1 Peter 1–5. A “Peculiar People”

1.    Read 1 Peter 2:9–10, including footnote f. Also read the institute student manual commentary for 1 Peter 2:9, “What Is the Meaning of the Phrase ‘a Peculiar People’?” (pp. 416–17) and commentary for 1 Peter 2:9, “What Is a Royal Priesthood?” (p. 417). Write a brief definition of the following phrases:
o       Chosen generation - To be a chosen generation is a special selection of the Lord to move his work along. To be blessed with the gospel.
o       Royal priesthood - The authority to perform the blessings of the Lord on the earth
o       Holy nation - The covenant people
o       Peculiar people - Different from the world because we hold true to our standards.
2.    Read 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Mosiah 3:7; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–11. Describe in writing the price that was paid to help us become God’s “peculiar people.” We were bought with the price of Christ's blood and suffering so that we might have the opportunity to repent of our mistakes. Repentance is the key to becoming more like Christ and to repay for the price that was paid.
​ 3.    Search 1 Peter 1:13–25; 2:1–17; 3:10–11; 4:8; 5:6–8. Make a list of principles that, when followed, help us remain God’s peculiar people. 
    - Be Holy in conversation
    - Love one another
    - Be believing
    - Be willing to offer up sacrifices
    - Honor all men
    - Fear God
    - Refrain from evil speaking
    - Do good
    - Seek peace
    - Have charity
    - Humble yourself
4.    The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared: “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). Read 1 Peter 3:1–12 and identify three principles that relate to the statement above.
- Wife to subject to the husband's counsel
- Husband to honor and love his wife
- Be unified as a couple 

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 remember the golden rule. We need to think about how we would want to be uplifted. A need to be selfless.
• How is marriage looked upon? Marriage is honorable and sacred.
• What warnings are given about covetousness? If we are not content with what we have and covet the possessions of our neighbor we will not have the Lord with us.
• What is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! What an incredible blessing this is!
• How are we sanctified? We are sanctified by the blood of Christ.
• How do we respond to those who rule over us? We should obey those who rule over us and be submissive to their direction.
• Who did Paul ask the people to pray for? Paul asked them to pray for the leaders and members of the church so together we may stand strong against the temptations of the world.

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? Those who who harden their hearts or are unbelieving will not be accepted into the Lord's rest.
• What sins caused them to forfeit this privilege? The sin of omission or of unbelief.
• How does Doctrine and Covenants 84:23–24 help define what is the Lord’s rest? The Lord's rest is where those who are sanctified and worthy can be in the presence of the Lord.
• What sins did Paul repeatedly warn against so as not to incur the same punishment? Harden not your heart
• How do you think the warnings in Hebrews 3:12–15 apply to us? Progress and damnation both come little by little so we need to check ourselves daily so we know we are progressing. The important thing is to surround ourselves with those who will help us toward this goal of progression.
• List the counsel found in Hebrews 4 that will help a person enter into the rest of the Lord.Have faith in the doctrines of the gospel. Don't harden your heart to the word. It is a labor well worth our efforts.
• 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). Many understand to accept Christ is to call upon him sometimes when it is convenient for them. We see from the teachings of Matthew, James and John that we need to act upon the words we say or are taught. 

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). As Christ when he was on the earth we need to humble ourselves and get over the small things that happen. If we are focused on those little things that are going wrong we aren't seeing the many things that are going right. We ultimately miss out on the joy that comes from the optimistic point of view. Look for ways to see the good in all things that you are required to do. 
• 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]). It is important that we see that we are responsible for our OWN salvation. I have found that in my life it is not sufficient to know that someone else has a strong testimony of the gospel. They will not always be with you in the storms of life that whip and wave your spirit like a tree in the wind. It reminds me of the story of the 10 virgins. A testimony is just like the oil that could not be shared. It is a daily collecting.                                                         “To work out one’s salvation is not to sit idly by dreaming and yearning for God miraculously to thrust bounteous blessings into our laps. It is to perform daily, hourly, momentarily, if necessary, the immediate task or duty at hand, and to continue happily in such performance as the years come and go, leaving the fruits of such labors either for self or for others to be bestowed as a just and beneficent Father may determine.” (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1957, p. 7.)
• 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). This is a tough situation but like chapter 4 verse 13 says "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." If you know that this is the right thing you should be doing and you continue forward, you will see the blessings of the gospel in your life. The Lord  has a special way of sending you just the right blessings you need at just the right time.
• How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3? The Lord blesses our lives with special angels that touch our life because they have the Holy Ghost. We need to take advantage of these angels the Lord puts into our lives by listening to what they have to say to us. By the Holy Ghost comes the word of God.

