“August 26–September 1. 1 Corinthians 8–13: ‘Ye Are the Body of Christ’” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2019 (2019)
“August 26–September 1. 1 Corinthians 8–13,” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: 2019
August 26–September 1
1 Corinthians 8–13
“Ye Are the Body of Christ”
Elder Richard G. Scott taught that we “can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard” if we fail to record and respond to “the first promptings that come to [us]” (“To Acquire Spiritual Guidance,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 8).
Record Your Impressions
Invite Sharing
Paul used analogies and imagery in 1 Corinthians 8–13, such as a runner in a race, a human body, and “a tinkling cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). What insights do class members have about this imagery? How did it help them understand a gospel truth?
Teach the Doctrine
We all face temptation, but God provides a way to escape it.
-
How can you help class members discover powerful truths in 1 Corinthians 10:13? One idea is to divide the verse into brief phrases, give each one to a different class member, and ask the class members to restate the phrases in their own words. For example, what is another way to say “God is faithful” or “tempted above that ye are able”? You could then put some of the class members’ statements back together and look for further applications to our lives. Class members may be able to share experiences in which they found the promises in this verse to be true. What additional insights can we gain into these verses from Alma 13:27–28?
-
Rather than dwelling on anyone’s specific temptations, you might want to focus the discussion of 1 Corinthians 10:13 on temptations that are, in Paul’s words, “common to man.” Class members could start by identifying temptations Paul warns against in verses 1–12. They might also suggest modern examples of common temptations, such as temptations to be dishonest, gossip, or judge others. How might a person, with God’s help, “escape” these temptations? You may want to role-play some situations.
-
It may be valuable to consider 1 Corinthians 10:13 in the context of Paul’s overarching desire for unity among the Saints. What can we do to help each other “escape” and “bear” the temptations we might face? How does unity help us resist temptation?
1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 11:23–30
The sacrament unifies us as members of Christ’s Church.
-
These verses could inspire a discussion about how the sacrament can unify your ward in your efforts to become more like the Savior. You might begin by reading 1 Corinthians 10:16–17 and exploring what the word communion could mean in this context (someone could look for possible definitions in a dictionary). How has partaking of the sacrament together helped us feel more united? What can we do to foster unity during sacrament meeting? How does Paul’s counsel “let a man examine himself” relate to this goal? (1 Corinthians 11:28).
We should seek for gifts of the Spirit to benefit all of Heavenly Father’s children.
-
How can you help your class members review the spiritual gifts Paul described and recognize the great variety of spiritual gifts? You could give them one minute to write a list of as many gifts of the Spirit they can think of. When they are done, invite class members to share what they wrote until every gift they listed has been mentioned. Then class members could find other gifts to add to their lists by searching 1 Corinthians 12 and Elder Marvin J. Ashton’s list in “Additional Resources.” Which of these gifts have class members seen in people they know? How might developing these gifts help us become like Jesus Christ?
-
To help class members see examples of how developing their spiritual gifts helps edify the Church, consider inviting them to think of spiritual gifts people in the scriptures had. For ideas, you could assign them to search one of the scripture references in “Additional Resources” and share the spiritual gifts they think that person had. How did these people’s spiritual gifts bless themselves and others? How can we use our spiritual gifts to bless others and edify the body of Christ, or the Church? (see 1 Corinthians 12:12–31; see also 1 Corinthians 14:12).
-
To help class members understand how to develop spiritual gifts, invite them to read 1 Corinthians 12:27–31; Moroni 7:48; 10:23, 30; Doctrine and Covenants 46:8; and the quotation by President George Q. Cannon in “Additional Resources.” What do these resources teach us about how to obtain spiritual gifts? How does developing spiritual gifts make us more like Christ? Invite class members to select a gift they would like to obtain and to seek the Lord’s help in acquiring that gift.
Charity is the greatest spiritual gift.
-
Some people think of charity as donations to the poor or kindness toward others. While these things can certainly demonstrate charity, Paul’s description is even more expansive. To help class members analyze it, you could ask them to silently ponder 1 Corinthians 13 and think of someone they know who is a good example of one or more aspects of charity Paul mentions. Some class members could describe the person they thought of and an experience in which this person exemplified charity. You might even list parts of Paul’s description on the board and invite class members to share ideas about what it means to “suffereth long” or “not [be] easily provoked” (1 Corinthians 13:4–5). How did the Savior exemplify these attributes of charity? How do we develop charity? (see Moroni 7:46–48).
Encourage Learning at Home
Do your class members know that the doctrines of baptisms for the dead and the three degrees of glory are referred to in the Bible? Tell them that they will be learning about these truths as they study 1 Corinthians 14–16 this week.
Additional Resources
Spiritual gifts you may not have thought of.
Elder Marvin J. Ashton shared these examples of what he called “less-conspicuous gifts” of the Spirit: “The gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost” (“There Are Many Gifts,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20).
Scriptural examples of spiritual gifts.
Seek spiritual gifts.
President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901) of the First Presidency said that it is our duty “to pray to God to give [us] the gifts that will correct [our] imperfections. … They are intended for this purpose. No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them. If a man lack wisdom, it is his duty to ask God for wisdom. The same with everything else” (Millennial Star, Apr. 23, 1894, 260).
Improving Our Teaching
Live the principles you teach. Living the principles you are teaching will help you bear witness of them more powerfully. Paul taught, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).