Scripture Courses
1 and 2 Peter

“1 and 2 Peter,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)

the resurrected Savior showing people the prints of the nails in His hands

Christ in the Midst, by Judith Mehr

1 and 2 Peter

Peter’s powerful witness of Jesus Christ was intended to instill hope in the Saints who were being persecuted for their faith. Peter taught that if they endured persecution well, they would receive salvation and eternal glory. He reminded them that the Savior had chosen and called them to be a holy people. Peter wrote about Jesus Christ’s ministry to the spirit world following His Crucifixion. In his second epistle, Peter encouraged disciples of Jesus Christ to become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). Peter also warned of “false prophets” and “false teachers” (2 Peter 2:1).

Additional Resources

Scripture Helps: New Testament, “1 and 2 Peter”

Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.

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Encouraging Personal Study

Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:

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Questions and Sharing

Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of 1 and 2 Peter.

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Skill Training

1 Peter 3:18–22; 4:6 and 2 Peter 1:1–8 might be helpful places to use the skills “Using Restoration Scripture to Understand the Bible” and “Searching in the Scriptures and in Gospel Library” in Scripture Study Skills.

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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.

1 Peter 1:3–9; 2:19–24; 3:14–17; 4:12–19

How can Jesus Christ help me when facing trials and experiencing suffering?

Write the following words on the board: trials and suffering.

  • What are some examples of trials and suffering young adults face?

  • How have you seen people respond to these types of experiences?

Point out that when Peter wrote his letters, Church members were facing increased persecution. (See “To whom were Peter’s letters written and why?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.) In Peter’s first epistle, he taught principles that can guide us as we face trials and experience suffering. Encourage students to think about how these principles can be applied to their own lives.

Invite students to form groups of three, and provide students with the handout “Guiding Principles During Times of Trial and Suffering.”

Guiding Principles during Times of Trial and Suffering handout

After students have taught each other, you could invite them to share something they learned in their group discussions. They could also write principles they learned on the board as they share.

You could read together and discuss 1 Peter 2:19–24. Consider asking the following questions to deepen your discussion:

  • What can we learn from Jesus Christ’s example about enduring trials? (Help students understand that during times of adversity, we can find strength by following Jesus Christ’s example.)

  • How has Christ’s example influenced your own response to trials and suffering?

You could invite students to reflect on the principles they have discussed today and record how they could apply what they have learned. Encourage students to ponder how the Savior can help them.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

1 Peter 1:13–16, 22–23; 2:9–10; 3:8–10, 15; 4:8–11

Why does the Lord want me to be a “peculiar” person?

Consider displaying the following statement from Sister Rebecca L. Craven, former Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency:

Sister Rebecca L. Craven

As a covenant people, we are not meant to blend in with the rest of the world. We have been called “a peculiar people” [1 Peter 2:9]—what a compliment! As the influences of the world increasingly embrace the evil, we must strive with all diligence to stay firmly on the path that leads us safely to our Savior, widening the distance between our covenant living and worldly influences. (“Careful versus Casual,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 10)

  • Why do you think the Lord’s covenant people aren’t meant to blend in with the rest of the world?

  • Why can it be challenging to avoid blending in with the rest of the world?

Invite students to read 1 Peter 2:9–10 and identify ways Peter described the Lord’s covenant people. You could list these descriptions on the board.

  • What is the message in these verses for the Lord’s covenant people? (Students may identify a truth similar to the following: The Lord’s covenant people are a chosen, holy, and peculiar people.)

  • How does a follower of Jesus Christ become chosen, holy, and “peculiar”? (For context on how Peter is using the word peculiar, you could read “1 Peter 2:9–10. What does it mean to be a ‘chosen generation’ and ‘a peculiar people’?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)

  • How has making and keeping covenants helped you to be different from the rest of the world?

Display the following scripture passages: 1 Peter 1:13–16, 21–23; 3:8–10, 15; 4:8–11. Write the following incomplete statement on the board: I can be a holy, chosen, and peculiar follower of Jesus Christ by …

Invite students to study one or more of the displayed passages, looking for ways to complete the statement on the board. After giving students time to study, invite them to share how they would complete the statement. As they share, consider asking the following questions to deepen their learning:

  • Why can it sometimes be challenging to apply this principle in our daily lives?

  • When have you seen this principle in action?

  • Who could be blessed if you applied this principle?

Consider finishing the learning activity with the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson. Invite students to consider how they will be a holy, chosen, and peculiar follower of Jesus Christ.

