evening!” Dad called.
  • Gunnar came running. He loved home evenings. Climbing up on the sofa, he snuggled between Ryan and Mom.
  • After the opening song and prayer, Dad stood up. “We’re going to have a special home evening,” he said. “Tonight we are going to have a testimony meeting.”
  • Testimony? Gunnar couldn’t remember his Primary teacher ever talking about a testimony in nursery. “What’s a testimony, Daddy?” he asked.
  • Dad smiled at Gunnar. “A testimony is what you believe about Heavenly Father and Jesus and the Church. It’s what you feel inside about them,” Dad said. “And you want to share your testimony because it means so much to you.”
  • “Oh.”
  • Then Dad said, “I have a testimony that Jesus Christ lives. And He loves each one of us.”
  • Emily was next. “I know that the Book of Mormon is true.”
  • “I’m glad that we have prophets,” said Ryan. “I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet.”
  • Mom said, “I’m grateful that your father and I were married in the temple, so we can be a family forever.” She reached into her pocket for a tissue to wipe her eyes.
  • Everyone in the family had shared a testimony except Gunnar.
  • A testimony is something I believe. Something I feel inside, Gunnar thought. Now he knew what he could say. He scooted off the sofa, stood straight and tall, and said, “I am a child of God.” Then he sat down. Mom gave him a little squeeze, and she had to get out that tissue again.
  • Gunnar had a happy feeling inside.

I can boldly share my testimony of Jesus Christ.

Acts 26

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Paul’s courage in sharing his testimony can help the children be bold when sharing their testimonies.

Select verses from Acts 26 to read with the children to help them understand what Paul told King Agrippa about his experiences (such as verses 9–16) and what he taught about Jesus Christ (such as verses 18, 23). You might also show a portion of the video “Paul: A Chosen Vessel” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Why might it have been scary for Paul to share these things before the king? Invite the children to list some gospel principles they know to be true. Ask them to think of someone they know who needs to hear their testimony of these truths.

  • Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” When Paul delivered the powerful testimonies recorded in Acts 22 and 26, he was being held prisoner by Roman soldiers. The people he spoke to had the power to condemn him to death. Yet he chose to boldly bear witness of Jesus Christ and “the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19) he had received. What inspires you about his words? Consider the opportunities you have to share your testimony. For example, do your friends know how you feel about Jesus Christ? Or when was the last time you told your family how you gained your testimony of the gospel?

Invite the children to use this week’s activity page to write something they might say when they share their testimonies.

Friend July 2015
Friend July 2015 lesson ideas too

Prophets warn me of danger.

Acts 27

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Consider how the account of Paul’s shipwreck can teach the children that prophets see physical and spiritual danger that we can’t see.

Invite the children to pretend they are on a ship that is being wrecked in a storm. Read Paul’s warning to the people, found in Acts 27:9–10, and share the story of the shipwreck that happened because they didn’t listen to his warning (see Acts 27:11, 39–44). Show a picture of the President of the Church, and bear your testimony that he can warn us of spiritual dangers.

Place several pictures or objects around the room that represent things prophets have taught us to do to be more like Jesus, such as loving others or being baptized. As a class, walk around the room, stopping at each picture or object to talk about how following the prophet’s teachings helps to keep us safe.

  • The pictures below match each of the prophets words in the activity above.
Friend May 2017
Friend July 2016
Friend July 2016
Friend January 2016
Friend January 2016
Friend June 2011
Friend June 2011
Friend September 2019
Ensign April 2016
Ensign April 2016

Prophets warn me of danger.

Acts 27

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Children can listen to the messages of living prophets and recognize their warnings. How can you help the children learn how to heed those warnings?

  • New Testament Seminary Student Manual (2023) “Acts 27-28” Complete the following activity by first reading the information at the top of each square. Then read the accompanying verses in Acts 27. Summarize the account in the center of each box by either drawing a simple picture or writing a summary of Paul’s words and actions. Be sure to also include the reaction of the people to Paul’s counsel.
Roman soldiers brought Paul and other prisoners onto a ship of almost 300 people. Their voyage was slow, difficult, and dangerous because it was late in the fall, when violent storms occurred frequently.Read Acts 27:9–13.During a terrible storm, attempts were made to repair the ship and lighten the cargo.Read Acts 27:20–26.
After 14 days of the terrible storm, they attempted a perilous approach to land. The sailors dropped anchor and wanted to abandon the ship because they thought it would be dashed against the rocks.Read Acts 27:30–36.After lightening the ship even further, they tried to land the ship.Read Acts 27:41–44.

Cut a piece of paper shaped like a ship into puzzle pieces. Invite the children to write Paul’s warnings in Acts 27:9–11 on the pieces and put the puzzle together.

