Lesson 7
The Invitation to Be Baptized and Confirmed
Preach My Gospel, Chapter 3
The Savior has commanded all accountable people to repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. “Keeping the covenant of baptism is the first step in binding ourselves to God so the Holy Ghost can cleanse, strengthen, and change our nature for the better” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ [2023], 28). Extending invitations to be baptized and confirmed is an important way missionaries fulfill their purpose of helping others come unto Jesus Christ.
Review and Follow Up
Discussion leader: Invite learners to think about their recent efforts to apply what they are learning in this class. You could invite them to share some of their efforts with a partner or together as a class.
Learning Activity Options
Discussion leader: Prayerfully select the learning option(s) that would be most beneficial for your class. Be sure to leave plenty of time for practice and application.
Option A: Why are baptism and confirmation important?
Study
Discussion leader: Consider showing a picture of someone being baptized. Invite learners to discuss the following questions with a partner:
-
What do you remember about your own baptism and confirmation?
-
What are some of the ways the Lord has blessed you because of your decision to be baptized and confirmed?
Discussion leader: Remind learners that inviting others to come unto Christ through the ordinances of baptism and confirmation is an important way missionaries fulfill their purpose. Consider reviewing the missionary purpose by reciting it together as a class (see “Fulfill Your Missionary Purpose,” Preach My Gospel [2023], 1).
The following study activity can help learners better understand how the Savior can bless those who choose to be baptized and confirmed. Help class members find “The Invitation to Be Baptized and Confirmed” in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel (pages 28–29). Then share these instructions:
Study the paragraphs under the heading “Doctrinal Foundation” (Preach My Gospel, 28), along with at least two of the scriptures that are referenced. Consider looking for and marking teachings that deepen your understanding about the importance of baptism and confirmation.
Discussion leader: After students have finished studying, consider discussing the following questions:
-
What did you find that could help someone feel a desire to be baptized and confirmed?
-
What did you learn about how God blesses those who choose to be baptized and confirmed?
Discussion leader: As you discuss the previous question, consider sharing the following statement from President Russell M. Nelson. Invite class members to share additional insights they gain from President Nelson’s teachings.
Once you and I have made a covenant with God, our relationship with Him becomes much closer than before our covenant. Now we are bound together. Because of our covenant with God, He will never tire in His efforts to help us, and we will never exhaust His merciful patience with us. Each of us has a special place in God’s heart. He has high hopes for us. (“The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, Oct. 2022, 28)
Discussion leader: To help learners see an example of the blessings of baptism and confirmation, consider showing the video “How Sarah Found Happiness” (3:42; ChurchofJesusChrist.org). After the video, you could discuss how Sarah’s life was blessed by her decision to be baptized and confirmed.
Practice
Discussion leader: Give members of the class an opportunity to practice explaining what they have learned about baptism and confirmation. One way you could do this is by inviting them to respond to the following scenario. They could first record their response before sharing it with a partner or small group.
Imagine you are talking to a friend who is unfamiliar with the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. Your friend asks, “Why does a person need to be baptized and confirmed?” What would you say?
Set a goal
Discussion leader: Give class members time to reflect on what they have learned and set goals. You could display the following to help them:
Set a goal that relates to what you have studied. Use ideas like the following, or think of your own.
-
Write down how you are blessed because you have been baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Share what you wrote with a loved one, in a fast and testimony meeting, or on social media.
-
Reflect on the covenant you made when you were baptized. Determine how you can keep your baptismal covenant more fully.
My goal
-
I will … (action you will take).
-
I will accomplish my goal by … (a simple plan).
Discussion leader: If learners have a group of peers to share their goals with throughout the course, give them time to share how they will support or remind each other before the next class.
Option B: How can I invite others to be baptized and confirmed?
Study
Discussion leader: Consider beginning this learning activity by sharing the following scenario:
Imagine you are a newly called missionary. You and your companion are planning your schedule for the upcoming day. Your companion explains that they have felt prompted to invite one of the people you are teaching to be baptized and confirmed. Your companion asks if you will extend the invitation during your teaching appointment this afternoon. This will be your first time inviting someone to be baptized and confirmed.
-
How confident would you feel about extending this invitation?
-
What questions might you have?
Discussion leader: The following study activity can help learners prepare to extend the invitation to be baptized and confirmed. Help them find “The Invitation to Be Baptized and Confirmed” in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel (pages 28–29). Then share these instructions:
Study “Extending the Invitation” and “Ideas for the Invitation to Be Baptized” (Preach My Gospel, 28–29). Look for guidelines that could help you invite someone to be baptized and confirmed. Consider marking what stands out to you.
Discussion leader: Invite class members to discuss what they learned by asking questions such as the following:
-
Which guidelines or suggestions did you find most helpful? Why?
-
Why do you think it would be helpful to focus on the example of the Savior when inviting others to be baptized?
Practice
Discussion leader: Give learners an opportunity to practice inviting someone to be baptized and confirmed. To help them see examples of how to do this, you could:
-
Use a video, such as “Invitation to Be Baptized: German” (2:42) or “Invitation to Be Baptized: Jynx” (2:34). Both videos are available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
-
Invite class members to role-play inviting someone to be baptized and confirmed. They could use the italicized text under “Extending the Invitation” (Preach My Gospel, 29) or one of the role plays at the end of this lesson.