Becoming New Creatures in Christ

Colossians 1-4

1. Make a list of names, titles, and phrases used by Paul in Colossians 1:13–2:7 to describe the Savior. What did Paul teach that Jesus Christ has done for us? What do these verses teach about the responsibilities we have to receive the blessings of the Lord? Son, Firstborn of every creature, Head of the body, the beginning, Firstborn of the dead. Christ has suffered so that we may become clean. He has made a clear example that if we root our selves in we will receive eternal happiness.
2. Write Helaman 5:12 next to Colossians 2:7 in the margin of your scriptures. After reading these two scriptures, write a paragraph explaining what it means to be “rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith.” To be "rooted" in Christ means to center your whole life around his teachings. We can do this as we make a conscious effort to live each day as Christ would. When we build ourselves up in Christ we have a special strength against satan and all the temptations he throws our way. We can see more clearly the difference between the right and the wrong.
3. Review Colossians 2:8, 18 and the institute student manual commentary for Colossians 2:18-19, “What does Paul Mean by the Worshiping of Angels?” (p. 345). List at least four means of deception Paul warned the Saints about in Colossae. What does 2 Nephi 9:28-29 add to what Paul warned? spoil you through philosophy, vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world. The pride of our knowledge can become our spiritual death.
4. Review Colossians 3 and make a list of what we should “put on” and “put off” or “mortify.” Make a chart like the following one and place your findings in the corresponding column:

Things We Should Seek After or “Put On”	Things We Should “Mortify” or “Put Off”
-Set affection on heavenly things - bowels of mercy - kindness - humbleness  - meekness - longsuffering - forbearing one another - forgiving one another - charity - peace of God in your heart - thankful - the word of Christ dwell in you - teaching and admonishing one another - do all things in the name of the Lord - do all things heartily unto the Lord	-Set affection on things of the earth - Fornication - uncleanness - inordinate affection - evil concupiscence - covetousness - anger - malice - wrath - blasphamy - filthy communication - dishonesty  - do things to please man

1. Review Colossians 3:15-21 and identify in writing several ideas that would help families live in greater harmony. Then answer the following questions in writing: A family is a group effort of cooperation. This means that every member is responsible to make it a place of harmony. If the family is centered in Christ they will find that peace that is needed to live in harmony.
   • What specific counsel did Paul give to children, parents, husbands, and wives? wives, submit to husbands; husbands, love your wives; children, love your parents
   • What did Paul teach about the importance of hymns? "singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Romans 6 ---->Baptism

Romans 6:1-13

- What must be done with sin before baptism can occur?
We must not let sin reign our hearts as it says in verse 12 but rather that we should be instruments of of righteousness that we may yield our hearts to God. This means that we must come clean of our sins, we must come to baptism with an energy  and devotion to Christ. As it would say in the Book of Mormon, it is a change of heart.

- What events from Christ's life are symbolized in baptism?
The death of Christ is symbolized as we are submerged into the water and as we rise back up it symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. The death of the sinner and the rising of a new, clean man.

- Consider this symbolism, why couldn't someone be baptized by sprinkling?
Being fully submerged is cleaning of the whole body whereas by sprinkling one is just receiving a portion of his/her body this cleansing.

- What do these verses teach us about how we can maintain the "newness of life"?
I find it interesting that verse 6 it explains boldly that our old man of sin has died with Christ so we should not return to being a servant of sin. We can be alive in Christ! Baptism is the first step.

- According to Mosiah 3:19, what part of us would ideally die at baptism?
Ideally the natural man, which is an enemy to God, would die. This means putting our pride, our selfishness on the side and submitting to his will.

Romans 6:14-23
In this scripture block it is clear to an understanding of who we are servants to. We are servants to that of which we yield to which means "to give up or surrender". When we are listening to the promptings of the Spirit and act upon promptings we are showing that our master is our Heavenly Father and we are his servant. It goes the other way as well when acting out of pleasure or lust. We become servants of the devil. 

The true source of freedom comes from being free from sin because we are then promised eternal life instead of death.

God Comforts Us in Times of Tribulation

2 Corinthians 1,4,11-12

Paul and Timothy were able to avoid despair because they knew (2 Cor. 1:3-5; 4:15-17 and Hebrews 12:6-7) that the Lord had a special plan for them. They realized that they only had a certain view on what was happening but in fact the plan is more eternal. It is noted that it wasn't easy and that they were confused at times but they kept their heads up and their spirits high. Even though it was rough they knew it would be worth it.

I think often times it is hard to remember that this hard times are for our good. They will be but a moment. The blessings will become known unto us.

Being a bold witness of Christ was not an easy task for Paul nor as was it for Joseph Smith. The cruelty that they would have for such testimonies is such a hard thing to understand but both men were such great examples of sticking it out and standing boldly.

Grace is an incredible gift we all have. It is only by grace that we are saved. That grace helps us strengthen our weaknesses and reach our greater potential. As we know that as Adam and Eve fell we became a fallen man full of imperfections and weaknesses. It is through the Savior's loving atonement that we can receive the help we need in order to make our stumbling blocks become our stepping stones.

It is interesting that Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 that "...Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may ^drest upon me." I was most confused by such a bold statement and wondered why anyone would want hard things but as I was thinking about it and found the answer within my own life story. The humbling times in our life helps us see that we can't do it all alone! I have seen quite a few times when the Lord has shown me to things that I needed to lift my spirits.

What better healer than the Master Healer?