Acts 24–26

Introduction

Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea. While there he made a brave and straightforward defense before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, which eventually led him to a trial before Caesar in Rome. There he would have the opportunity to complete the mission the Lord gave him to bear testimony of Jesus “before the Gentiles, and kings” (Acts 9:15). Look for what Paul’s conduct teaches us about respecting the law of the land.

Prayerfully study Acts 24–26and consider the following principles before preparing your lessons.

Some Important Gospel Principles to Look For

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, and other secular leaders and in obeying the law (see Acts 24–26; see also Articles of Faith 1:12).
Those with testimonies of the truth should always be willing to testify of Jesus Christ, the scriptures, and the words of the living prophets (see Acts 24:10–21; 25:8–11; 26:2–29).
All mortals will be resurrected (see Acts 24:15; see also Alma 11:43–44).

Additional Resources

The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, 341–42.

Suggestions for Teaching

Choose from the following ideas, or use some of your own, as you prepare lessons for Acts 24–26.

Acts 24–26. Who’s who?

(15–20 minutes)

The following memory game will help students become familiar with the key figures in Acts 24–26. Draw the accompanying chart on the board or on an overhead transparency. Cover each square with a blank piece of paper. The object is to match the names to descriptions of those people or to what they did or said. Invite a student to select two squares (for example 1-B and 3-D). Uncover them, and allow students time to thumb through Acts 24–26looking for references to the individuals. If the squares match, leave them uncovered. Otherwise cover them up again and have the next student pick two more squares. Continue until all the squares are uncovered.

	A	B	C	D
1	Tertullus	sister of Agrippa	Festus	Tertullus presented Paul to .
2	Roman emperor	Paul	accused Paul of being “a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes”	“Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
3	Agrippa	Felix	Lysias	chief captain
4	“This thing was not done in a corner.”	Bernice	took Felix’s place as governor	Caesar

Acts 24:10–21; 25:8–11; 26:2–29. Those with testimonies of the truth should always be willing to testify of Jesus Christ, the scriptures, and the words of the living prophets.

(30–35 minutes)

Have students imagine going with a nonmember friend to another state or country. The newspapers there have printed some untruths about the Church, and your friend asks you for an explanation. Discuss with students questions such as:

What would be the most difficult part of this experience? Why?
Why do you think some members might find it hard to defend the Church in a situation like that?
If you could talk with the leader of that country for twenty minutes, what would you say about the Church?

To whom was Paul sent to preach the gospel?
What message was Paul to deliver?
How was Paul’s message like the one we bear today?

With the class read Acts 24:10–21; 25:8–11; 26:2–29and answer the following questions:

What did Paul teach?
How did he teach?
Who did he teach?
When did he teach?
What was his attitude toward teaching the gospel?

Ask students: What can we learn from Paul about being valiant in our testimonies of Jesus Christ? Discuss their answers. Have a student read the following statement by Elder Dallin H. Oaks:

“What does it mean to be ‘valiant in the testimony of Jesus’? Surely this includes keeping his commandments and serving him. But wouldn’t it also include bearing witness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer, to believers and nonbelievers alike? As the Apostle Peter taught the Saints of his day, we should ‘sanctify the Lord God in [our] hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us]’ (1 Peter 3:15)” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 38; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 31).

Encourage students to prepare to teach the gospel to others.