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Lesson 51: 1 Peter and 2 Peter

“Lesson 51: 1 Peter and 2 Peter,” New Testament Teacher Manual (2018)

“Lesson 51,” New Testament Teacher Manual

51

1 Peter and 2 Peter

Introduction and Timeline

The Apostle Peter was the preeminent witness of Jesus Christ in the early Christian Church. His two epistles were written at a time of great persecution and apostasy. Peter sought to help Church members understand that if they endured persecution well, they would receive salvation and eternal glory (see 1 Peter 1:6–9; 3:12–14; 4:12–14; 5:7–10). He reminded the Saints that they were “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) and as such, they were to be holy even as Jesus Christ is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16). In his first epistle, Peter wrote about Jesus Christ’s ministry to the spirit world following His Crucifixion (see 1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6).

In his second epistle, Peter encouraged disciples of Jesus Christ to seek after the traits that would enable them to obtain a divine nature like the Savior. By so doing, their knowledge of God would grow and they could make their calling and election sure (see 2 Peter 1:2–10). To help the Saints avoid being deceived, Peter also warned of “false prophets” and “false teachers” (2 Peter 2:1).

lesson 51 timeline

Chapter Overviews

1 Peter 1

The elect of God will receive an incorruptible inheritance of salvation. For the elect, trials of faith are more precious than gold and lead to salvation. Peter exhorted Saints to become holy as Jesus Christ is holy. Because the Saints had been redeemed and purified by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, Peter urged them to love others with a pure heart.

1 Peter 2

When the Saints lay aside wickedness, they become living stones in God’s spiritual house, which is built upon the chief cornerstone of Jesus Christ. Peter commended his readers for being a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people. Peter counseled readers to follow Jesus Christ’s example of enduring suffering.

1 Peter 3

Peter exhorted wives to help bring unbelieving husbands to Christ through their righteous conduct. Husbands should honor their wives. Peter encouraged Saints to be united in righteousness, to be ready always to testify of Jesus Christ, and to live so that they dispelled false accusations made against them. Following His death, Jesus Christ preached the gospel in the spirit world.

1 Peter 4

Peter taught that followers of Jesus Christ should cease from sin and that those who are worldly think the Saints are strange for not joining them in sin. The gospel is preached to the dead so that they can be judged fairly. The Saints should rejoice when they suffer trials and reproach for their belief in Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5

The elders of the Church are to watch over the flock with the same care as the chief Shepherd. The righteous will receive a crown of glory. Peter encouraged Saints to cast all their care upon the Lord and to be strengthened by His grace so they could remain steadfast in the faith.

2 Peter 1

Peter invited the Saints to grow in their knowledge of God. Peter listed attributes of the divine nature and taught that persons who attain a divine nature will make their calling and election sure. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter and others heard the voice of God, were eyewitnesses of the majesty of Christ, and received the more sure word of prophecy.

2 Peter 2

Peter affirmed that false prophets and false teachers were leading Saints astray. God knows how to deliver His followers out of temptation. Peter described the wickedness that the Saints should avoid and taught that Saints who turn to sin are in a worse condition than before they were converted to Christ.

2 Peter 3

The Saints are to be mindful of the words of the prophets and apostles. In the last days, the wicked will scoff at the righteous for believing that Jesus Christ will return. Just as wicked people were once destroyed by the Flood, so the wicked will be destroyed by fire in the Lord’s due time. Saints are encouraged to faithfully watch for the Savior’s return. Peter confirmed the wisdom of Paul’s writings.

Suggestions for Teaching

Introduction to 1 Peter and 2 Peter

To help students recognize the value of studying the words of the Apostle Peter, you might ask the following:

  • What were some of the experiences that helped Peter change from a simple fisherman to a mighty Apostle of Jesus Christ?

  • Following the death of Jesus Christ, what position did Peter hold in the Church? (The chief Apostle in the Church—a position comparable to the President of the Church today.)

Consider reading aloud the section “Why study 1 Peter?” under “Introduction to the First Epistle General of Peter” in chapter 51 of the student manual.

  • Why would Peter’s writings have been of value to Church members in his day?

  • How could they benefit Church members today?

Encourage students as they study 1 Peter and 2 Peter to keep in mind that these epistles were written by the Apostle who was serving as the President of the Church. His purpose was to help disciples of Jesus Christ during difficult times.