Clipart Library

Why didn’t the people listen to Paul? (see verse 11). Invite the children to read verses 18–20 and 40–44 to find out what happened as a result. (Explain that because the people followed Paul’s later counsel to stay on the ship, no one died in the shipwreck; see verses 30–32.) What can we learn from this experience about following the prophet?

Bring a recent conference message by the President of the Church and share with the children any warnings or counsel he gave. Invite the children to think of ways they can follow the prophet.

President Nelson’s Warning:

“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost,”

President Nelson’s Teachings:

  • Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.”
  • “I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation.”
  • “I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.”
  • Humble yourself before God.
  • Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father.
  • Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
  • Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart.
  • Listen!
  • Write the thoughts that come to your mind.
  • Record your feelings.
  • Follow through with actions that you are prompted to take.

The Red Crystal

Show the video “Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How are prophets like the man with the binoculars?

Additional Resources

  • Lesson 44: Paul the Missionary Primary 7: New Testament manual Lesson Purpose: To encourage each child to prepare now to be a missionary and share the gospel with others.
  • Lesson 45: Paul’s Journey to Rome Primary 7: New Testament manual Lesson Purpose: To help each child learn more about the gifts of the Spirit, which come through the Holy Ghost.
  • Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures
Jul 23 2023

Acts 16-21

Posted on by

Table of Contents

Acts CHAPTER 16 Paul is directed in a vision to preach in Macedonia—He casts an evil spirit out of a woman—He and Silas are imprisoned, and they convert the jailor—They admonish all to believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved.

Acts CHAPTER 17 Paul and Silas preach and are persecuted in Thessalonica and in Berea—Paul, in Athens, preaches from Mars’ Hill about the unknown god—He says, We are the offspring of God.

Acts CHAPTER 18 Being rejected by the Jews, Paul turns to the Gentiles—He preaches, ministers, and travels—Apollos also preaches with power.

Acts CHAPTER 19 Paul confers the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands—He preaches and works many miracles—The sons of Sceva fail to cast out devils by exorcism—The worshippers of Diana (Artemis) raise a tumult against Paul.

Acts CHAPTER 20 Paul raises Eutychus from death—Paul is free from the blood of all men—He predicts apostasy from within the Church—He reveals a teaching from Jesus, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts CHAPTER 21 Paul journeys to Jerusalem—He is persecuted, arrested, and bound.

Paul’s Journeys to Preach the Gospel

  • New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2023) “Acts 17:16–34“In His parting words to His Apostles, the Savior commanded them to “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). Paul and his companions made remarkable progress in fulfilling this commandment.

Missionaries teach people about Jesus.

Acts 16:25–34

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 16-21” Do the children you teach know what missionaries do? How can you help the children understand that they can share the gospel with others?

Help the children act out Acts 16:25–34 as you summarize the account of Paul and Silas sharing the gospel in prison (see also “Chapter 61: Paul and Silas in Prison,” in New Testament Stories, 158–60, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Explain that missionaries today also teach people about Jesus and help them prepare to be baptized.

Create missionary name tags for the children to wear, and help them write their names on the tags.

  • Friend October 2015 One way to become a good missionary is to try to be more like Jesus. Cut out the badges and fill in a trait you would like to practice. Maybe you could work on being “Elder Kind” or “Sister Grateful.” Put your badge where it can remind you of your goal.

Teach the children simple statements of doctrine that they can share with others, such as “I am a child of God,” “God speaks through a living prophet,” or “Jesus Christ is our Savior.” Remind the children that we don’t have to have a missionary name tag to share the gospel with others.

Friend July 2023 “I Can Tell Others About Jesus”

I can be a missionary now.

Acts 16:14–15, 25–34; 18:7–8, 24–28

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 16-21” How can you help the children be like Paul and share with others what they are learning about the gospel?

Invite the children to read Acts 16:14–15, 25–34; 18:7–8, 24–28 and make a list of the people Paul and Apollos shared the gospel with. Then invite them to make a list of people they can share the gospel with. Let the children role-play how they might tell these people about Jesus Christ or invite them to church. You could also invite the children to write notes bearing testimony of a gospel truth to these people.

  • Pass around a picture of Jesus Christ. Ask the children to take turns holding the picture and saying one thing they know about Him. What has He done for us? (Pictures in the Gospel Art Book could provide some ideas.)
  • Friend January 2019 “Something Special to Share” Diego wants to take something special to share for Show and Tell. He decides to take a picture of Jesus and tell them that Jesus loves everyone.

[unitegallery 2019Januar]

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “John 1“

Invite current full-time missionaries, returned missionaries, or ward missionaries to visit the class and tell about their experiences with sharing the gospel. Encourage the children to ask questions about how they can share the gospel with others.