President Russell M. Nelson

My … invitation is for you to stand out; be different from the world. You and I know that you are to be a light to the world. Therefore, the Lord needs you to look like, sound like, act like, and dress like a true disciple of Jesus Christ. …

Set a standard for the rest of the world! Embrace being different! (“Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], Gospel Library)

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

1 Peter 3:18–22; 4:6

What can the Savior’s ministry in the spirit world teach me about Him?

Display the following scenario:

After an inspired discussion about the doctrine of Christ (see 2 Nephi 31), some missionaries invite Isabella to follow Jesus Christ’s example and be baptized. After hearing this invitation, Isabella’s face becomes tense. She finally blurts out: “I just don’t get it. You tell me that I must be baptized to gain access to Christ’s redeeming power and progress on the covenant path. And yet, there are countless people—maybe billions—who have lived on this earth and never heard this message and know nothing about this path. How is this fair? Why are they left out? How can I trust a God who ignores so many of His children?”

Explain that Peter taught important truths that address Isabella’s concern. Invite students to work with a partner and study 1 Peter 3:18–22; 4:6, looking for truths that could help address Isabella’s concern.

Display the following study ideas to help students as they prepare a response for Isabella.

  • Look for one or two Restoration scriptures that bring added insight to the passages in 1 Peter. You could begin with Guide to the Scriptures, “Salvation for the Dead,” Gospel Library.

  • Read Topics and Questions, “Baptisms for the Dead,” Gospel Library.

  • Use the search tool in Gospel Library to find what modern prophets and apostles have said about 1 Peter 3:18–22; 4:6.

After giving students time to study, invite them to work with the same or another partner and take turns sharing the response they prepared for Isabella. As students teach each other, walk around the room to listen to and learn from their responses.

After students teach each other, take time to ensure that they see the connection between salvation for the dead and God’s love. Consider asking the following:

  • What do you learn about the character of Jesus Christ from His ministry to the spirit world? (Students may identify a truth like the following: Jesus Christ’s ministry to the spirit world demonstrates His love for us and His desire to offer salvation to all people.)

  • How does this truth influence your understanding of Jesus Christ?

  • How could you follow the Savior’s example and show your love and concern for those who have died without the gospel?

Consider sharing the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

President Russell M. Nelson

By doing for others what they cannot do for themselves, we emulate the pattern of the Savior, who wrought the Atonement to bless the lives of other people. (“Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings,” Ensign, May 2001, 34)

If there is time, invite students to open the FamilySearch website or the Family Tree app and search for ancestors who need ordinances. Encourage students to set a goal to attend the temple or to submit family names for temple ordinances.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

2 Peter 1:1–8

What is my divine nature and destiny?

You could display a picture of the Savior and ask students what they love most about Him. (They could list three to five things in their journals before sharing with the class.) Write students’ answers around the picture of the Savior. Then invite students to share why they love those attributes or characteristics of the Savior.

Explain that Peter referred to these attributes as “the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4) and expressed his desire for the Saints to obtain these same attributes. Explain to students that being “partakers of the divine nature” means taking on the character and attributes of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Invite students to study 2 Peter 1:1–8 and mark words or phrases that relate to “the divine nature.”

  • What do you learn from these verses about your potential? (Students may identify truths such as the following: With the Savior’s help, we can become like our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ.)

  • How do you feel knowing that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want you to become like Them?

  • Why can it be challenging to become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Invite students to select one attribute they would like to understand better and more fully incorporate into their lives. Give students time to study the attribute they selected. They could use one or more of the following resources:

Display the following questions and invite students to record their thoughts:

  • How would you describe this attribute to someone learning about it for the first time?

  • How did Jesus Christ exemplify this attribute?

  • What can you do to develop this attribute?

After students have had time to study their chosen attribute, you could have them share with a partner what they learned.

To help students understand what help they can receive through Jesus Christ, you could read together the following statement from Preach My Gospel:

Christlike attributes are gifts from God. Like all good things, these gifts come through “the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost” (Ether 12:41).

Focus on Christ as you seek to cultivate His attributes (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:36). These attributes are not items on a checklist. They are not techniques you develop in a self-improvement program. They are not earned only through personal determination. Rather, you can receive them as you strive to become a more devoted disciple of Jesus Christ.

Pray for God to bless you with these attributes. Humbly acknowledge your weakness and your need for His power in your life. As you do, He will “make weak things become strong unto [you]” (Ether 12:27). …

As you seek to become more like Christ, your desires, thoughts, and actions will change. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost, your very nature will be refined (see Mosiah 3:19). (Preach My Gospel [2023], 124)

  • Why is it essential to include Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in your efforts to become like Them?

  • What will you do to include Jesus Christ as you work to develop the attribute you chose? (Encourage students to record their thoughts and impressions.)

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Handout

Guiding Principles during Times of Trial and Suffering handout