1 Peter 1–2

Expectations for Disciples

Have several students take turns reading aloud 1 Peter 1:1–2, 15–16; 2:5–6, 9–11 while the class follows along looking for words and phrases Peter used to describe Church members who were living as true disciples of Jesus Christ. You could suggest that students mark these words and phrases in their scriptures.

  • What are these words or phrases? (List student responses on the board. Possible answers: Elect, holy as Christ is holy, lively stones, spiritual house, chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, peculiar people, and people of God.)

In order to help students identify a doctrine taught in these passages, ask:

  • How would you state a doctrine recorded in 1 Peter 2:9–10? (Though they may express different ideas, students should be able to state this doctrine: God has called the Saints to be His people, separate from the darkness of the world.)

The following questions are designed to help students further analyze and understand 1 Peter 1:1–4, 15–16; 2:5–6, 9–11:

  • What meaning do the words on the board have for you? How do they help you understand what God expects of you?

  • What did Peter mean when he said that the Saints were a “peculiar” people? (If needed, have students read the student manual commentary for 1 Peter 2:9–10.)

  • What does it mean to you for Church members to be “lively stones” in the “spiritual house” of God?

  • How can Peter’s description of the Saints help you understand the spiritual potential of members of the Church in our day?

Give students a minute or two to read 1 Peter 1:18–25, looking for what God has given us to help us reach our spiritual potential, as described by Peter. Then ask:

  • How do these verses help you to understand that God has not left you on your own to reach your spiritual potential?

As prompted by the Spirit, you might invite students to select something they read in 1 Peter 1:18–25 and explain how the teaching has blessed them and helped them to become more like Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1–5

Patient Endurance in Persecution

To help establish the context of Peter’s writings, ask students what Peter would have witnessed during the last 24 hours of the Savior’s life. If needed, remind students that the Apostle Peter was an eyewitness of the persecution that Jesus Christ suffered at the hands of enemies before His death. The instruction that follows will be more meaningful to students if you have one of them read aloud the section “To whom was 1 Peter written and why?” under “Introduction to the First Epistle General of Peter” in chapter 51 of the student manual. Then ask:

  • Why would Peter choose to discuss the purpose of suffering and trials in his epistle to Church members?

Ask students to read 1 Peter 2:21–25 looking for Peter’s description of how Jesus responded to persecution. Then ask:

  • How did the Savior respond to persecution?

  • What events in the Savior’s life might Peter have been referring to in verse 23?

  • Peter mentioned in verse 21 that Christ set an example for us. How would you state in your own words what Peter wanted us to learn from the Savior’s example? (Students will likely respond with ideas similar to this principle: When we are persecuted for our beliefs and efforts to live righteously, we can be strengthened by Jesus Christ’s example of patient endurance.)

To help students better understand this principle, share the following scenario (or one like it) with the class:

Carla, who is 23 years old, recently joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her family was opposed to her taking lessons from the missionaries and expressed great displeasure when she told them she was going to be baptized. She invited them to attend her baptism, but they refused to attend. Later that day, her dad informed her that because of her religious beliefs and choices, he no longer considered her to be his daughter. To make matters worse, within days some of her closest friends said that they no longer wanted to associate with her. Still others who knew her began on occasion to taunt her because of her new religion.

Write the following passages on the board: 1 Peter 1:7–9; 1 Peter 2:15, 20; 1 Peter 3:8–10; 1 Peter 3:14–18; 1 Peter 4:8–9; 1 Peter 4:12–19; 1 Peter 5:6–10.

Divide the class into thirds. Assign one third of the students to study the scriptures in 1 Peter 1–2. Assign one third of the students to study the passages in 1 Peter 3. Assign the remaining third of the students to study the passages in 1 Peter 4–5. Ask students to consider how Peter’s counsel might help the person described in the scenario. Then ask:

  • How might you draw upon Peter’s words to provide counsel to the person in the scenario?

You can help students to feel the truth and importance of the previous bold principle by asking:

  • Have any of you had an experience when you were harassed or persecuted because of your religious beliefs and you drew strength from Jesus Christ’s example? Please share it with the class.

If time permits, consider giving students a few minutes to write some doctrines of the gospel they could draw upon for strength if they are ever persecuted for their religious beliefs.

1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6

The Gospel Is Preached to the Dead

Burial of Jesus

Display a picture of Jesus Christ’s body being placed in a tomb. You could consider using Burial of Jesus (Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 58; see also LDS.org). Then ask:

  • What happened to Jesus Christ’s spirit while His body was in the tomb?

  • Where can we read about this?

Have a student read aloud 1 Peter 3:18–20 and 1 Peter 4:6 while the class follows along and considers what doctrine is taught in these passages.

