Student Choice Assignment, Week 5, New Testament Class

Choice 3: Romans 6. Baptism

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

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

We must let go of our old sinful self and become free from sin.

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

The death of Jesus Christ, his burial, and resurrection.

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

If our baptism is meant to symbolize the death of our former, sinful self, then we need to be fully “buried” in the water. When someone is sprinkled with water, they are not fully immersed in the water, so that act does not symbolize the death of our old self.

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

Just as Christ overcame death when he was resurrected, we can overcome sin when we are baptized. After we are baptized, we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us avoid sin. We will not be perfect and so we will have the need to repent of our sins. Each week we are given the opportunity to renew our baptismal covenants when we partake of the sacrament.

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

Ideally the natural man inside of each of us would die at baptism.

      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.

There are only two masters, the Lord and Satan. We know who we are serving by the choices we are making. If we choose to continually sin, we are serving Satan. If we choose righteousness by keeping the commandments, we are serving the Lord.

The true source of freedom is the source that when we follow it, we are not limited or tied down because of those choices.

Siemers Farm 2013

 We usually go to the Harvest House during October to get their pumpkin doughnuts and do some of the fun fall activities there. The Harvest House is always so packed, so we decided to try another farm this year. We ended up going to Siemers and loved it. They too have pumpkin doughnuts, but they also have huckleberry ones too. 

Partaking of doughnuts was our first stop.

Next we let Mason, Cooper, and Shiloh slide down the big slide. Shiloh did not want to do it by herself, so I went down with her.

Just sittin' around...

 Overall we had a great morning and as we left, we were glad we went as early as we did, the line of cars just to get to any of the several farms was at least 2 miles long. Yikes!

Student Choice Assigment, Week 4, New Testament Class

Choice 2: 2 Corinthians 2:1-11. Forgiveness

Review 2 Corinthians 2:1-11; Matthew 6:14-15; Doctrine and Covenants 649-10. Then respond to the following questions:

·     What were the people of Corinth commanded to do “if any have caused grief”?

To forgive and comfort the sinner, lest he be swallowed up with much sorrow.

 

      What blessings do we see if we forgive?

Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will forgive us.

Satan will not have power over us.

Love for others and love for ourselves.

·     What is the danger in failing to forgive?

The Lord will not forgive us, and in turn we have then committed the bigger sin.

We are judged with the same judgment we have judged others with.

Satan will take advantage of you.

Student Choice Assignment, Week 3, New Testament Class

Choice 6: 1 Corinthians 10, 11 The Sacrament

Study 1 Corinthians 10:16–21; 11:20–29 and compare it with 3 Nephi 18:6–11, 28–29. Then respond in writing to the following items:

 1. Read Luke 22:19 and identify the important word Luke used in describing the sacrament that          Nephi also used but Paul did not.
     Luke and Nephi both say "given", while Paul says "broken".
2. What is different between what is taught in 1 Corinthians 11:27–29 and 3 Nephi 18:28–29 with         regard to the counsel about when to not partake of the sacrament?
   Christ says it is a commandment and that if ye shall know a man is unworthy, you should forbid him. (both      in 3 Nephi) In Corinthians he says to examine yourselves.
3. What did Paul teach that explains why we don’t want to partake of the sacrament unworthily?
    If you partake of the sacrament unworthily, you eat and drink damnation to yourself.
4. What can you do to make the sacrament a more meaningful experience in your life both on             Sundays and during the week?
    I know I need to reflect more on my weaknesses during the week, strive to correct those weaknesses,           and make more of an effort to repent of those weaknesses each day so I can be more worthy and                 prepared to partake of the sacrament each week.

Student Choice Assignment, Week 2, New Testament Class

Choice 1 Acts 19-20. Proper Authority and Ministering to the People

Study Acts 19:1-12; 20:7-12; and list five priesthood ordinances Paul performed.

     1.      Baptism

     2.      Gift of the Holy Ghost

     3.      Sacrament

     4.      Administering to the sick

     5.      Priesthood blessing to raise Eutychus from the dead.

Answer the following questions in writing:  

     1.      What did Paul do for the Corinthian saints because it hadn't been done right the first time?

     Paul baptized the Corinthian saints with the power of the priesthood and blessed them with the gift of the        Holy Ghost.

