“November 20–26. 1 and 2 Peter: ‘Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory,’” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2023 (2021)
“November 20–26. 1 and 2 Peter,” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: 2023
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”
Remember that your purpose is to teach people, not just present a lesson. As you read the Epistles of Peter, think of individual class members. What principles will help them build their faith?
Invite Sharing
Write the headings 1 Peter and 2 Peter on the board. Give class members time to review these epistles, and invite them to write under these headings words or phrases that they found meaningful. Then use the lists to invite people to share their insights.
Teach the Doctrine
1 Peter 1:3–9; 2:19–24; 3:14–17; 4:12–19
I can find joy during times of trial and suffering.
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One way to review Peter’s counsel in 1 Peter 1:3–9; 2:19–24; 3:14–17; and 4:12–19 is to invite class members to think about someone they know who is experiencing a trial. Give them time in class to write a letter to that person, including truths from these verses that would encourage that person (see also Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–8; 123:17). Then class members could talk about the truths they chose.
We are called to be “the people of God.”
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Peter’s teachings in 1 Peter 1:13–20 and 2:1–12 can be an inspiring reminder of how the Lord sees us—His people—and what He expects of us. Perhaps you could invite class members to search these verses looking for descriptions of what it means to be “the people of God” (1 Peter 2:10) and then discuss what they find. You might explain that the word “peculiar” in 1 Peter 2:9 means “purchased” or “preserved” (see footnote f). What does this teach us about the way God feels about us and how He wants us to live?
The gospel is preached to the dead so they can be judged justly.
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The First Epistle of Peter contains one of the few references in the Bible to Jesus Christ’s visit to the spirit world after His death—an event that modern revelation helps us understand more fully. To help class members deepen their understanding of the spirit world, you could invite them to read the following scriptures and write what they learn on the board: John 5:25; 1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6; Alma 40:7–14, 21; Doctrine and Covenants 138:11–32 (see also “Additional Resources.”) Why is it important to know about the Savior’s visit to the spirit world? How does this knowledge affect the way we feel about God and His plan of salvation?
Through the power of Jesus Christ, we can develop our divine natures.
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To encourage those you teach in their efforts to become more like Jesus Christ, you could invite them to identify the Christlike qualities described in 2 Peter 1:1–11. Consider writing these qualities on the board and asking class members to define them. Class members could then discuss how developing one quality leads to the development of the other qualities. Provide time for them to ponder which quality they would like to develop more fully.
Each Christlike quality we develop helps us weave a spiritual tapestry of discipleship.
Additional Resources
The work of redeeming the dead testifies of Christ’s mission.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught:
“What is the destiny of the countless billions who have lived and died with no knowledge of Jesus? With the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ has come the understanding of how the unbaptized dead are redeemed and how God can be ‘a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also’ [Alma 42:15].
“While yet in life, Jesus prophesied that He would also preach to the dead [see John 5:25]. Peter tells us this happened in the interval between the Savior’s Crucifixion and Resurrection [see 1 Peter 3:18–19]. President Joseph F. Smith witnessed in vision that the Savior visited the spirit world [see Doctrine and Covenants 138:30, 33]. …
“Our anxiety to redeem the dead, and the time and resources we put behind that commitment, are, above all, an expression of our witness concerning Jesus Christ. It constitutes as powerful a statement as we can make concerning His divine character and mission. It testifies, first, of Christ’s Resurrection; second, of the infinite reach of His Atonement; third, that He is the sole source of salvation; fourth, that He has established the conditions for salvation; and, fifth, that He will come again” (“The Redemption of the Dead and the Testimony of Jesus,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 9–10).
Improving Our Teaching
Teach the “why.” “Sometimes learners—especially youth—wonder how gospel principles relate to them or why they should obey certain commandments. However, if they understand Heavenly Father’s eternal plan for the happiness of His children, the reasons for gospel principles and commandments become clearer and the motivation to obey increases” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 20).