Choice 2: 2 Peter 2. Teaching

1.            Read 2 Peter 2:1–19. Record the characteristics of false teachers described by Peter. Explain in writing how your list helps you recognize false teachers today. 

·         They bring in damnable heresies

·         Denying the Lord,

·         Making evil things seem righteous.

·         Covetousness

·         feigned words 

·         make merchandise of you

·         speak evil of the things that they understand not

·         receive the reward of unrighteousness

·         full of adultery

·         beguiling unstable soul

·         cursed children

·         forsaken the right way

·         speak great swelling words of vanity,

·         allure through the lusts of the flesh

·         servants of corruption

2.            Read 2 Peter 2:20–22; Doctrine and Covenants 82:3, 7. In your own words, write a few sentences describing the dangers of returning to the “pollutions of the world.”

 The greater sin we will have because we have known the way of righteousness. Since the first time we repented, we have received a greater light, which obligates us to be more strict to the commandments. 

Choice 4: 1 Peter 1–4. The Trial of Our Faith Is More Precious than Gold

Read 1 Peter 1:1–9; 2:12, 15, 20–25; 3:11–16; 4:12–19. Write two to three paragraphs using the principles of these verses to explain to someone who says, “Life isn’t fair. Why do I have to have so many trials? I’m tired of being ridiculed by those who do not keep the commandments.”

Life is fair! God rewards the righteous and punishes the wickedness. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. Trials are for us to grow, help us to learn from the mistakes, become more like Jesus. The trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, it honors and glories at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Although, we would be ridiculed by others, being of good behavior among the Gentiles; so they may see our good works and give glory to God when he comes to be their judge.

He said to us, “who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”if we are in good works and suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. We should not be sad at the judgments from others, but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Choice Three: Hebrews 13. Works of Righteousness

Paul concluded his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and statements of counsel. Read Hebrews 13 and find statements about the following questions:

• How should we treat strangers and those “in bonds”?

We should treat strangers and those in bonds with love, like treating the angles of heaven, also stand at their suffer and understand what they are going through, willing to mourn with those that mourn.

• How is marriage looked upon?

Marriage looked up respect, “WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God” (family proclamation)

• What warnings are given about covetousness?

We shouldn’t let covetousness come into our minds, be content with such things as we have.

• What is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”?

It means Jesus Christ is unchangeable

• How are we sanctified?

Do not yield to Satan’s Temptations, we need to focus more on our spirituality but not on our physical needs.

• How do we respond to those who rule over us?

Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you.

• Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?

For the strangers, people those in bonds, who are in covetousness, who rule over us and for Paul.

Choice 6: Hebrews 3-4. Entering into the Lord's Rest

Read Hebrews 3:8–4:16 and the institute student manual commentary for Hebrews 3:11, “What Does It Mean to Enter into the ‘Rest’ of the Lord?” (p. 383). Write answers to the following questions:

·         What group of people was refused entrance into the Lord’s rest?

People hardened their hearts, tempted him, always err in their heart and who haven’t known his way.

·         What sins caused them to forfeit this privilege?

 Don’t have faith in him

·         How does Doctrine and Covenants 84:23–24 help define what is the Lord’s rest?

which rest is the fulness of his glory

·         What sins did Paul repeatedly warn against so as not to incur the same punishment?

Harden not your hearts

·         How do you think the warnings in Hebrews 3:12–15 apply to us?

      These scriptures are telling us to keep on his path, don’t let the sins bother our way to God, but to strengthen our testimony, substance of the faith, and listen to his voice.

·         List the counsel found in Hebrews 4 that will help a person enter into the rest of the Lord.

Accept and follow the gospel

Harden not your hearts

Keep the Sabbath holly

 Repentance

·         How do Matthew 7:21–23; John 7:17; James 1:22 help in understanding how the word needs to be “mixed with faith”? (Hebrews 4:2–3).

We are not only knowing his will, but be doers of the word, and not only hearers of it, blinding yourselves with false ideas. And we will have knowledge of the teaching and of where it comes from--from God or from myself.