  • To inspire your family to share the gospel, you could show one or more of the videos in the “Sharing the Gospel” section of the Gospel Library.

The scriptures testify of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Acts 17:10–12

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 16-21” Though some of the children you teach might not be able to read yet, you can help them develop a love for the scriptures and see how they testify of the Savior.

Help one of the children read the phrase “They … searched the scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). Invite the children to point to each day of the week on a calendar as they repeat this phrase with you.

  • Friend June 1991 “Read the Scriptures Daily” How many times do you eat each day? How long have you gone without eating anything at all? When you go without food and water, your stomach starts to growl with hunger and your body feels weak. Just as your body needs to be fed every day to keep it strong and healthy, your spirit needs daily nourishment to be strong and to stay close to Heavenly Father. One way to do this is by reading the scriptures.
  • There are thirty numbered spaces in the picture (below). Starting with number one, color one space for each day that you read the scriptures. At the end of thirty days, you will have a completed picture and will have established a scripture-reading routine.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022

Sing together a song that teaches about the blessings of reading the scriptures, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109).

To teach the children that the scriptures testify of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, help them turn to a chapter in the scriptures, like Acts 17 or 18, and find words like God, Lord, or Jesus. (You may want to mark these words beforehand so the children can find them more easily.) Each time the children find one of these words, invite them to share something they know about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The scriptures testify of Jesus Christ.

Acts 17:2–4, 10–12; 18:28

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 16-21” All of the prophets testify of Jesus Christ. How can you teach the children to find Him in the scriptures, even when He isn’t mentioned by name?

Help the children read Acts 17:2–4, 10–12; 18:28, and invite them to look for what these passages have in common. According to these verses, what helped people believe the gospel of Jesus Christ? Invite the children to share favorite stories about Jesus that they have learned from the scriptures.

  • Have the children review the following list and then have them choose one. Click on the link to the picture and show it as they tell their favorite story of Jesus. Color the scripture on the above chart
  1. Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7GAK “The Birth of Jesus”
  2. Luke 2:1–7GAK “The Nativity”
  3. Luke 2:8–20GAK “The Announcement of Christ’s Birth to the Shepherds”
  4. Matthew 2:1–12GAK “The Wise Men”
  5. Matthew 2:13–15GAK “Flight into Egypt”
  6. Luke 2:40GAK “Childhood of Jesus Christ”
  7. Luke 2:41–52GAK “Boy Jesus in the Temple”
  8. Matthew 3:13–17GAK “John the Baptist Baptizing Jesus”
  9. John 9:1–17, 32–38GAK “Christ Healing a Blind Man”
  10. Matthew 8:23–27GAK “Stilling the Storm”
  11. Matthew 19:13–15GAK “Christ and the Children”
  12. Matthew 5:1–10; 6:9–13GAK “Sermon on the Mount”
  13. John 11:1–3, 17–27, 41–44GAK “Jesus Raising Lazarus from the Dead”
  14. Luke 17:11–19GAK “Ten Lepers”
  15. Matthew 21:12–15GAK “Jesus Cleansing the Temple”
  16. Matthew 26:17–30GAK “The Last Supper”
  17. Matthew 26:36–45GAK “Jesus Praying in Gethsemane”
  18. Mark 14:42–46GAK “The Betrayal of Jesus”
  19. Luke 23:32–46GAK “The Crucifixion”
  20. John 20:11–18GAK “Mary and the Resurrected Lord”
  21. Luke 24:36–43GAK “Jesus Shows His Wounds”
  22. 3 Nephi 11:1–17GAK “Jesus Teaching in the Western Hemisphere”
  23. 3 Nephi 17:1–10GAK “Jesus Healing the Nephites”
  24. Joseph Smith—History 1:14–20GAK “The First Vision”
  25. D&C 76:22–24GAK “The Resurrected Jesus Christ”

On slips of paper, write scripture references that teach about the Savior (you can find some in Guide to the Scriptures, “Jesus Christ,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Hide the papers around the room and invite the children to find them. Help the children look up the references they find, and ask them to share with each other what each scripture teaches about Jesus.

I am a child of God. (Younger Children)

Acts 17:22–31

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 16-21” On Mars’ Hill, Paul taught basic truths about the nature of God, including the truths that we are His children and that He is “not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27). How can you help the children feel close to their Heavenly Father?

Invite the children to repeat the phrase “We are the offspring of God” (Acts 17:29), and explain that offspring means children. Bear your testimony to each child, one by one, that he or she is a child of God. Invite them to share how they feel about their Heavenly Father.

  • Print one of the below image for each child and have them write their name on the line in the sentence and then draw a picture of themself

Show pictures of children with their families (if possible, include pictures of the children in your class). Ask the children to point to the parents in the pictures. Explain that we are the children of our mothers and fathers, and all of us are also spirit children of our heavenly parents.

