After being beaten, Peter and John continue to preach in Christ’s name to the people.
You might remember learning about the faith and diligence of the Apostle Peter as you studied the first half of the New Testament. The first epistle of Peter was written toward the end of Peter’s life, many years after he walked and talked with Jesus Christ during the Savior’s mortal ministry. In his first epistle, Peter, who was the chief Apostle, focused on ways the Saints could be strengthened through the intense trials they were experiencing at the hands of the Romans. This lesson can help you better understand God’s purposes in allowing you to experience trials and can strengthen your resolve to endure trials faithfully.
Addressing students’ unique learning needs. Consider the different learning needs of students. Use the possible learning activities suggested in this lesson as a guide, not a script, and adapt the activities to help students. Adaptations might include using different methods to read scripture verses or doing different activities to understand principles or doctrine. Don’t be afraid to be creative and try new approaches.
Student preparation: Invite students to consider how they would respond to the following question: Why do we experience trials, hardships, and unfairness in life?
Possible Learning Activities
Why do we experience difficulties in life?
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained how all of us will have experiences that seem unfair. Watch the video “Infuriating Unfairness,” located at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 3:19 to 4:12, or read the following statement:
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Official portrait of Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, January 2016.
Some unfairness cannot be explained; inexplicable unfairness is infuriating. Unfairness comes from living with bodies that are imperfect, injured, or diseased. Mortal life is inherently unfair. Some people are born in affluence; others are not. Some have loving parents; others do not. Some live many years; others, few. And on and on and on. Some individuals make injurious mistakes even when they are trying to do good. Some choose not to alleviate unfairness when they could. Distressingly, some individuals use their God-given agency to hurt others when they never should.
Why do you think Elder Renlund used the word “infuriating” to describe some of the unfair things that we experience in life?
Who do you know who is experiencing or has experienced a trial that feels infuriatingly unfair? Why do you think the Lord allows this to happen?
In AD 64, large portions of the city of Rome were destroyed by fire. Prominent Romans accused Church members of starting the fire, which led to intense persecution of Christians throughout the Roman Empire. Peter likely wrote his first epistle sometime after this event to strengthen the faith of the Saints and to remind them of their eternal reward for enduring trials faithfully. As you study, pay attention to the promptings of the Holy Ghost that can help you understand some of the reasons for your own trials and how you can rely on Jesus Christ to help you faithfully endure them.
The refiner’s fire
Read 1 Peter 1:3–9, looking for what the Apostle Peter taught about the blessings that await those who faithfully endure their trials. The word temptations in verse 6 refers to trials and afflictions (see 1 Peter 1:6, footnote b).
What words or phrases from these verses do you think could be helpful to remember when you or others experience trials? Why?
Why do you think Peter compared the Saints’ trial of faith to gold that is refined by fire?
Consider showing students an image or a drawing of a crucible, like the following one.
The following is an image of a crucible. A crucible is a container in which metals such as gold are refined. When metals are refined, they are heated and melted to remove impurities and improve the final product.
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Illustration of a crucible with molten metal pouring into a mold
In what ways might tried, or tested, faith be “more precious than … gold”? (1 Peter 1:7).
One truth that can be identified from the verses you just studied is that as we faithfully endure trials, our faith in Jesus Christ is refined and strengthened. Consider recording this truth in your scriptures or study journal.
What is it about experiencing difficult trials that can strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ?
Consider reading Alma 62:41 together as a class before sharing the following explanation and question.
While experiencing adversity can be spiritually refining for many people, there are others who become bitter or who harden their hearts after a difficult trial (see Alma 62:41).
What do you think can help us turn our trials into blessings rather than experiences that diminish our faith?
What experiences have you had, or what experiences do you know of, when your faith or another’s faith was strengthened by faithfully enduring difficult trials?
What do these experiences teach you about the Lord?
Watch the video “The Refiner’s Fire” (5:02), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, to see one example of an individual who was strengthened by the Savior as she faithfully endured her trials.
Peter counsels the Saints
A theme found throughout the first epistle of Peter is how disciples of Jesus Christ can faithfully endure suffering and persecution. Peter’s counsel can provide hope, encouragement, and strength to anyone experiencing a trial of mortality.
Draw a simple picture of a crucible, like the one you saw earlier in the lesson. Inside the crucible, list some of the trials and afflictions you have experienced or are currently experiencing.
As you study more of Peter’s words, look for teachings that can help you with the trials you listed in your picture. Record these teachings on the outside of your picture of a crucible.
Consider listing the following scripture references and their summaries on the board. Determine the best way for the students to study these verses. One option would be to divide the class into groups, with each group being assigned one set of verses to study. After enough time, students could then report what they learned from their study to the rest of the class. The students could then be invited to add insights to their drawing based on what was presented by their classmates.
Another option to consider is to invite students to study each set of verses with a partner. After students finish studying and discussing the verses with their partner, the students could be assigned to rotate so that each student has a new partner. This process could be repeated so each student could study the three sets of verses with a different partner.
1 Peter 5:6–11—Receiving the Lord’s strength to endure our trials
After students have had sufficient time to study, invite volunteers to share their insights. Consider inviting the students to share specific verses they found most meaningful and to explain why. Encourage them to think about how what they learned today could help them in their current situation and to record their insights and impressions in their study journals.
Commentary and Background Information
1 Peter 2:20 . Why did Peter teach that we should suffer our trials patiently?
Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following:
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Last official portrait of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, 1992.
Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient we are suggesting that we know what is best—better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. … Thus, as already indicated, patience is a vital mortal virtue in relation to our faith, our free agency, our attitude toward life, our humility, and our suffering. … There is simply no other way for true growth to occur.
(Neal A. Maxwell, “Patience” [Brigham Young University devotional, Nov. 27, 1979], 1, 4, speeches.byu.edu)
How can I overcome the trials I am facing?
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following:
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Official portrait of Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2010, August.
In the crucible of earthly trials, patiently move forward, and the Savior’s healing power will bring you light, understanding, peace, and hope. Pray with all your heart. Strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, in His reality, in His grace. … Look forward. Your troubles and sorrows are very real, but they will not last forever. Your dark night will pass, because the Son … [did rise] with healing in his wings.
(Neil L. Andersen, “Wounded,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 85)
How can I find happiness while suffering through trials?
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about finding happiness during adversity and remembering his mother’s advice to say, “Come what may, and love it.”
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Last official portrait of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2004. Died December 1, 2008.
How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can’t—at least not in the moment. I don’t think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don’t think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life. If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness. …
As we look for humor, seek for the eternal perspective, understand the principle of compensation, and draw near to our Heavenly Father, we can endure hardship and trial. We can say, as did my mother, “Come what may, and love it.”
Consider reading 1 Peter 5:1–5 with students, and point out that in these verses Peter taught the elders of the Church about their responsibilities as leaders in the kingdom of God. Help students identify the following truth: Church leaders have the responsibility to care for and watch over God’s flock in love and by example. Students could be invited to discuss examples of how their leaders have ministered to them and their families with love. Consider also helping students understand that they can be examples to their quorum and class members by following the example of “the chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4).