July 31–August 6

Acts 22–28

“A Minister and a Witness”

Read Acts 22–28 with a prayer in your heart that the Holy Ghost will inspire you to know what to focus on that will help your class members. Record any ideas that come to mind; these may be the beginning of your teaching plan.

Invite Sharing

Ask class members to write down a scripture reference from Acts 22–28 that impressed them this week. Gather their answers and read a few of the verses together. Invite several class members to share why these verses are meaningful to them.

Teach the Doctrine

Acts 22:1–21; 26:1–29

A testimony is a declaration of truth based on personal knowledge or belief.

• Paul’s testimony to Festus and King Agrippa can be an opportunity to discuss what it means to bear testimony. You could ask class members to review Acts 22:1–21 or 26:1–29. What do we learn from Paul’s example about bearing testimony? What additional principles about bearing testimony do we learn from the statement by President M. Russell Ballard in “Additional Resources”? Singing or playing the hymn “Testimony” (Hymns, no. 137) could invite the Spirit into your discussion.

• Even though Paul wasn’t seeking the spiritual witness he received on the road to Damascus, he spent the rest of his life working to maintain and defend his testimony (see Acts 22:10, 14–16; 26:19). Paul’s example could help your class understand that a testimony requires work and sacrifice. To start a discussion about this, perhaps a class member could describe his or her effort to become a skilled musician, artist, or athlete. How is developing such a skill similar to gaining and strengthening a testimony? What efforts must we make to gain and strengthen a testimony? (see also Alma 5:46).

Acts 26:9–23

We have a responsibility to minister to others.

• The Lord called Paul to be “a minister” (Acts 26:16), but what does this word mean? To help class members explore how they can minister to others, with or without a formal assignment, you could write on the board a question like What does it mean to minister? Invite class members to look for answers in the following resources: Matthew 20:25–28; Acts 26:16–18; 3 Nephi 18:29–32; Jean B. Bingham, “Ministering as the Savior Does,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 104–7. As they share what they find, encourage them to discuss ways we can all minister to others, including in our Church callings. You could also show the video “The Miracle of the Roof” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Acts 27

If we heed the Lord’s prophets, He will guide us and protect us from evil.

• Invite class members to talk about the centurion’s response when Paul prophesied that the ship would suffer “much damage” and lives would be lost (see Acts 27:10–11). Why might the centurion have responded that way? Perhaps class members could share what they would have said to the centurion to help him have faith in Paul’s prophecy. What other lessons can we learn from Acts 27 about following the Lord’s servants? Some class members may have had experiences when they followed the direction of prophets even when it differed from the opinions of people around them. Invite a few class members to share their experiences.

Additional Resources

Bearing testimony.

President M. Russell Ballard spoke about Paul’s testimony before King Agrippa and taught what it means for us to bear testimony:

“Our testimony meetings need to be more centered on the Savior, the doctrines of the gospel, the blessings of the Restoration, and the teachings of the scriptures. We need to replace stories, travelogues, and lectures with pure testimonies. Those who are entrusted to speak and teach in our meetings need to do so with doctrinal power that will be both heard and felt, lifting the spirits and edifying our people. …

“… While it is always good to express love and gratitude, such expressions do not constitute the kind of testimony that will ignite a fire of belief in the lives of others. To bear testimony is ‘to bear witness by the power of the Holy Ghost; to make a solemn declaration of truth based on personal knowledge or belief’ [Guide to the Scriptures, “Testify,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org]. Clear declaration of truth makes a difference in people’s lives. That is what changes hearts. That is what the Holy Ghost can confirm in the hearts of God’s children” (“Pure Testimony,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 41).

Improving Our Teaching

Prepare in advance. “As you ponder how the gospel principles you are teaching will bless your class members, ideas and impressions will come throughout your daily life—as you travel to work, do household chores, or interact with family and friends. Don’t think of spiritual preparation as something you make time for but as something you are always doing” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 12).