Acts: An Introduction and Overview

Some of the main themes in Acts are:
~The Apostles bearing witness of the church and preaching the gospel
~The Spreading of the Church
~Persecution
Throughout Acts, Peter did many things:
Acts 2-5
~Testifies of Christ and tells about the Holy Ghost
~He tells the people about repentance and heals a man
~He is arrested and testifies that "salvation comes through Christ"
~Saved from prison by an Angel
Acts 8-10
~He and John confer the Gift of Holy Ghost by the Laying on of hands
~ He heals Eneas and raises Dorcas from the dead
~In a vision, He is commanded to take the gospel to the Gentiles
Acts 12
~He is arrested by Herod and saved by an Angel

The Holy Ghost

Choice 2: John 14:15–17, 26–27; 15:26–27; 16:7–8, 13–14. The Savior’s Instructions about the Holy Ghost

1. As you study the following verses, make a list of what the Savior taught about (1) what the Holy Ghost does and (2) what disciples must do to receive the Holy Ghost:
• John 14:15–17 – the Holy Ghost comforts us, if we keep His commandments
• John 14:26–27  - The Holy Ghost teaches us, and brings us peace
• John 15:26–27 – The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ
• John 16:7–8 – The Holy Ghost will “reprove the world of sin”
• John 16:13–14 – The Holy Ghost will guide us to all truth and shall glorify the Savior
2. Add to your list above as you study the following resources:
• Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “The Holy Ghost Brings Man to His Fullest Potential” (p. 168) – The Holy Ghost can mature all the “fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature.”
• Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “As a Messenger of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost Teaches Faithful Members” (p. 168) – The Holy Ghost “bears witness of the truth, quickens the minds of those who have made covenant and reveals to them the mysteries of the kingdom of God.”
• Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost” (p. 704)
3. Review your list of what the Holy Ghost does. Then write responses to the following tasks:
• Describe how the Holy Ghost helped the Apostles fulfill their missions after the Savior’s death and resurrection.

The Holy Ghost was there for the Apostles, to tell them what to do, who and what to teach, and was there to comfort them.

• Write a paragraph about a time when the Holy Ghost blessed you in one of the ways you listed above. Give an example of how the Holy Ghost has inspired you.

This is a kind of silly story, but I will always remember it. When I was about eight years old, we had a rabbit that would sometimes sneak out of its cage. One time, we couldn’t find it anywhere, so my sister and I knelt down and prayed to our Heavenly Father to help us find it. I felt an impression to look by its cage again, and we found it near there. Even though it is something small, I will always remember that. 

True Leadership

Choice 4

1.      Study John 13:1-17; Luke 22:24-30; Mark 10:43-45. Write a paragraph or two about how the application of these teachings make leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ different from what the world usually describes as leadership.

Throughout history, we have seen many times where people who are in a leadership position act as though those they govern are their servants. They control them to their will, doing as they please with no thought of their people. In the Scriptures, it gives a different view on leadership. A leader is a servant for the people. He is there to make sure that his people are happy and well. He is there to protect them.

2.      Write a paragraph or two about a time when one of your Church leaders or someone in the scriptures served and led in the way Jesus Christ taught.

When I was in Young Womens, I had an amazing leader. She always had us in mind. She not only served us in church, but all the time. When we were in need, she made sure she was there. Once, I was having a lot of trouble at school, and she helped me out so much. She spent so much time working for us, doing far more than she needed to. I know that she blessed the lives of so many girls by serving for us. She is a good example of a true leader. 

The Second Coming

Choice 2: Mark 13; Luke 21:5-38; Joseph Smith – Matthew. Preparing for the Savior’s Second Coming.

1.      

Review Mark 13:5, 9, 23, 33, 35, 37 and identify the words take heed and watch in each verse. List at least three things from this chapter that believers could watch for in order to be prepared to meet the Lord.

One thing is that people need to watch for deceivers. There are people out there that will say that they are the true church or that they are Christ, when they really are not.

Another thing to watch for is to watch for the signals because no one knows when the second coming will be.

People should watch for the word of the Lord. When he says something, whether by his prophets or by the Spirit whispering to us, we need to listen.

2.     

Explain in writing any other additional truths that are taught in the following references about how to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

~D&C 87:8

Stand in Holy places

~JS – Matt 1:32

The abomination of desolation will be fulfilled

~JS – Matt 1:37

Treasure the word of the Lord.

