Christ Preaching in the Spirit World, by Robert T. Barrett

November 25–December 1

1 and 2 Peter

“Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory”

Begin your study of 1 and 2 Peter with prayer. Remember that your best preparation to teach will come through your personal and family study experiences.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Display the picture in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families, and invite the children to tell you something they know about Peter. Remind them that Peter was the leader of the Church after Jesus was resurrected, and explain that 1 Peter and 2 Peter are letters from him to members of the Church in his day.

Teach the Doctrine

Younger Children

1 Peter 1:6–7; 3:14

I can be happy even during hard times.

Consider how you can teach these verses in a way that will help the children turn to the Savior when they face adversity.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to share hard things that Jesus endured, such as being crucified. Explain that we will have hard times in our lives. Read 1 Peter 1:6–7; 3:14 together, and share an experience when you faced a “trial of your faith.” Or you could share the Prophet Joseph Smith’s prayer in Liberty Jail and the comfort God gave him (see D&C 121:1–8; 123:17). How does having faith in Jesus help us find joy during hard times?

  

  Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, by Greg K. Olsen

• Sing together a song that teaches how to find happiness, such as “I Will Follow God’s Plan” (Children’s Songbook, 164–65).

1 Peter 2:9–12

Heavenly Father wants me to be an example to others.

Peter taught that we are “the people of God” and that our good works can “glorify God.”

Possible Activities

• Describe things that stand out from their surroundings, or show pictures of such things. For example, a temple stands out from the buildings around it or a mountain rises above a valley. Explain that when we keep the commandments, we stand out and other people can see our examples. Talk about some “good works” that you have seen the children do. Explain that good works like these “glorify God”—they help others feel more love for God and desire to serve Him.

• Complete the activity page with the children. How are the people they found in the picture glorifying God?

1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6

Spirits in the spirit world learn about the gospel.

After He died, Jesus went to the spirit world and sent the righteous spirits to teach other spirits who had not yet accepted the gospel.

Possible Activities

• Tell the children about someone you know who has died. Explain that when people die, their spirits leave their bodies and go to the spirit world. Read 1 Peter 3:19 and explain that when Jesus died, he went to visit the spirit world. There, He asked the righteous spirits to teach the gospel to other spirits who had not yet accepted the gospel (see D&C 138:30).

• Put a row of chairs down the middle of the room to act as a barrier. Ask some of the children to stand on one side to represent spirits in the spirit world who were not baptized during their earth life. Give one of the other children a large paper key with “baptism for the dead” written on it, and ask him or her to remove the barrier. Then explain that Church members who are 12 years of age and older can go to the temple and be baptized for their ancestors who were not baptized while on earth. Then these ancestors can accept the gospel in the spirit world.

• Help the children fill out a simple family tree (see an example at “Family History Coloring Pages,” LDS.org).

Teach the Doctrine

Older Children

1 Peter 3:12–17; 4:13–14, 16

I can find joy and peace even during hard times.

The children you teach may have experienced some form of teasing or mocking because of what they believe. These verses can help them during those times.

Possible Activities

• Summarize a few stories about Jesus being persecuted, or have the children read them—see, for example, Matthew 12:9–14 or Luke 22:47–54. Ask the children if they have ever been teased or mocked because they live the teachings of the gospel. Then read together 1 Peter 3:12–14; 4:13–14, 16, and ask the children to look for what Peter said about suffering “for righteousness’ sake.” Why can we still be happy when other people mock us for doing what is right?

• Invite a ward member to share an experience when he or she found joy or peace during a trial, or share how the Prophet Joseph Smith found peace when he was in Liberty Jail (see D&C 121:1–8; 123:17). How can we find joy and peace during our trials?

1 Peter 3:15

I should always be ready to share the gospel.

The children you teach will have many opportunities throughout their lives to answer questions from other people about their faith. Consider what you can do to help them “be ready always to give an answer.”

Possible Activities

• Tell about a time when someone asked you a question about the Church, and describe whether you felt prepared to answer. Ask the children to talk about any times when people have asked them questions about the Church. Read together 1 Peter 3:15. How can we follow Peter’s counsel in this verse?

• With help from the children, think of a few questions people might ask about the Church’s teachings. Let the children take turns explaining how they would answer these questions so that they can “be ready always.”

1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6

Spirits in the spirit world learn about the gospel.

Help the children understand that when the righteous die, they go to the spirit world to teach the gospel to those who did not receive it while on earth.

Possible Activities

• Draw on the board a circle with a line through the middle. Write Spirit Paradise on one half of the circle and Spirit Prison on the other half. Invite one of the children to read 1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6 (see 1 Peter 4:6, footnote a, for revisions from the Joseph Smith Translation). Explain that when Jesus died, He went to spirit paradise. He instructed the righteous spirits there to teach the gospel to the spirits in spirit prison.

• Invite a parent or an older sibling of one of the children to tell about going to the temple and completing work for one of their ancestors.

• Invite the children to fill out a simple family tree (see an example at “Family History Coloring Pages,” LDS.org).

Encourage Learning at Home

Invite the children to share their family tree with their family members and ask them for help adding names to it.

Improving Our Teaching

Seek to understand the children you teach. You know the children you teach, so modify the ideas in this outline if necessary to address their needs. You can use any of the activities suggested in this outline, not just those written for the age-group you teach. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 7.)