Media Library “Family Portraits”
  • Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits, so we can grow to be like him. Heavenly Father is loving, good, and kind. When we are loving, good, and kind, we are being like Heavenly Father.  We should try to become more like Heavenly Father every day.

Sing a song about Heavenly Father, such as “I Know My Father Lives” (Children’s Songbook, 5). With help from the children, write words or draw pictures on the board that represent things we learn about Heavenly Father from the song.

Friend April 2015
Friend December 2015 

Read to the children these words from Acts 17:27: “He be not far from every one of us.” Talk about times when you have felt close to Heavenly Father, and invite the children to do the same.

  • Friend August 2017 “Ralphie’s Amazing Find” A boy is upset that his best friend is moving. He takes his dog for a walk, and his dog discovers a beautiful waterfall. The boy feels God’s love for him.

I am a child of God. (Older Children)

Acts 17:22–31

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 16-21” How can you help the children remember that they are children of God?

Show the children a stone, and explain that in Paul’s day, people worshipped gods they made out of stone and other materials.

Rocks PNGs by Vecteezy
Clipart Library

Ask the children to read Acts 17:27–29. What do we learn about God from these verses? Explain that offspring means children. Ask the children how it makes them feel to know that they are children of God. (Explain that we are the children of our mothers and fathers, and all of us are also spirit children of our heavenly parents.)

Friend April 2015
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 16-21”

Ask the children to read Acts 17:27. Invite the children to write about or draw pictures of ways they can “feel after” or come closer to God. When have they felt that He is “not far from [them]”?

  • The below pictures can help the children with ideas on how they can come closer to God.
Friend June 2021
  • Talk to Him through Daily Prayer Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him. What a marvelous and wonderful thing is prayer. Think of it. We can actually speak with our Father in Heaven.” God wants to hear from you, and He is always available to listen. He wants to hear about your day, he wants to hear what you are grateful for, and He wants to hear how He can help you. Latter Day Saint Channel “How to Build a Relationship with God“
  • Study God’s Words in the Scriptures and from His Living prophets. Some describe the scriptures as “God’s love letter” to us. In the scriptures we learn more about God and of his love for us and how we can become like him and draw closer to him.
  • Keep the Commandments When we live righteously we are be blessed with “His Spirit to be with us”.
  • Go to Church Meetings and Temples. We learn of God and feel his Spirit in church meetings and at temples.
  • Take the Sacrament and Remember Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father loves us and sent Jesus to help us and be our Savior. Remembering Jesus Christ and what he did for us and the example he set helps us see and understand who our Heavenly Father is and how we can become closer to him.
  • Be Grateful for Our Blessings. The earth and everything on it was created under the direction of Heavenly Father. Gratitude for our many blessings helps us feel closer to Heavenly Father.
  • New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2023) “Acts 17:16–34” Seek the Lord Consider hiding something in the classroom that students would enjoy finding, like a piece of candy. Invite students to search for the hidden surprise until it is found. Discuss the effort students put into finding the object and why effort is needed to obtain something worthwhile. Encourage students to analyze Acts 17:27, including the Joseph Smith Translation found in footnote b. Point out that Paul testified to the Athenians that God is close to His children and desires all to seek after Him.

Additional Resources

Primary 7 Manual: New Testament “Lesson 43: Paul Testifies of Jesus Christ”

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Acts 16-21”

Acts 19:1–7.

Importance of being baptized and confirmed These verses can help your family have a discussion about the importance of being baptized and confirmed. To better understand the truths in Acts 19:1–7, you could discuss some things that are useless without something else, such as a cell phone without a battery. Or you could share this teaching from the Prophet Joseph Smith: “Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 95). Why is baptism “good for nothing” without receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost? (see 3 Nephi 27:19–20; Moses 6:59–61).

Acts 19:18–20.

Sacrifice As you read Acts 19:18–20, notice the value of the possessions that the people were willing to give up in order to embrace the gospel (see verse 19). Are there worldly possessions or activities we need to give up in order to receive heavenly blessings?

Acts 20:32–35.

More blessed to give than receive When has your family experienced Christ’s teaching that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”? (Acts 20:35). Is there someone who could benefit from service, time, or gifts that your family could give? As a family, discuss some ideas and make a plan to serve someone. How do we feel when we serve others? Why is it more blessed to give than to receive?

Friend July 2023 “For Older Kids”

Acts CHAPTER 20

New Testament Stories “Paul Obeys the Holy Ghost” The Holy Ghost told the Apostle Paul to go to Jerusalem. The Holy Ghost said that Paul would be put in prison.

The Red Crystal

Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures “I Am a Child of God” Lesson ideas