Learn Miracles from the Master

Purpose

To help us recognize that the work of the Church is done by many people, all of whom contribute their talents and testimonies to strengthen the Church.

Preparation

1.
Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
1. a.
  Acts 6:1–7. The Twelve Apostles ordain seven men to supervise the temporal work of the Church.
2. b.
  Acts 6:8–7:60. Stephen, one of the seven, testifies before the Sanhedrin. His words anger the people who are listening, and they take him out of the city and stone him to death.
3. c.
  Acts 8:4–40. Philip, another of the seven, preaches and performs miracles in Samaria. He teaches and baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch.
5. d.
  Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–31. Saul persecutes the Church until he receives a vision of Jesus Christ. Saul is converted and baptized and begins to preach the gospel.
2.
Additional reading: Acts 22:1–16; 26:1–5, 9–18.
THE CHURCH GROWS AS THE WITNESSES GO FORTH
LESSONS
29. “Ye Are My Witnesses, Saith the Lord” ( Acts 1–8 )
30. “God Is No Respecter of Persons” ( Acts 10–12 )
31. “A Chosen Vessel unto Me” ( Acts 9 )

32. “I Have Set Thee to Be a Light of the Gentiles” ( Acts 13–18 )

There are 2 BYU Scripture Discussions you can listen to that cover the same material as this lesson. Additionally there are links to more web resources for each episode that you can study:
4. I See The Heavens Opened (Acts 6-8)

5. Why Persecutest Thou Me? (Acts 9-10)

"Lesson 29: “The Number of the Disciples Was Multiplied”," New Testament Class Member Study Guide, (1997)

Acts 6–9

•
As the early Church grew, groups within it sometimes had disagreements with each another (Acts 6:1). How can we as Church members overcome disagreements and divisions among us? Why is it important that we do so?
•
How did Philip meet the Ethiopian eunuch? (See Acts 8:25–29.) What blessings came to Philip and to the Ethiopian because Philip followed the Spirit? (See Acts 8:30–38.) What blessings have come to you (or to someone you know) because you have followed the Spirit?
•
Saul changed from a persecutor of the Saints to a great servant of the Lord after he heard the Lord’s voice (Acts 9:1–9, 17). How can we hear the voice of the Lord? (See D&C 1:38; 6:23; 8:2; 18:34–36.) How can hearing his voice help us become converted?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

After reading and marking the scripture chain in this section as a family, ask the following questions:

•
Why do you think it is important to be a member of a ward (or branch)? Who are some of the leaders and teachers in our ward? What do they do to help and support us? What can we do to help and support them?

Scripture Chain: Working Together in the Kingdom of God

1 Corinthians 12:12–21

Ephesians 4:11–16

“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 .)

"Lesson 28: “We Are Witnesses”," New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (2002)

Purpose

To remind us of our responsibility to be witnesses of Jesus Christ and to help us see how the gift of the Holy Ghost helps us do so.

Preparation

1.
Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
1. a.
  Acts 1. After ministering among his disciples for 40 days, the resurrected Lord ascends into heaven. Matthias is chosen to fill the vacancy left by Judas in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
3. b.
  Acts 2. On the day of Pentecost, the Apostles are filled with the Holy Ghost and speak in many languages. Many who hear them are converted.
4. c.
  Acts 3–4. Peter and John heal a lame man and testify that the man was healed by the power of Jesus Christ. The Apostles pray for and receive great power through the Holy Ghost.
5. d.
  Acts 5:12–42. The Apostles continue to preach and heal with great power. They are arrested and jailed but are released from prison by an angel. They declare to the chief priests that they obey God rather than men. Gamaliel counsels the Pharisees not to kill the Apostles.
2.
Additional reading: Mark 16:19–20; Luke 24:49–53; Joseph Smith—History 1:21–25.
The following is an excerpt from a talk
BY PRESIDENT HAROLD B. LEE, Stand Ye in holy places
Healing Sick Souls

The great call has come now in the sermons of the Brethren to aid those who are in need of aid, not just temporal aid but spiritual aid. The greatest miracles I see today are not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls, those who are sick in soul and spirit and are downhearted and distraught, on the verge of nervous breakdowns. We are reaching out to all such because they are precious in the sight of the Lord and we want no one to feel that they are forgotten.

I read again and again the experience of Peter and John as they went through the gate beautiful on the way to the temple. Here was one who had never walked, impotent from his birth, begging alms of all who approached the gate. And as Peter and John approached, he held out his hand expectantly, asking for alms. Peter, speaking for this pair of missionaries—Church authorities—said, “Look on us.” And, of course, that heightened his expectation. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:4, 6).

Now in my mind’s eye I can picture this man, what was in his mind: “Doesn’t this man know that I have never walked? He commands me to walk.” But the biblical record doesn’t end there. Peter just didn’t content himself by commanding the man to walk, but he “took him by the right hand, and lifted him up” (Acts 3:7).

Will you see that picture now of that noble soul, that chiefest of the Apostles, perhaps with his arms around the shoulders of this man, … saying, “Now, my good man, have courage; I will take a few steps with you. Let’s walk together, and I assure you that you can walk because you have received a blessing by the power and authority that God has given us as men, His servants.” Then the man leaped with joy.

You cannot lift another soul until you are standing on higher ground than he is. You must be sure, if you would rescue the man, that you yourself are setting the example of what you would have him be. You cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own soul. You teachers, the testimony that you bear, the spirit with which you teach and with which you lead, is one of the most important assets that you can have as you help to strengthen those who need so much, wherein you have so much to give. Who of us, in whatever station we may have been in, have not needed strengthening?

Introduction to Religion 212 “Ye Shall Be Witnesses unto Me”

What Should I Seek to Accomplish As I Take This Course of Study?

Two major objectives lie at the heart of a study of the latter half of the New Testament. First, to draw closer to Christ and feel increased spiritual power. Secondly, a study of Acts to Revelation is especially valuable for Latter-day Saints because we face many of the same problems that faced those early saints. In our dispensation, the church of Jesus Christ has once again been organized, and our commission is the same as was theirs: to take the blessings of the Church and the witness of the resurrected Christ to all the world ( D&C 1:17–23 ).

There are 3 BYU Scripture discussions that cover this one lesson.

1. Behold My Hands and My Feet (Luke 24; Acts 1)

2. Ordained to Be a Witness (Acts 1-2)

3. There Is None Other Name (Acts 3-5)

Lesson 28: “We Are Witnesses”," New Testament Class Member Study Guide

Acts 1–5

•
How did the gift of the Holy Ghost help the Apostles in their responsibility to be witnesses of Jesus Christ? (See John 15:26–27; 1 Corinthians 12:3.) What is the role of the Holy Ghost in our efforts to teach the gospel? (See 2 Nephi 33:1; D&C 42:14.)
•
How did Peter respond to those who mocked the Apostles for speaking in tongues? (See Acts 2:14–24, 36.) What impresses you about Peter’s response? Why is it important to have a testimony of Jesus Christ and his divine mission? How can the Holy Ghost help us share our testimonies?
•
Peter used a miracle as an opportunity to testify of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:12–26; 4:5–12). What opportunities do you have to testify of Christ? How have you been blessed as you have been a witness (or have heard others be witnesses) of Jesus Christ?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Read Mosiah 18:8–9, giving close attention to the instruction to “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.” Ask family members how they can follow this instruction. Have a family

member relate an experience he or she has had in being a witness of Jesus Christ and his gospel. Encourage family members to be witnesses of the Savior in the things they say and do during the coming week.