     2.      How does this help answer the question many nonmembers have about the need of being                  baptized when they have already been baptized?

     In order to receive all that the Father has, one must be baptized by the proper authority. Our church is the      only church on Earth with the proper authority, which is the priesthood.

     3.      In what way did Paul bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost?

    Paul bestowed the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.

     4.      On what day of the week did the saints meet to break bread? What evidence is there in John          20:1, 19 for why the Sabbath day was changed?

    The saints met to break bread on the first day of the week. It was changed because Christ appeared to         the Apostles that same day that He was resurrected.

September Happenings

Other than school starting for Mason, Cooper, and myself again, we have had a pretty low key month. Here are some random pictures from this month.

 I just love her to pieces.

 I wonder if his arms were asleep when he woke up?

 Will they ever get tired of camo?

 Sometimes we just sit on the kitchen floor, cuz it's fun!

 Learning how to build with Legos. Check out her hair after taking out ponies.

Will they ever get tired of Legos?

We can't get Kinley to keep a bib on to save our lives, so Shiloh may as well wear them.

Student Choice Assignment, Week 1, New Testament Class

Choice 2: Acts 16; 18. Paul’s Second Mission

   1.      Trace Paul’s second missionary journey from Bible Map 13. List the names of four cities he visited, to whom he later wrote epistles. Read Acts 16:6-10; 18:9-11. Write a paragraph explaining the different ways the Holy Ghost directed Paul and his companions during their journey. Write a second paragraph describing how the Spirit has directed your missionary efforts, and one way you could be more directed by the Spirit in your life.

Four cities Paul visited were: Samaria, Tarsus, Derbe, and Macedonia.

While Paul was on his journey, he was “forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia”. Once they got to Mysia they wanted to go preach in Bithynia but the Spirit told them not to. While Paul was sleeping, he had a vision where a man from Macedonia stood and was asking for Paul to come preach in Macedonia. After his vision, they immediately went into Macedonia to preach the gospel to the people there. The Lord told Paul in a vision to, “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace, for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee, for I have much people in this city”. Paul remained in that city for 1 ½ years and preached the gospel.

The spirit has directed me in my missionary efforts several times. The time that is most meaningful to me was when I introduced my husband, Jeff to the gospel. We worked together while we were in our Junior and Senior years of high school. I wasn’t really looking to convert someone to the gospel, but as we got to know each other more, it became obvious to me that he was searching for truths, but was unsuccessful up to that point. On day, I had a very strong impression that I needed to invite him to take the missionary discussions. Little did I know, but he had also had a very strong impression that he needed to ask if he could take the discussions. After taking the discussions Jeff was baptized and 16 months later we were sealed in the temple. For me, I strive every day to live worthy of the Holy Ghost’s companionship, but one way I could be more directed by the Spirit in my life is to specifically ask for his guidance in helping me to know who I know or come in contact with could use the gospel message in their life.

   2.      Review Acts 16:9-33. Make a list of the reasons Paul was able to preach the gospel so effectively. Then in writing answer the following questions:

·         In what ways did Paul turn his experiences into missionary opportunities?  Even though Paul saw a certain man in his vision, he and Silas were not solely focused on finding that man, they served other along their way. He taught and baptized a woman by the name of Lydia and healed a woman by casting an evil spirit out of her. After casing out the evil spirit, Paul was thrown into prison. While in prison, they did not lose their faith, instead, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God.

·         What can you learn from Paul’s missionary experiences? 

When we are asked to do things that seem hard, we need to obey without questioning. We all go through trials in our lives, even those who are called of God to do his work. We need not doubt the Lord. We need to continue to have faith that he will bless us.

·         How is the jailer an example of a true convert?

The jailer was an example of a true convert by the way he reacted when he witnessed a miracle from God. While Paul and Saul were in prison, God caused an earthquake to shake the foundations of the prison to shake and all the doors to open. The jailer recognized what had just happened and fell to the ground and confessed to Paul and Silas that he believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized that night.

