Doctrinal Mastery Review 23

Understand and Explain

One of the purposes of doctrinal mastery is to help you understand the doctrine contained in doctrinal mastery passages and be able to explain the doctrine in your own words. This lesson will give you an opportunity to deepen your understanding of and explain truths found in the 13 doctrinal mastery passages from the second half of the New Testament.

Asking questions

When have you felt grateful that you asked someone a question? (For example, perhaps you learned something by asking a question, or perhaps you received valuable counsel after seeking advice from a friend or parent.)
What are some reasons why it is important to ask questions when learning the gospel of Jesus Christ?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency said: “To ask and to answer questions is at the heart of all learning and all teaching” (“The Lord Will Multiply the Harvest” [evening with a General Authority, Feb. 6, 1998], 5–6, in Teaching Seminary: Preservice Readings [2004], 98).

Asking questions about doctrinal mastery passages can help us better understand them and more fully invite the Savior’s help into our lives.

New Testament Doctrinal Mastery: 1 Corinthians–Revelation

1 Corinthians 6:19–20	“Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.”
1 Corinthians 11:11	“Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:20–22	“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
1 Corinthians 15:40–42	In the Resurrection, there are three degrees of glory.
Ephesians 1:10	“In the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”
Ephesians 2:19–20	The Church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”
2 Thessalonians 2:1–3	“The day of Christ … shall not come, except there come a falling away first.”
2 Timothy 3:15–17	“The holy scriptures … are able to make thee wise unto salvation.”
Hebrews 12:9	Heavenly Father is “the Father of spirits.”
James 1:5–6	“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”
James 2:17–18	“Faith, if it hath not works, is dead.”
1 Peter 4:6	“The gospel [was] preached also to them that are dead.”
Revelation 20:12	“And the dead were judged … according to their works.”

Choose one of the 13 doctrinal mastery passages that you would like to better understand. Read it carefully. Analyze the doctrinal mastery passage’s words and phrases, noting what you understand about the passage and what questions you or someone else might ask about the passage. For example, something you might ask about Ephesians 2:19–20 is “What is a corner stone and why is Jesus Christ compared to one?” Or you might wonder what the phrase “falling away” in 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3 means.

Write out as many questions as you can.

Once you have written as many questions as you can, select a few questions that you think are the most important to understand, and answer them using available scripture study tools. These tools include the Guide to the Scriptures, the Topical Guide, the Bible Dictionary, scripture footnotes, the Gospel Library app, or general conference talks. You may also choose to use some scripture study strategies that you have learned this year, such as reading the surrounding verses or trying to understand the context of the scripture. Record your answers in your study journal.

Remember that not all questions may be easily answered and that some may require further time and prayerful study and pondering.

Consider inviting a friend or family member to help you answer your questions. You may also consider repeating this activity using other doctrinal mastery passages that you would like to understand better.