Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–20

“What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do?”

Saul on the road to Damascus having a vision

At a time of “great persecution against the church” (Acts 8:1), Saul forcibly entered many homes, arresting and imprisoning those who believed in Jesus Christ (see Acts 8:3). As Saul traveled to Damascus to continue harassing the Saints, Jesus Christ revealed Himself to Saul (see Acts 9:3–5). With great astonishment, Saul inquired of the Lord, “What wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). This lesson is intended to help you ponder what the Lord does to help you change for the better and seek to know what He would have you do.

Using multiple scriptural accounts. Sometimes the scriptures contain multiple accounts of the same event. Look for opportunities to invite students to study each account and to identify additional truths that can be learned by doing so. Encourage them to look for opportunities to do this in their own personal scripture study as well.

Student preparation: Invite students to talk to a family member or friend about the ways that Jesus Christ invites and helps us to change.

Possible Learning Activities

A change of direction

Invite students to roll a marble or ball across a flat surface and watch it change direction when it hits something.

What would it take for the marble or ball to change direction?
Comparing the rolling object to a person, what are some reasons someone might change for the better and alter the direction of their life? What are some reasons they might not?

Give students an opportunity to assess their own lives. The next paragraph provides one way to do this. Students could answer some of these questions in their study journals.

Think about the direction of your own life. In what ways do you feel the Lord’s love and approval? Are there any changes to the direction of your life that the Lord might be inviting you to make? Seek revelation to these questions as you study this lesson.

“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”

The Lord helped a man named Saul to change his life. Initially, Saul was a Pharisee who “made havoc of the church” (Acts 8:3). He approved of the disciple Stephen’s death (see Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:20) and “imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on [the Lord]” (Acts 22:19).

Divide a page in your journal in half, and title one side “How the Lord helped Saul change.” Title the other side “Saul’s response to the Lord.”Read one or more of the accounts about Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus, and fill out the chart based on what you find.

Students could be divided into small groups in which each student is assigned to read a different account. They could work together to list what they find based on each account of Saul’s experience. When dividing the class into small groups, consider the needs and abilities of students. Put students together in groups that could enhance the learning experience for all.

If students need help understanding the phrase “kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5), use the explanation found in the “Commentary and Background Information” section of the lesson.

Acts 9:3–20 (Luke wrote about Saul’s conversion)
Acts 22:6–16 (Saul told others his conversion story)
Acts 26:12–20 (Saul told King Agrippa his conversion story)

You may also want to watch the video “The Road to Damascus” (5:21), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Invite several students to share what they found. Consider asking additional questions such as the following: What did the Lord know about Saul and who he could become? How did the Lord humble Saul? Who did the Lord send to help Saul? Why?

Based on what you wrote in your journal, think about what truths or lessons you learned from this account.

Invite students to share some of the truths they learned. One truth that could be focused on in greater detail is that Jesus Christ can help us change and reach the potential He sees in us.

The Lord desires our change

Take a moment to think about a person you know who has changed because of Jesus Christ’s influence in their life.

Consider sharing a personal experience about conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Students could also be asked to report on their preparation for class.

How do you think that Jesus Christ influenced this person to change?

To see an example of someone who has changed, watch the video “His Grace: Change Is Possible through Christ” (3:29), looking for how the Lord helped a man named Kenny change the course of his life. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

For Saul, who is also often known by his Latin name Paul (see Acts 13:9), following the Lord’s directions changed his life completely. Paul stopped persecuting Christians and instead became a mighty disciple of Jesus Christ. Paul traveled to many nations as a missionary and wrote encouraging and instructive letters to the Saints. Fourteen of these letters are included in the New Testament (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Paul,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, or Bible Dictionary, “Paul”). Paul’s decision to follow Jesus Christ continues to bless countless people today.

Consider displaying the infographic of Paul’s life and inviting students to review it. It may be helpful to refer to this infographic from time to time as students study the life and writings of Paul.

New Testament Seminary Teacher Manaul - 2023

The Lord is also aware of us and invites us to make changes in our lives. These might be big adjustments, but they could also be slight changes.

In your journal, divide another page in half and title one side “How the Lord invites me to change” and the other side “My response to the Lord.” Ponder the following questions to help you write a response in your study journal under “How the Lord invites me to change.”

Though the Lord likely has not appeared to you in vision, what has He done, or what is He doing, to help you make positive changes in your life?
Who has He sent to help you change for the better?

Under “My response to the Lord,” write about how you would like to respond to the Lord’s efforts to help you change for the better.

It may be helpful to tell students that in a future lesson they will have the opportunity to reflect on their efforts to respond to the Lord and evaluate their personal growth.

Testify to students that the Lord will help us change and reach the potential He sees in us if we humbly respond to His invitations.

Commentary and Background Information

Acts 9:5. What does it mean to “kick against the pricks”?

A sharp spear or stick is often used to poke animals to make them move forward. Animals who react by kicking instead of moving ahead can cause more pain for themselves. By using this analogy, the Lord helped Saul see that fighting against Him would only bring pain to himself.

What changes might the Lord be asking me to make?

Sister Becky Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, taught:

It may be a change of thought, a change in habit, or a change in the direction we are headed. In return for His priceless payment for each of us, the Lord asks us for a change of heart. The change He requests from us is not for His benefit but for ours.

(Becky Craven, “Keep the Change,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 58)

What should I understand about my choices and the direction of my life?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

God doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go.

(Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Best is Yet to Be,” Ensign, Jan. 2010, 27)

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Satan wants us to think that when we have sinned we have gone past a “point of no return”—that it is too late to change our course. …

Christ came to save us. If we have taken a wrong course, the Atonement of Jesus Christ can give us the assurance that … [a] safe return is possible if we will follow God’s plan for our salvation. …

The gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ provides us at all times and at all places with the blessings of repentance and forgiveness. Because of this gift, the opportunity to make a safe return from the disastrous course of sin is available to all of us.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Point of Safe Return,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 99, 101)