·         How does Mosiah 4:9-10 expand your understanding of Acts 17:30-31? 

We need to believe in God, believe that he has all wisdom, and believe that man does not comprehend all the things which the Lord does comprehend. We also need to repent of our sins and humble ourselves and do the things that we are commanded to do.

·         What can you do now to better prepare yourself to share the gospel, whether as a full-time missionary or as a member? 

I could make a list of people I know who I think need to hear the gospel message and then I could pray about that list for guidance as to who I could share the gospel with. 

Bobcat

Mason had his first pack meeting last night since joining cub scouts. At that pack meeting he earned several segments for the various summer activities he participated in and his Day camp patch. He also earned his Bobcat badge. He earned that badge by learning all about the cub scout program including the cub scout motto, handshake, sign, etc. 

It is tradition that the cub scout earning their Bobcat badge is turned upside down while the badge is placed on their uniform. The badge is to be placed so that when the scout is turned right side up, the badge is upside down. The badge can be turned right side up once the scout preforms a good deed.

Mason made sure he performed a good deed the next morning so he could have his turned right side up. His good deed included making his bed, Cooper's bed, Shiloh's bed, and Jeff and my bed. I'd say he has earned the right to have his badge turned right side up, wouldn't you?

Student Choice Assignment, Introduction Week, New Testament Class

This semester I am taking a class on the New Testament. Some of you may remember that I took a class on the New Testament a year ago, that class covered the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; this class covers the books from Acts to Revelation. You may also remember that I had to complete a "Student Choice Assignment" each week and in order to complete that assignment, I posted some thoughts about that week's material to my blog. It looks like I will have the same assignment to complete, so here are my thoughts on a portion of this week's material.

Choice 3: Acts 2. The Day of Pentecost

Read Acts 2 and the institute student manual commentary for Acts 2:1, “What was the Day of Pentecost?” (pp. 243-44). Then respond in writing to the following items:

  

  o   Briefly describe the meaning of the day of Pentecost.

 “Pentecost” comes from the Greek work pentekoste which translates to “fifty”. For fifty days, or seven      seeks following the Passover feast, faithful Jews observed the Pentecost celebration. During the celebration, God poured out his Spirit upon the people as they were pouring out their gratitude to him.

  o   List two or three of Peter’s teachings on this day.

1.       Before the Lord comes again, “the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood”. (Acts 2:20)

2.       Whoever believes in Christ and “shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. (Acts 2:21)

3.       Peter testifies of the resurrection of Christ. (Acts2:24)

  o   In what ways did Peter fulfill his role as a special witness of Jesus Christ?

Peter preached of, and testified of Christ and exhorted the people to repent and be baptized.

  o   What gifts of the Spirit were made manifest on the day of Pentecost?

There were many people present who all spoke their own native tongue. The Holy Ghost gave them the power to speak in tongues so that they could all understand one another.

  o   How did the people respond to what occurred on this day?

Those who did not believe mocked those speaking in tongues saying they must be drunk. Those who believed (about 3,000 souls) were baptized.

Garden and Canning

A gal in our ward gets fresh produce for great prices every year. I ran out of my yummy salsa a few months back, so when I saw that the roma tomatoes were $0.50 per pound, I went a head and got some, even though I have one roma tomato plant in my garden, I figured I would mainly eat the ones from my garden and can the ones I buy. 

Jeff does not like it when Shiloh decides to run around the house in just her diaper. I could care less, but to him it is a big deal. When she is older, I will share the same concern, but for now, she's two, so let her have some fun! Anyway, after taking the skins off some of the tomatoes, I sent Jeff a picture of the "naked" tomatoes. He never responded to the picture, but I'm sure he wanted to find them some clothes.

My sister, Julia came to help me. Together we were able to can 38 pints of salsa. Not too bad for one afternoon (and evening).

 In the same order of tomatoes, I also ordered some peaches. I split that box with a fellow ward member/neighbor. I only canned these 5 quarts and at the rest fresh.

Just a few items from our garden. 

We also had strawberries and raspberries, but those didn't last long enough to get any pictures.