Discuss with class members what they learned from the videos or role plays, including what they liked and what they might have done differently. Then share the following instructions:
Practice preparing and extending an invitation to be baptized and confirmed by doing the following:
-
Write a simple plan for how you would invite someone to be baptized and confirmed. Try to follow these guidelines in your plan: (1) be specific and direct, (2) promise blessings, and (3) share your testimony.
-
With a partner, take turns extending the invitation you prepared.
-
After practicing with your partner, determine how you might adjust your invitation.
-
Practice again with a different partner.
Set a goal
Discussion leader: Give class members time to reflect on what they have learned and set goals. You could display the following to help them:
Set a goal that relates to what you have studied. Use ideas like the following, or think of your own.
-
Study additional scripture passages about baptism and confirmation. Then share what you learned with a family member or friend.
-
Think of someone you want to help come closer to Jesus Christ. Determine an invitation you could extend to them.
My goal
-
I will … (action you will take).
-
I will accomplish my goal by … (a simple plan).
Discussion leader: If learners have a group of peers to share their goals with throughout the course, give them time to share how they will support or remind each other before the next class.
Next Time
Discussion leader: If you are ready to teach lesson 8 in the next class, consider inviting class members to study chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel in preparation. You may want to send them a reminder.
Extending the Invitation to Be Baptized and Confirmed
Role Play 1—Using the Example of Jesus Christ
Narrator: Sarah has felt a desire to gain a relationship with God since she began college two months ago. She recently met with the missionaries. In their first visit, Sister Hernandez and Sister Williams taught Sarah about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and invited her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. Now the missionaries are meeting with Sarah again. They feel guided to invite Sarah to be baptized.
Sister Hernandez: Sarah, you’ve told us that you want to follow God and deepen your relationship with Him. Let’s read from the Bible together about how Jesus Christ showed us the way to follow God.
Sister Williams: In Matthew chapter 3, we read about Jesus coming to John the Baptist. Sarah, would you read Matthew 3:13–17?
Sarah: [Reads Matthew 3:13–17 aloud.]
Sister Hernandez: Sarah, Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. That means He obeyed the commandment to be baptized. What do you know about baptism?
Sarah: I know it’s something that people often do. In the church I grew up in, I remember seeing a few people do it. No one in my family was baptized. Beyond that, I don’t know too much more.
Sister Hernandez: Thanks for sharing that, Sarah. Let us explain more about what baptism is. God wants us to return to live with Him. We start on the path back to God by exercising faith in Jesus Christ. Believing in Jesus Christ leads us to change our lives and repent of our sins. Baptism is the first covenant we make along this path. It brings us closer to the Savior, and we feel joy, forgiveness, and hope. Baptism is also an ordinance. That means it is a ceremony performed by the authority of the priesthood.
Sister Williams: When we are baptized, we are making a covenant, or promise, with God. We promise to serve Him and keep His commandments. As part of this covenant, God promises that He will forgive our sins and bless us with His Spirit, so we can be cleansed, guided, and comforted.
Sister Hernandez: Sarah, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone who has been ordained to perform this ordinance? We will help you prepare for baptism. We believe you can be ready on July 29. Will you prepare to be baptized on that date?
Sarah: Yes. This feels like what I have been looking for.
Sister Williams: Sarah, we are thrilled for the blessings that will come to you as you make this choice. Being baptized will bring great peace and power into your life. We have a lot to teach you that will help you prepare.
Extending the Invitation to Be Baptized and Confirmed
Role Play 2—Teach the Doctrine of Christ
Narrator: Isaac is meeting with the missionaries for the first time. He has many questions about the purpose of life and how he can find more happiness. The missionaries taught Isaac about Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. During the lesson, Elder Browning and Elder Singh feel prompted to invite Isaac to be baptized.
Elder Browning: Isaac, we want to talk about the path back to our Heavenly Father. He wants us to return to live with Him, and Jesus Christ has made it possible.
Elder Singh: We begin on the path back to God by believing in Jesus Christ. When we have faith in Jesus Christ, we naturally want to change our lives and be more like Him. We obey His teachings and repent when we sin. Faith and repentance lead us to baptism and confirmation. Can you tell us what you know about baptism?
Isaac: I’ve seen one or two baptisms at different churches, but I don’t know very much about it beyond that. I think it’s about sins.
Elder Browning: You’re right. Baptism is the first step in binding ourselves to God, so the Holy Ghost can cleanse, strengthen, and change our nature for the better. It’s also how we express our commitment to God. When we are baptized, we are making a covenant, or agreement, with Him that we will serve Him and keep His commandments. When we do this, God covenants that He will pour out His Spirit on us and forgive us of our sins.
Elder Singh: We also promise, when we are baptized, that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, keep God’s commandments, serve God and others, and endure to the end. That means that baptism is a new start for our lives. We will still have challenges and make mistakes, of course. But we will never stop trying to keep our promise and relying on Jesus Christ throughout our lives.
Elder Browning: Isaac, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone who has been ordained to perform this ordinance? We will help you prepare for baptism. We believe you can be ready on July 29. Will you prepare to be baptized on that date?
Isaac: Yes. This sounds and feels like what I have been looking for.
Elder Singh: Isaac, we are thrilled for the blessings that will come to you as you make this choice. Being baptized will bring great peace and power into your life. We have many things to teach you that will help you prepare for baptism.