“Acts 6–9,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)
Acts 6–9
The Apostles called seven men to assist them in the Lord’s work. Stephen, who was one of these seven men, was killed for his testimony of Jesus Christ. Peter, John, and Philip ministered, preached, and performed miracles. Saul persecuted the Church. Jesus appeared to Saul, and he became a devoted disciple and tireless missionary.
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Acts 6–9”
The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.
Encouraging Personal Study
Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:
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As you read about Stephen’s experience (see Acts 7:51–60), think about how you have reacted to Church leaders’ teachings that may have been difficult to hear.
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Do you ever feel like you are a prisoner to past mistakes? Consider how Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:1–22 can teach you how to find freedom from past mistakes.
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How can you have greater access to God’s power? Consider what you learn as you study Acts 8:9–24, 27–40; 9:32–43.
Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Acts 6–9.
Skill Training
Acts 6:8–15; 7:51–60 might be a helpful place to use the skill “Understanding the Scriptures in Context” in Scripture Study Skills.
Learning Activity Options
Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class.
How can I be more open to the influence of the Holy Ghost?
Invite students to think of a message from the prophet they initially found challenging to accept. Display the following responses, and invite students to select the one that best fits how they felt.
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I was open to the message.
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I felt resistance to the message.
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I felt anger and opposition to the message.
Explain that in Acts 6–7, we learn about a Church leader named Stephen. He gave a sermon that some Jewish leaders did not like. As students study this account, invite them to think about what they can learn from Stephen and the Jewish leaders.
Display the following questions and resources. Invite students to study the passages so they can better understand the context and content of Stephen’s message (see the skill “Understanding the Scriptures in Context” in Scripture Study Skills).
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What do we know about Stephen’s Church calling? (Read Acts 6:1–8.)
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What do we know about the people Stephen taught? (Read Acts 6:9–15.)
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Read “Acts 7:1–53. How did Stephen use biblical history to defend himself?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
After allowing time for study, invite students to share what they learned about Stephen, his audience, and his message.
Read together Acts 7:51–60 or watch “The Martyrdom of Stephen” (from time code 3:00 to 5:43). You could ask one or more of the following questions:
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What do you think it means to resist the Holy Ghost?
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What happened to the people as they resisted the Holy Ghost? (Help students understand that when we resist the Holy Ghost, we are more likely to reject the Lord and His authorized servants.)
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What happened to Stephen as he opened his heart to the Holy Ghost? (Help students understand that when we receive the Holy Ghost, we draw closer to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.)
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What are some examples of how we resist the Holy Ghost in our day?
Invite students to think of a time when they have felt tempted to resist the Holy Ghost. They could then contrast this experience with a time when they opened their heart to the Holy Ghost. As students compare these experiences, have them record words or phrases that describe the difference. Invite students to share their insights. To help with this discussion, you could watch “Feeling the Holy Ghost” (3:17).
You could conclude the learning activity by reading together the following statement by Elder Ronald A. Rasband:
Our Father in Heaven knew that in mortality we would face challenges, tribulation, and turmoil; He knew we would wrestle with questions, disappointments, temptations, and weaknesses. To give us mortal strength and divine guidance, He provided the Holy Spirit, another name for the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost binds us to the Lord. By divine assignment, He inspires, testifies, teaches, and prompts us to walk in the light of the Lord. (“Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 93)
Give students time to reflect and record what they can do to be more open to the influence of the Holy Ghost.
What does the Savior see in me?
You could begin the activity by displaying the following images and statements:
“With my upbringing, I am not sure there is much I can contribute to the Lord’s Church.”
“I would like to serve a mission, but with my quirky personality I am not sure I could really be the type of missionary the Church is looking for.”
“I have made too many mistakes for too many years. How could I ever be accepted by God?”
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What common problem do you see in these self-assessments?
Encourage students to ponder these statements as they learn more about Saul.
Invite students to read Acts 8:1–4; 9:1–2 and to record a brief biography of Saul based on these verses. Ask a few students to read what they wrote.
