Have you ever been asked why you believe in certain gospel truths? The Apostle Peter encouraged the Saints to always be ready to testify of truth and reminded them of their divine heritage (see 1 Peter 2:9; 3:15). This lesson can help you understand the importance of being a faithful example of Jesus Christ and provides opportunities to practice responding to others about your faith.
Helping students explain gospel truths. Latter-day Saints are asked to explain their beliefs throughout their lives. Plan opportunities for students to practice explaining gospel truths to each other in class. This can provide a safe setting for students to practice talking about the gospel.
Student preparation: Invite students to discuss with their family times when they or someone they know were asked to explain their beliefs and faith in Jesus Christ. Invite them to consider whether they would have answered differently and to come prepared to share their thoughts.
Possible Learning Activities
Words that describe followers of Jesus Christ
Consider beginning by discussing some of the following questions with students. Invite them to consider why the Lord expects His Saints to be different from other people.
Has anyone ever noticed that you do things differently because you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
What are your experiences with this?
How do you feel about being different from many other people in the world?
As you study today, ponder why and how the Lord wants His followers to stand out and be different.
A peculiar people
Read 1 Peter 2:9, looking for how Peter described the Saints in his time.
What stands out to you?
What do these words suggest about how Heavenly Father feels about you?
Today, the word peculiar often means “different” or “distinct.” Although the Lord desires His followers to be different from the world, in Peter’s day peculiar may have had a different meaning.
President Russell M. Nelson taught:
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Official portrait of President Russell M. Nelson taken January 2018
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term from which peculiar was translated is segullah, which means “valued property,” or “treasure.” In the New Testament, the Greek term from which peculiar was translated is peripoiesis, which means “possession,” or “an obtaining.”
Thus, we see that the scriptural term peculiar signifies “valued treasure,” “made” or “selected by God.” For us to be identified by servants of the Lord as his peculiar people is a compliment of the highest order.
How do you feel knowing that God sees you as a distinct and valued treasure?
Read 1 Peter 2:9–12, looking for insights into how you can be different from the world.
What did you find?
According to verse 12, how can we influence others?
One truth that we can identify from these verses is that God calls His Saints to be distinct from the world so others can see their example and glorify God.
Silently ponder the following statements and rate yourself from 1 to 5, with 5 meaning that you fully agree.
Others easily recognize me as a follower of Jesus Christ.
As a follower of the Savior, I am okay with being different from the rest of the world.
The following questions could be discussed as a class or among the students in small groups.
Why is it sometimes difficult to be different from those around you?
What are some things we can do to help us feel more comfortable being peculiar and distinct from the world?
What are some examples from your life or the scriptures that show how being different from the world helped others come closer to God?
If available, watch the video “Unto All the World: Despoina’s Story” (3:12) or “Something Different About Us: Example” (2:51), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, to see how a young person helped others come closer to Jesus Christ by being distinct from the world.
Always be ready
Peter wrote his epistle during a time of severe persecution and apostasy. It was difficult to be a Christian back then, just as it can be difficult to be a follower of Jesus Christ today. However, we can help others feel the joy of living the gospel when we are willing to share what we know and feel. Using the following two statements, assess your preparation to share your faith with others. Use the same scale of 1 to 5.
I want to share my faith in Jesus Christ and testimony with others.
I am confident in my ability to explain my faith and answer questions about the Savior’s gospel.
Read 1 Peter 3:14–15, looking for Peter’s counsel on sharing our faith with others.
Instead of asking the next question, consider inviting students to imagine what short message they would use if they were to create a meme or t-shirt based on the message of 1 Peter 3:14–15.
How would you summarize Peter’s teachings in your own words?
How do Jesus Christ and His gospel give you hope?
Consider inviting students to share experiences from the student preparation activity.
How can being ready and willing to talk about the Savior and His gospel bless others?
One effective way to “be ready always” (1 Peter 3:15) is simply to practice how you might respond to questions and observations about your behavior, beliefs, or the Church itself.
For the following activity, consider listing several of the following questions on the board or encourage students to think of other questions they might be asked. Students could be divided into pairs and invited to take turns responding to each other.
Consider sharing President Russell M. Nelson’s counsel about responding effectively to these kinds of questions, located in the “Commentary and Background Information” section, before asking the students to role-play.
Step 1: Choose at least two of the following questions that interest you or write questions you have been asked about your faith recently.
I have heard people say that “Jesus saves.” What does that mean?
Why is your Church against drinking coffee and tea?
Why do you get up early to go to a seminary class?
Why does Jesus Christ care what kind of language we use? What difference does it make?
Why should we keep the Sabbath Day holy? Isn’t Sunday just another day?
Step 2: Consider how you might respond to your chosen questions, then create a response for each. Include thoughts of how your faith and hope in Jesus Christ influences your response.
Step 3: Write why you feel it is important to stand out and speak up to others about your faith in Jesus Christ. If you feel uncertain, prayerfully consider how you might prepare yourself to do so.
After students have finished, invite a few volunteers to share thoughts they had during the activity. It may also be beneficial to invite some willing students to share their testimony of “the hope that is in [them]” (1 Peter 3:15) concerning Jesus Christ and His gospel. Conclude the lesson by testifying of the truths that have been discussed.
Commentary and Background Information
1 Peter 2:9. How do Peter’s teachings relate to members of the Church in our dispensation?
President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) shared how Peter’s teachings relate to Church members in our dispensation. Watch “A Chosen Generation,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 13:47–17:37.
Sister Becky Craven of the Young Women General Presidency taught:
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Sister Rebecca L. Craven, second counselor, Young Women general presidency. Official Portrait as of October 2018.
We do not lower our standards to fit in or to make someone else feel comfortable. We are disciples of Jesus Christ, and as such we are about elevating others, lifting them to a higher, holier place where they too can reap greater blessings. …
Can others easily see His image in our countenance and know who we represent by the way we carefully conduct our lives?
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.
How can I prepare and respond effectively when asked about my beliefs?
President Russell M. Nelson taught:
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Official portrait of President Russell M. Nelson taken January 2018
As followers of Jesus Christ, each of you can live in accord with His teachings. You can have “a pure heart and clean hands”; you can have “the image of God engraven upon your [countenance].” Your good works will be evident to others. The light of the Lord can beam from your eyes. With that radiance, you had better prepare for questions. The Apostle Peter so counseled, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).
Let your response be warm and joyful. And let your response be relevant to that individual. Remember, he or she is also a child of God, that very God who dearly wants that person to qualify for eternal life and return to Him one day. You may be the very one to open the door to his or her salvation and understanding of the doctrine of Christ.
What if I am embarrassed about standing up for my beliefs?
In the video “Dare to Stand Alone” (4:20), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) shares an account from his military training about having the courage to stand up for his beliefs, even when he felt alone.
Consider showing students some small rocks. Ask the students how the rocks relate to what Peter taught in 1 Peter 2:5–8. Invite them to identify who they think the “chief corner stone” is (see Ephesians 2:19–20) and different ways they can represent Him to the world as “lively stones” (1 Peter 2:5). Note that the word lively means to be spirited or energetic. Students could also be asked to discuss why it is important to build their lives upon the Savior as they seek to “be ready always” (1 Peter 3:15) to share the gospel with others.