~JS – Matt 1:46-50

Watch and always be ready for the Second Coming

~D&C 33:17

Be faithful, pray always,

~D&C 45:56-57

Do not be deceived, be prepared and wise.

The Savior's Last Week

Choice 1: Overview of the Last Week of the Savior’s Mortal Ministry

Read the information in the institute student manual about “The Last Days of Jesus’ Mortal Mission” (pp. 135-37). Then fill in the following chart with key events that took place during the Savior’s Final week of mortality:

Day1: Jesus comes to Jerusalem and is greeted by those who knew him as “the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” They placed palm branches at his feet and shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David…”

Day2: He challenged the Jewish religious leadership and drove those who were trading and other things from the temple.

Day3: The priests challenged Christ’s authority, and Jesus offended them by telling them a few parables. He called them hypocrites. From then on, Jesus only taught the twelve. The priests plotted Jesus’ death and one of the disciples offered to betray him.

Day4: Not much is known about this day.

Day5: Jesus and his disciples commemorate the Passover in private. He introduces the sacrament. Then he prophesies of His own death and indicated who would betray him. He goes to Gethsemane with Peter, James, and John, and goes off and prays by himself. He prays to “let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” He then suffered “the pain of all men”. Judas brought a band of men to seize Jesus, who goes with them without any resistance.

Day6: The Jewish leaders find a way to charge Jesus with two crimes, blasphemy (because he called himself the Son of God) and sedition against the state (because he claimed to be the “king of the Jews”). Jesus was executed by crucifixion. Jesus’ body was removed and buried in a sealed tomb.

Day 7: Jesus’ Body stayed in the tomb, but he ministered in the realm of the departed spirits.

Day of the Resurrection: Jesus Christ came out of the tomb alive and showed himself to Mary.  

Parables!

Choice 2: Luke 16:1–12, 19–31; 17:11–19; 18:1–14. Parables and Accounts That Teach Eternal Truths

1. Study the following parables and accounts along with the accompanying commentary from the institute student manual. Describe in writing what you feel is the major principle the Lord wants us to understand from each of the parables:
• Luke 16:1–12, the parable of the unjust steward. “The Children of This World Are in Their Generation Wiser Than the Children of Light” (p. 124).

We must look forward and plan ahead.

• Luke 16:19–31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. “What Do We Learn About the Spirit World from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?” (pp. 124–25).

Because Christ visited the Spirit world, a person from “Abraham’s Bosom” (or Spirit paradise) can visit a person in “Hell” (or Spirit prison) to teach them the gospel.

• Luke 17:11–19, the ten lepers. “Why Were the Ten Lepers to Show Themselves to the Priests?” and “Were There Not Ten Cleansed?” (p. 130). See also the Bible Dictionary, “Leprosy” (p. 724).

The gospel was meant for every nation, not just for the Jews.

• Luke 18:1–8, the parable of the unjust judge. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Unjust Judge?” (p. 131).

A man should always pray, and be persistent when asking for something.

• Luke 18:9–14, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican?” (p. 131).

No matter what you do, if you are not humble you shall not be rewarded. 

Disciples of Christ

 Choice 2: Luke 10:38–42; 11:1–13; 12:13–40; 13:23–24; 14:16–33. Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ

1. Read Luke 10:38–42; 11:1–13; 12:13–40; 13:23–24; 14:16–33 and the institute student manual commentary for Luke 11:5–13, “The Parable of the Friend at Midnight” (p. 115). Make a list of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and what the Savior taught about counting the costs of following Him.

One thing is that you must want to listen to and heed the words of Christ, much like Mary. A disciple must be eager to learn and to appease the Lord. He must be generous and not greedy, building up riches in heaven rather than on Earth. A disciple of Christ must be willing to give up everything he has to serve Christ.

2. Identify one of the teachings from your list that you would like to apply more fully in your life. Write a paragraph about how you could apply that teaching and what difference you believe it would make in your life.

I want to be eager to listen and heed the words of Christ. Sometimes I think I am doing well, and others, not so much. I need to really study my scriptures more so that I can really know what Christ tells us. The other thing that I really need to do is apply those words to my life. I need to develop better habits of listening to the words of Christ.

3. Read Luke 14:33; Omni 1:26; Mosiah 2:34; Matthew 13:44–46. Explain in writing what is ultimately required to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The thing that is ultimately required to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to give all that you have. As it says in Matthew 13; “… the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” A person should be willing to give up everything that they have if they want to serve Christ.