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If this is all you knew about Saul, what type of man would you consider him to be? How would you feel if he showed up at your home or in your sacrament meeting?
Invite students to read Acts 9:3–22 or watch “The Road to Damascus” (5:23), looking for what this experience teaches us about Saul and the Lord. After reading these verses or watching the video, you could give students time to discuss what they learned. They may identify truths like the following: Jesus Christ sees our potential for good and gives us opportunities to change. Despite our past, we can choose to be changed by Jesus Christ and become instruments in His hands.
Improving Our Teaching and Learning
Help learners recognize the Lord’s love, power, and mercy in their lives. It is good to know about the Savior’s love, power, and mercy, but we also need to experience it. Look for opportunities to help students recall when they have experienced the love, power, and mercy of Jesus Christ. If students do not feel they have experienced these things, invite them to pray to have such experiences.
You could display the following questions. Invite students to ponder and record their thoughts about the questions most relevant to them:
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What might Jesus Christ see in you that no one else can see? How can you come to know what He sees in you? (You could watch “Our True Identity” [3:39].)
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In what ways might your past mistakes or sins be holding you back? What choices can you make so the Lord can free you from your past?
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Who might you be holding back because you see them only by their past mistakes? How can Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ change how you see yourself and others?
Consider reading together the following statement by Elder Kevin S. Hamilton. Invite students to share examples of people who, despite past mistakes, have become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Encourage students to think about someone (it could be themselves) who they will strive to see more clearly through the Savior’s eyes. Or you could watch “His Grace—Am I Beyond Saving?” (6:25).
The Savior worked out His infinite and eternal Atonement so that we could in fact change, repent, and become better. … As sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, we have the power within us to change.
The scriptures are full of examples of men and women who changed.
Saul, a Pharisee and active persecutor of the early Christian church, became Paul, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. (“Then Will I Make Weak Things Become Strong,” Liahona, May 2022, 52)
How can I have greater access to God’s power?
Consider displaying the following or similar statements:
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“I don’t share my beliefs very often because I am not really good at talking about my faith.”
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“I avoid giving priesthood blessings because I worry I won’t say the right things.”
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“I turned down a calling because I didn’t feel I had the ability to do it well.”
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What are some other ways we lack confidence or feel we lack the ability to do God’s work?
Display the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson or watch “Increase Our Access to His Power” (0:29).
If we will humbly present ourselves before the Lord and ask Him to teach us, He will show us how to increase our access to His power. (“The Price of Priesthood Power,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 69)
Explain that in Acts 8 and 9, there are three accounts that can teach us about accessing God’s power. Invite students to read one or more of these accounts, looking for principles about accessing God’s power.
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Acts 8:9–24: Simon attempts to purchase priesthood power.
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Acts 8:27–40: Philip teaches and baptizes an official from Ethiopia.
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Acts 9:32–43: Peter heals a man and brings Tabitha back to life.
After allowing time for study, invite students to share what truths they found. They may share truths like the following: We can’t use worldly means to access God’s power. We increase our power to do God’s work when we quickly respond to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. We increase our access to God’s power when we teach about Jesus Christ from the scriptures. When we kneel before God in humble prayer, we increase our access to His power.
As students share the truths they discovered, you could ask them follow-up questions that draw on their experience. For example, you could ask the following:
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When have you seen this truth work in your life or in the life of someone you know?
To help students feel the truth and importance of what they are learning, you could once again display the statement by President Nelson. Invite students to humbly ask the Lord what He might want to teach them about how to increase their access to His power.
To help students apply what they are learning and feeling, invite them to consider how they could teach what they have learned to others in the class. For example, students could create a meme, share a personal experience, find a relevant quote, or use some other teaching method. After they have time to prepare, invite students to share with a partner what they learned about accessing God’s power in their lives.
Consider inviting students to share their message with someone outside of class, such as a friend, a family member, or someone they minister to. They could share this message in person or on social media.