  • What doctrine is taught in these verses? (Student responses will likely include this doctrine: Jesus Christ preached the gospel in the spirit world during the time His body was in the tomb.)

To help students see how the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ has helped clarify our understanding of these verses, you may consider having students read portions of Doctrine and Covenants 138:12–37. Then ask:

  • How does God’s plan make it possible for a deceased individual to be freed from spirit prison?

As impressed by the Spirit, you might ask students to explain how they have felt while participating in the work of redeeming the dead.

2 Peter 1:2–19

Faithful Saints Receive “Exceeding Great and Precious Promises”

To help students understand that this portion of the lesson is relevant to them, consider having all of your female students stand and recite the Young Women theme, which begins, “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.”

  • What do the words “divine nature” mean to you? (Possible answers: The characteristics of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We have inherited divine qualities from our Heavenly Father, and we can strive to develop them.)

Tell students that Peter’s teachings can help us understand the “divine nature” and know why we should seek after it.

Ask a student to read aloud 2 Peter 1:1.

  • To whom did Peter address this epistle? (Those who have obtained “precious faith” in Jesus Christ.)

Ask another student to read aloud 2 Peter 1:2–3, and ask:

  • What has God given us, through His “divine power,” so that we can receive “life and godliness”? (“All things.”)

Invite another student to read aloud 2 Peter 1:4, and point out Peter’s teaching that “exceeding great and precious promises” make it possible for us to become “partakers of the divine nature.” Then ask:

  • When we make covenants with Heavenly Father, He makes promises to us. As you think about the covenants you have made with Heavenly Father, what are some of the “great and precious promises” He has made to you if you are obedient? (As students respond, list their answers on the board.)

The students’ answers could include the following: Always have God’s Spirit to be with us (baptismal covenant and sacrament). Be redeemed of God, be numbered among those of the First Resurrection, and have eternal life (see Mosiah 18:8–10; baptismal covenant). Be sanctified by the Spirit, have bodies renewed, become the elect of God, and receive all that the Father has (see D&C 84:33–39; oath and covenant of the priesthood). Find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge (see D&C 89:18–21; Word of Wisdom). Windows of heaven opened (see Malachi 3:8–12). Help students see that the Lord has given us tremendous promises.

  • How can these promised blessings from God help you to obtain a divine nature?

Give students a moment to silently read 2 Peter 1:5–7. Then ask:

  • Peter said that by “giving all diligence,” disciples can develop the attributes described in these verses. Why are these particular attributes essential if we are to have divine nature?

Point out that in the first phrase of 2 Peter 1:8, Peter mentioned “these things,” which are the attributes listed in verses 5–7. Then have a student read aloud 2 Peter 1:8–10 while the class follows along looking for what blessings come to those who seek to develop a divine nature. To help students understand these verses, ask:

  • What blessings will come to us if the attributes listed in verses 5–7 “abound” in us? (We will not be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus; we will see afar off [see the things of eternity]; we will remember that our old sins have been purged; we will make our calling and election sure; we will never fall.)

  • What are the consequences of failing to attain these attributes? (We cannot see afar off; we forget that we have been purged of our sins.)

  • How would you state the importance of developing a divine nature? (As students respond, you might write the following principle on the board: As we diligently seek to develop a divine nature, our knowledge of Jesus Christ increases and we become more like our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ.)

  • How has your knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ increased as you have sought to develop a divine nature?

Point out the phrase “make your calling and election sure” in verse 10. To help students understand this term, have a student read aloud the student manual commentary for 2 Peter 1:10–11. Then invite students to silently read 2 Peter 1:11–12 looking for the great blessings that come to those who diligently seek to make their “calling and election sure.” Consider asking:

  • What blessings come to a person who has his or her calling and election made sure? (“Ye shall never fall.” “An entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord.”)

  • Why do you think Peter taught about the importance of developing a divine nature before teaching about making our calling and election sure? (Students may express the following principle in different words: When we diligently seek to develop a divine nature, we can have our calling and election made sure and be blessed with an assurance of eternal life.)

Invite students to quietly consider which of the attributes listed in 2 Peter 1:5–7 they desire to possess in greater abundance. Encourage them to plan how they could be more diligent this week in seeking to obtain that attribute. You might give students a few moments to record their plan in a journal or on a piece of paper.

Close by sharing your testimony that the doctrines and principles discussed in the lesson today are true. Through the course of our lifetimes, we can become more like our Savior.