August 28–September 3

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 do not record and respond to “the first promptings that come to [us]” (“To Acquire Spiritual Guidance,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 8).

Invite Sharing

In 1 Corinthians 8–13, Paul taught gospel truths using metaphors such as a runner in a race, the human body, and “a tinkling cymbal” (see 1 Corinthians 9:24–25; 12:13–26; 13:1). You might ask class members what they learned from these comparisons. How do the comparisons help us understand gospel truths?

Teach the Doctrine

1 Corinthians 10:1–13

God provides a way to escape temptation.

• 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 reread the verse, using some of the class members’ statements. 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?

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 can partaking of the sacrament together help us feel more united? How does Paul’s counsel to “let a man examine himself” relate to this goal? (1 Corinthians 11:28).

1 Corinthians 12

Spiritual gifts are given to benefit all of Heavenly Father’s children.

• 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 name the spiritual gifts they think that person had. They could also talk about spiritual gifts they see in each other. How are these people’s spiritual gifts a blessing to all of us? 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. What do these scriptures 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.

1 Corinthians 13

Charity is the greatest spiritual gift.

• You might ask class members to silently ponder 1 Corinthians 13 and think of someone they know who is a good example of one or more aspects of charity that 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 that a person with charity “suffereth long” or “is not easily provoked” (1 Corinthians 13:4–5). How did the Savior exemplify these attributes of charity? What additional truths does Moroni 7:46–48 teach about charity?

Additional Resources

Scriptural examples of spiritual gifts.

• Genesis 40–41

• Ruth 1

• 1 Kings 3:5–15

• Matthew 1:18–24; 2:13–15, 19–22

• Luke 1:26–38

• John 11:20–27

• Acts 3:1–8; 5:12–16

• Mormon 1:1–5

• Ether 2:14–25; 3:1–20

• Doctrine and Covenants 6:5, 10–12

• Moses 6:22–27, 31–43; 7:2–4, 13, 17–21

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).