Acts 17:1–14
Search the Scriptures
Have you ever wondered why it is so important to study the scriptures? Some of the experiences that Paul and his companions had on Paul’s second missionary journey illustrate the power the word of God can have on us. This lesson can help you feel a greater desire to experience the blessings of daily scripture study.
Encourage daily scripture study. Daily personal scripture study provides a consistent opportunity for teachers and students to learn the gospel, develop testimony, and hear the voice of the Lord. Look for regular opportunities in class to encourage daily scripture study. Giving students opportunities to share what they are learning can motivate others to also participate in daily scripture study.
Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share something meaningful they have found recently in their daily scripture study.
Possible Learning Activities
Insights from your scripture study
Invite students to reflect on their recent scripture study and to share meaningful insights they have gained. Consider using the following questions to guide this discussion. It may be helpful to remind students early in the lesson of the scripture study goal they have set for themselves in seminary. They will have an opportunity to evaluate their goal at the end of the lesson.
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What are some insights about Jesus Christ and His gospel that you have gained from your recent scripture study?
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What are some verses or accounts you have recently studied that have been meaningful to you? Why?
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If a friend asked you why you feel it is important to consistently study the scriptures, how would you respond?
Examples of the value of the scriptures
Some of the experiences Paul had during his second missionary journey illustrate the value of studying the scriptures. Write the following heading in your study journal: How studying the scriptures can bless my life. As you study today, look for insights you can list under this heading.
Consider also writing this heading on the board and adding to the list throughout the lesson.
If available, use Bible Maps, no. 13, “ The Missionary Journeys of the Apostle Paul,” to locate Thessalonica and the other places where Paul traveled during his second missionary journey.
Read Acts 17:1–4 and look for what Paul did among the Jews in Thessalonica.
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What do you think is significant about Paul’s efforts?
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What does this account help you understand about the value of the scriptures?
Paul’s message to the Jews in Thessalonica reminds us that the scriptures testify of Jesus Christ and His divine mission (see John 5:39). Consider adding this truth to the list in your study journal.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following about the purpose of the scriptures. You may want to watch the video “The Blessings of Scripture” from time code 10:49–11:21 or read the statement below.
In the end, the central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ—faith that They exist; faith in the Father’s plan for our immortality and eternal life; faith in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which animates this plan of happiness; faith to make the gospel of Jesus Christ our way of life; and faith to come to know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent (John 17:3).”
(D. Todd Christofferson, “The Blessing of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 34)
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Which of the blessings mentioned by Elder Christofferson have you experienced through your scripture study?
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What are some verses of scripture that have increased your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? How did the truths taught in these verses help you increase your faith?
While many women and men of Thessalonica believed and became converted through the teachings of Paul, others formed a mob in an attempt to arrest Paul and Silas (see Acts 17:4–5). Paul and Silas were able to escape from the mob and went to the nearby city of Berea, where they continued preaching.
Read Acts 17:10–12, looking for how Paul and Silas were received by the people of Berea. Consider marking words or phrases that you feel are significant.
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How did studying the scriptures daily help these people?
One truth that can be identified from this account is this: Studying the scriptures regularly can prepare us to recognize and believe truth. Consider adding this truth to the list in your study journal.
To help students better understand this truth, consider asking:
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What are some examples of how this truth could apply to situations you might face in your life?
If students need help, consider using the following scenarios:
Think about how studying the scriptures regularly could help you in the following situations:
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One of your teachers at school explains a concept that contradicts your beliefs.
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Some of your friends encourage you to participate in behaviors that are against your standards by saying, “Just once won’t hurt.”
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In general conference, an Apostle teaches something that goes against the current trends of the world.
Other blessings of scripture study
The truths you have identified from Acts 17 illustrate only a few of the blessings we can receive through studying the scriptures.
Take a few minutes to study some or all of the following scripture passages, looking for other blessings we can receive from God by studying His words and the words of His prophets, as found in the scriptures. Add your insights to the list in your study journal.
Consider dividing students into groups and assigning a verse to each group. Invite students from each group to add their insights from the passage they studied to the list on the board.
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What stands out to you from the list you created?
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Which of the blessings from your list do you most want to experience right now? Why?
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What can you do to make your study of the scriptures a more valuable and sacred experience?
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What blessings have you experienced through regularly studying God’s words in the scriptures?
Consider sharing a personal experience and testimony about the blessings received from regularly studying the scriptures.
Make a plan
As part of your participation in seminary, you have been invited to create a goal related to your daily scripture study. Take a moment to evaluate your progress related to this goal and make any needed adjustments to help you be more successful as you move forward.
Use the following questions to help students evaluate their progress:
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What was the scripture study goal you created for yourself?
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How is this goal helping you to have a more meaningful experience with personal scripture study?
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What adjustments do you need to make?
Encourage the students to continue making progress in their scripture study. Consider thinking of ways throughout the year to remind them of their study goal and to commend them for their progress.
Commentary and Background Information
What other blessings are available from daily scripture study?
Speaking about reading the Book of Mormon daily, President Russell M. Nelson promised the following:
My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.
(Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62–63)
President Dallin H. Oaks compared the scriptures to a Urim and Thummim we can use to receive revelation from the Lord:
We do not overstate the point when we say that the scriptures can be a Urim and Thummim to assist each of us to receive personal revelation.
Because we believe that scripture reading can help us receive revelation, we are encouraged to read the scriptures again and again. By this means, we obtain access to what our Heavenly Father would have us know and do in our personal lives today. That is one reason Latter-day Saints believe in daily scripture study.
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Scripture Reading and Revelation,” Ensign, Jan. 1995, 8)
Supplemental Learning Activities
Forsake the world
To help students make the connection between scripture study and receiving the words of living prophets, consider reading Acts 17:5–7 with students and discussing the following questions:
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Why do you think the unbelieving Jews felt Paul’s teachings about the Savior “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6)?
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How can regularly studying the scriptures prepare your mind and heart to receive the teachings of living prophets?
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What are some of the biggest differences between the Savior’s teachings through living prophets and the beliefs and culture of the world today?
Acts 17:11. “They received the word with all readiness of mind”
Consider taking some time to discuss Acts 17:10–12, focusing on the readiness of the people of Berea to receive the gospel.
Prior to studying these verses, it may be useful to invite volunteers to use actions to demonstrate what it would look like to be ready to perform certain tasks, such as catching a ball, running a race, eating a meal, lifting something heavy, or digging a hole. Consider inviting one or more students to demonstrate what it looks like when a person is ready to learn the gospel using only actions. The rest of the class could try to guess what is happening.
Students could then be invited to make a list of actions, attitudes, or behaviors that might indicate that a person is ready to learn the gospel. Next, invite students to read Acts 17:10–12, looking for what helped the people of Berea to be ready to believe and accept the teachings of Paul and Silas.