Choice 1: Philippians 1–4. Find Solutions in the Scriptures to Life’s Challenges

For each of the following common challenges, write the counsel from Philippians that you would use to resolve it:

·        People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (see Philippians 2:1–8, 14–15).

We should let the joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in harmony and of one mind; Be humble; let Christ stay in our hearts; worship God and do all things without protests and arguments;

·        Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12–15 and institute student manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, “Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling” [pp. 361–62]).

We can stronger our testimony by listening to others, but we must have our own testimony to stand straight in the church, to light the world. Moreover, testimony is really personal, we all have different and it helps us to grow and gain the faith in Christ.

·        An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13).

Christ will strengthen us when we act righteously. When we have faith in Christ, and pray with your sincere heart. He will answer! I saw many examples that God does answer, and soften the parents’ heart.

·        How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3?

Using the words of Christ-scripture can help us to solve the daily problems that mentioned above. Also, it can guide us to the righteous and become more like Jesus. 

Choice 1: Romans 12-16. Live as Saints Should Live

1.        Review Romans 13:11 and look for what is “nearer.” Read Ezekiel 3:20; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7; and explain in writing what we must continue doing to work out our salvation.

We must continue keep the commandments and endure to the end (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7) to work out our salvation.

2.    In Romans 12-13 Paul gave much counsel that leads to salvation. Read each of the following verses and list what Paul taught would help lead to salvation:

o       Romans 12:1 present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God

o       Romans 12:2 Don’t conformed to this word, but have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God.

o       Romans 12:9 love without deceit, Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

o       Romans 12:13 Be generous, giving to the needs of the saints

o       Romans 12:16 Be humble, be unify

o       Romans 12:21 Do not let evil overcome you, but overcome evil by good.

o       Romans 13:1 All the power are ordained of God

o       Romans 13:3 Do good works and not to be afraid of the power

o       Romans 13:8 Don’t own other’s anything; Love one another

o       Romans 13:9 Follow the ten commandments.

3.    Review Romans 14:1-13; 15:1-3. Then write answers to the following questions:

o       What cautions did Paul give about judging? We should not judge one another, because this is not our duties but God’s right to do that.

o       People may have different opinions and practices, but what is most important to remember? Remember that we should love and serve one other, because we are not perfect, and we don’t have the power to judge others

o       What additional insight comes from reading Doctrine and Covenants 38:25-27? We are the children of God, we should respect to others, and treat other as how you want to be treated.

4.    Review Romans 15:25-26, 31; 16:2, 15. Write the term Paul frequently used to refer to members of the Church in his day. Saints

Choice 3: Romans 6. Baptism

Choice 3: Romans 6. Baptism

1.    Review Romans 6:1–13 and answer the following questions in writing: 

o       What must be done with sin before baptism can occur?

Admit our sin, repent, refuse to be the instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, Commit not to sin again, willing to keep the commandments of God.

o       What events from Christ’s life are symbolized in baptism?

The death and resurrection of Christ, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death” “Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

o       Considering this symbolism, why couldn’t someone be baptized by sprinkling?

From the bible dictionary, from a Greek word meaning to “dip” or “immerse.” Baptism by immersion in water by one having authority is the introductory ordinance of the gospel and is necessary to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

o       What do these verses teach us about how we can maintain the “newness of life”?

 After we come out of the waters of baptism, our souls need to be continuously immersed in and saturated with the truth and the light of the Savior’s gospel. By waking in a newness of life, keep away to the sins, do not let sin be ruling in our body, fidelity to covenants, constancy of commitment, and offering our whole soul unto God are required if we are to receive the blessings of eternity.

o       According to Mosiah 3:19, what part of us would ideally die at baptism?

The natural man would ideally die at baptism, and we can become a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and become as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things, which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

2.    Study Romans 6:14–23. Write a paragraph that describes how we know whose servant we are. Then write a statement identifying the true source of freedom.

We begin the process of being born again through exercising faith in Christ, repenting of our sins, and being baptized by immersion for the remission of sins by one having priesthood authority.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). And being made free from sin you have been made the servants of righteousness. Our purpose in this mortal life is to seek after the eternal life with our family and live with our heavenly father. Being free from sin, and having been made servants to God, you have your fruit in that which is holy, and the end is eternal life.