Paul dictating a letter from prison

October 9–15

Philippians; Colossians

“I Can Do All Things through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me”

Begin by reading Philippians and Colossians, and prayerfully ponder the doctrine the Lord wants you to teach. Let the Spirit guide you as you consider the questions and resources you could use to teach this doctrine.

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Invite Sharing

Invite class members to share one word or phrase that summarizes what they learned from Philippians and Colossians and to then explain why they chose that word or phrase. Encourage them to share scripture verses as part of their explanation.

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Teach the Doctrine

Philippians 2:1–5, 14–18; 4:1–9; Colossians 3:1–17

We become “new” as we live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• You may want to help your class members visualize what it means to “put off the old man” and “put on the new man” through Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:9–10). To do this, you might display before and after pictures of something old that has been transformed into something new (such as a piece of furniture, a home, or a bike). Class members could discuss how we become “new” through our faith in Jesus Christ and our willingness to live His gospel. As part of this discussion, you could ask half of the class to study Philippians 2:1–5, 14–18; 4:1–9 and the other half to study Colossians 3:1–17, identifying characteristics of the “old man” and the “new man.” You could also invite a few class members to share how having faith in Jesus Christ and living His gospel have helped them become new people.

Philippians 4:1–13

We can find joy in Christ, regardless of our circumstances.

• Even though our circumstances are different from Paul’s, we can all learn from his willingness to be content and to rejoice in all the circumstances of his life. To begin a discussion on this topic, you could review some of the trials Paul experienced (see, for example, 2 Corinthians 11:23–28). You could then ask class members to review Philippians 4:1–13 to find counsel Paul gave that can help us rejoice, even in times of trial.

• Perhaps class members could share experiences when they felt “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) or when they felt strengthened “through Christ” (verse 13) to accomplish something they could not have done otherwise.

• If you would like to explore this topic further, you might ask a class member to share some inspiring accounts or statements from President Russell M. Nelson’s talk “Joy and Spiritual Survival” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 81–84). Or the class could watch the video “Trial of Adversity” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How did the people in President Nelson’s talk or the woman in the video find joy, despite their difficult circumstances?

• Because evil is increasing in today’s world, your class members will benefit from Paul’s counsel to “think on” things that are pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Perhaps you could assign each class member (or small groups of class members) one of the qualities listed in Philippians 4:8 or Articles of Faith 1:13. They could each use the Topical Guide to find scriptures about their assigned quality and share with the class what they find. They could also share examples of that quality in people’s lives. How do we “seek after these things”?

Colossians 1:12–23; 2:2–8

When we are “rooted” in Jesus Christ, we are strengthened against worldly influences.

• Paul’s testimony of the Savior found in Colossians 1:12–23; 2:2–8 provides a good opportunity for class members to ponder and strengthen their own faith. Class members could search these verses to find things that strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be “rooted and built up in [Jesus Christ]”? (Colossians 2:7). The picture of a tree in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families and the video “Spiritual Whirlwinds” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) can help class members discuss this verse. What can strengthen or weaken the roots of a tree? How does being “rooted and built up in [Jesus Christ]” strengthen us against worldly influences? (see Colossians 2:7–8; see also Helaman 5:12; Ether 12:4).

• You might invite class members to list things that Colossians 1:12–23; 2:2–8 teaches we can do to avoid the “vain deceit” that can “spoil” our faith in Christ (Colossians 2:8). How can we support each other in our efforts to follow the Savior and avoid Satan’s deceptions?

Improving Our Teaching

Use music. Sacred music invites the influence of the Holy Ghost. It can create a reverent atmosphere and inspire commitment and action. Consider how “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns” can be part of your class (Colossians 3:16; see also Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 22).