Seminary
1–2 Peter

1–2 Peter

Overview

In his first epistle, Peter, who was the chief Apostle, focused on ways the Saints could be strengthened through the immense trials they were experiencing at the hands of the Romans. He encouraged the Saints to always be ready to testify of truth and reminded them of their divine heritage (see 1 Peter 2:9; 3:15). He taught that Jesus Christ preached the gospel in the spirit world after His death, making the blessings of the gospel available to all of Heavenly Father’s children.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson.

1 Peter 1–5

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students better understand God’s purposes in allowing them to experience trials and can strengthen their resolve to endure trials faithfully.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to consider how they would respond to the following question: Why do we experience trials, hardships, and unfairness in life?

  • Image: A picture of a crucible

  • Video: “The Refiner’s Fire” (5:01)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: After displaying a picture of a crucible, invite each student to draw a crucible and write a personal trial inside it. Students could then write on the back of the paper how their personal trial is testing and strengthening their faith in Jesus Christ. Invite willing students to hold up their picture to the camera and share their thoughts with the class. Be sure to caution students not to share anything too personal.

1 Peter 2–3

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students understand the importance of being a faithful example of Jesus Christ and provides opportunities to practice responding to others about their faith.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to discuss with their family times when they or someone they know was asked to explain their beliefs and faith in Jesus Christ. Invite them to consider whether they would have answered differently and to come prepared to share their thoughts.

  • Videos: “Unto All the World: Despoina’s Story” (3:12) or “Something Different about Us: Example” (2:50)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Divide the questions at the end of the lesson among students, or invite them to think of a question they have been asked about the Church or their faith. Give them time to think about how they would respond, and then allow them to take turns sharing responses. If students are nervous about talking on camera, they could submit their response using the chat feature.

1 Peter 3:18–22; 4:1–6

Lesson purpose: This lesson will help students explore ways to assist the Savior in His work of redeeming the dead.

  • Student preparation: To access certain features on FamilySearch.org or the FamilySearch Family Tree app, students will need to log in with their Church Account username and password that is connected to their membership record number. If students do not have or do not know their username and password, invite them to create or recover them at account.ChurchofJesusChrist.org or to create the account at FamilySearch.org. Ask a ward or branch family history specialist or Seminaries and Institutes of Religion coordinator for help if needed.

  • Resources: A computer or mobile device with internet access so that students who do not have electronic devices can spend some class time searching FamilySearch.org or the FamilySearch Tree app, if possible

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: If students can use the Ordinances Ready feature on FamilySearch.org, invite them to use it to find a relative they could do temple work for. Consider the possibility of setting a date when the class could informally meet at the temple to perform proxy baptisms and confirmations for the people whose names were found.

Doctrinal Mastery: 1 Peter 4:6

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for 1 Peter 4:6. It will also give them the opportunity to apply the doctrine taught in that passage and the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to a realistic scenario.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to ponder and prepare to share what they have felt as they have performed baptisms and confirmations in the temple or done other family history work for their deceased ancestors.

  • Materials: A piece of paper and a writing utensil for each student

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Students could be assigned one of the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge and work in pairs or small groups in breakout rooms to discuss how they could use that principle to help Jason. When they finish discussing their principle, they could report to the class.

2 Peter 1

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students take steps to become more like Jesus Christ.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to consider which attribute they admire most about Jesus Christ and why.

  • Video: “Becoming like Him” (10:21; watch from time code 2:34 to 3:09)

  • Line drawing: A diagram of a mountain to write words on or around throughout the lesson

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider using the whiteboard feature to create the mountain diagram and list of Christlike attributes as a class. Students could also be invited to create their own diagram and list in their study journal, and a few students could be invited to show their work. The most helpful time to invite sharing might be when asking students to explain how they represented the concept of diligence on their diagram.