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

November 20–26

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.

Invite Sharing

Display the picture of Peter 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

• Help the children think of examples of hard things that Jesus went through, such as being mocked or made fun of. 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” and the Savior helped you find joy. Or you could share the Prophet Joseph Smith’s prayer in Liberty Jail and the comfort God gave him (see Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–8; 123:17).

Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, by Greg K. Olsen

• Display a picture that shows Jesus and other people (the Gospel Art Book has many; so does Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Ask the children to find Jesus in the picture. Testify that if we look to the Savior, He can help us find joy in our lives.

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 Doctrine and Covenants 138:30).

• Show a picture of a temple. Explain to the children that when they are old enough, they can go to the temple and be baptized for their ancestors who were not baptized while on earth. Help the children fill out a simple family tree (see an example at “Family History Coloring Pages,” ChurchofJesusChrist.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 invite the children to 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 Jesus Christ. How did it make them feel? 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?

• Share an experience when you found joy or peace during a trial, or share how the Prophet Joseph Smith found peace when he was in Liberty Jail (see Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–8; 123:17). How can we find joy and peace in Christ during our trials?

1 Peter 3:15

I can 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?

• Help the children think of a few questions people might ask about Jesus Christ or His Church. Let the children take turns explaining how they would answer these questions so that they can “be ready always.” The Articles of Faith provide simple truths that the children could use to answer questions about the Church.

1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6

Spirits in the spirit world learn about the gospel.

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 receiving ordinances for one of their ancestors.

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