Student Choice Assignment, Week 11, New Testament Class

Choice 4: 1 John 1-3. That Ye May Have Fellowship with Us and with God

      

      1.      Read 1 John 1:1-4. Describe in writing John’s desire for those he wrote to.

John’s desire is for those he wrote to to have fellowship with the saints and with God.  He also wanted them to have eternal life and to have their joy full.

Study the following scripture references and then list what these verses teach about how we can come to know God better and have greater joy and fellowship with God:

·         1 John 1:8-10: Admit our sins and repent of them so our Father in Heaven can forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

·         1 John 2:3-6: Keep his commandments. When we do this, God’s love for us becomes more perfect.

·         1 John 2:9-11; 3:11-19: Love your brother; lay down your life for your brother just as the Savior laid down his life for you. Have compassion for your brother, serve him, and give him what he needs.

·         1 John 2:15-17: Refrain from loving the things of this world.

·         1 John 2:20-21, 27: Recognize truth when you hear it and don’t deny it.

·         1 John 3:4-6: Abide in Christ, as you do you will be able to resist sin.

      2.      Choose one of the ways to have greater joy and fellowship with God as you described it above, and write a paragraph explaining how you can better implement those principles in your life.

I have never struggled with committing large sins. I know I commit smaller sins on a daily basis and I know that admitting them and repenting of them is something I struggle with. I have been trying to do a better job of saying sorry to my spouse, my kids, and others around me when I do something to hurt them. I have been trying to also do a better job of repenting to my Father in Heaven for the sins I commit. I know there is room for improvement though. So, I am going to recommit to admitting my sins and repenting of them so my Father in Heaven can forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

Student Choice Assignment, Week 10, New Testament Class

Choice 1: James 1. “Be Ye Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only”

       1.      Read James 1 and respond in writing to the following items.

·         What words or phrases encourage you to look for direction from God?

“Ask of God” (5), “ask in faith” (6), “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (19), and “Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (21)

·         How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?

When we “ask in faith” we should not waverer in our faith like the waves of the sea when they are driven and tossed with the wind.

·         How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8?

These two verses both talk about not being able to serve two masters; you either serve the Lord or serve the devil. They relate to James 1:8 because when you try to please two masters, you will never be fully converted to either one. You have to choose who you will serve and do so with unwavering faith.

·         From James 1:13-15, 19-27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We know that God cannot tempt us, but we are tempted when we are drawn away by our own lust and become enticed to sin. Be slow to speak, slow to anger, be both hearers and does of the word of God, doers of righteousness and doers of the gospel by having unwavering faith and serving others.

·         Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22

My husband is always willing to serve others and will drop everything to go help. He does this without complaining or having a bad attitude. When he servers others, he is a good example to our children of being a hearer of the word and also a doer of the word and he takes the time to explain to our children why he is serving, why it is important for him to serve, and who he is ultimately serving.

       2.      Read the institute student manual commentary for James 1:5-6, “If Any of You Lack Wisdom” (p. 409). Make a list of reasons why Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915-1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said these verses have “had a greater impact…upon mankind than any other” scripture.

These verses led to the opening of the heavens in modern times.

All of us search for truth at some time in our lives.

We need to turn to God in order to gain eternal truths and eternal life.

Student Choice Assignment, Week 9, New Testament Class

Choice #3: 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 follow questions:      

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

We should be hospitable to strangers and remember those “in bonds”.

·         How is marriage looked upon?

Marriage is honorable in all.

·         What warnings are given about covetousness?

We need to be content with the things we have and not covet what others have.

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

The nature of Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”.

·         How are we sanctified?

We are sanctified through the atonement of Christ when we take upon us his name, have faith in Him, pray continually, and do good continually.

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

We should obey and submit ourselves to those who rule over us.

·         Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?

Paul asks the people to pray for him and those who are with him so they may return to the saints soon.

Student Choice Assignment, Week 8, New Testament Class

Choice 5: Hebrews 1-2. Jesus Christ Is Greater than Angels

    1.      Refer to “Epistle to the Hebrews” in the Bible Dictionary (pp. 746-47). Read the first paragraph and the “Analysis of Hebrews,” number 1-5. Make a list of what Jesus Christ is superior to.

Jesus is superior to: angels, Moses, and the high priests including Melchizedek, Arron, and Abraham.

    2.      Read Hebrews 1. Make a list of three truths Paul taught about the Savior Jesus Christ.

   A: Christ is the Son of God and the heir of all things (2).

   B: Christ purged our sins and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (3).

   C: Christ laid the foundation of the earth and the heaven are the works of his hands (10).

    3.      Read Hebrews 2:7-18; 4:13-16; Alma 7:11; Doctrine and Covenants 122:8. In writing describe    how these scriptures explain reasons the Son of God came to earth to experience mortality.

Christ needed to come to earth to experience mortality so he could be below the angels and below all of us. He needed to suffer pains and afflictions and be tempted so he could succor those that suffer pains and afflictions and are tempted.

Student Choice Assignment, Week 7, New Testament Class

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 need to work at being more like Christ. We need to strive to be one with others by being filled with the spirit, being likeminded, having love for one another, not allowing there to be strife between us, viewing others as our equals, and being humble and obedient. We need to do all of these things without murmuring or disputing it.

    ·  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. 361-52]).

Each of us is obligated to work out our own salvation. This does not mean that you just have to say you believe in Christ to be saved, it is that and so much more! We must also gain a testimony by exercising faith in Christ and continually do the things that will build and strengthen our testimonies. Those things include, but are not limited to, praying, reading our scriptures, and seeking answers to our questions concerning the gospel. We cannot rely on other’s testimonies because they cannot shield us from temptation or trials that will come our way. We need to have our own testimony so we will be better able to overcome those things.

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

Although we may feel like we have lost everything, and everyone we hold dear, we will always have Jesus Christ. He will never leave us as long as we continue in righteousness.

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

2 Nephi 32:3 says that when we feast upon the words of Christ, he will tell us all things what we should do. This tells us that all things that we have questions for, the answer can be found in the scriptures.