Doctrinal Mastery: Ephesians 1:10
The Restoration of All Things
In your study of Ephesians 1, you learned about the doctrine of the Restoration. This lesson will give you the opportunity to increase your mastery of the teachings in Ephesians 1:10 by memorizing the reference and key scripture phrase, explaining the doctrine, and applying principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in a real-life situation.
Remembering the purpose of doctrinal mastery. President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that doctrinal mastery “will focus on building and strengthening our students’ faith in Jesus Christ and fortifying them with increased ability to live and apply the gospel in their lives. Drawing on the scriptures and the words of the prophets, they will learn how to act with faith in Christ to acquire spiritual knowledge and understanding of His gospel. And they will have opportunities to learn how to apply the doctrine of Christ and gospel principles to the questions and challenges they hear and see every day among their peers and on social media” (M. Russell Ballard, “The Opportunities and Responsibilities of CES Teachers in the 21st Century” [Address to CES Religious Educators, Feb. 26, 2016], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Student preparation: Invite students to come to class prepared to share at least two truths they feel everyone needs to know and understand about the Restoration.
Possible Learning Activities
This doctrinal mastery passage lesson is designed to be taught after the lesson “Ephesians 1,” which is the contextual lesson for the doctrinal mastery passage Ephesians 1:10. If this doctrinal mastery lesson needs to be moved to a different week, be sure to teach the corresponding contextual lesson during that week as well.
Explain and memorize
Imagine that several classmates were absent on the day your seminary class studied the doctrine of the Restoration in Ephesians 1. Your seminary teacher asks you to take a few minutes to summarize the most important teachings that you feel all students need to know and remember about the doctrine of the Restoration and the teachings from Ephesians 1:10.
To respond, students may draw upon what they did for the student preparation for this lesson. Listen carefully to students’ responses, and evaluate their understanding. If necessary, review scriptures and principles from the previous lesson.
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Which important truths about the Restoration of the gospel would you share? Why?
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How would you explain the teachings found in Ephesians 1:10 in your own words?
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How could understanding the Restoration influence someone’s understanding of and feelings towards Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
Provide an opportunity for students to memorize the reference for the doctrinal mastery passage Ephesians 1:10 and its accompanying key scripture phrase. The following is one example of how to do this.
In your study journal or on your digital device, record the key scripture phrase and reference for the doctrinal mastery passage Ephesians 1:10 by dividing it into four parts as shown below:
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In the dispensation of the fulness of times
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He might gather together in one
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All things in Christ
Cover up lines 2–4, and repeat line 1 in your mind until you memorize it. Move to the second line, and repeat the process. Do the same for lines 3 and 4. When you feel confident that you have memorized all four lines, write them all in your study journal without looking. Repeat the process if necessary until you can write the entire key scripture phrase and reference from memory.
The previous activity could be adapted by displaying the four divided sections and assigning different groups of students to each section. Then point to one group, and have the students in that group repeat their segment aloud. Repeat this for all groups. Point to the different groups several times to help students practice saying and hearing these phrases. Then have the class practice repeating the whole phrase and reference together. Do this as many times as it takes for students to memorize this doctrinal mastery passage and its key scripture phrase.
Practice application
Consider reviewing paragraphs 5–12 in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2022). Choose one of the three principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge, and create an icon or simple visual representation to remind you of this principle and its concept. For example, for the principle “examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective,” you might consider making a visual like the following:
To ensure sufficient time for the following practice application, consider giving students a time limit of two to four minutes to create a simple visual representation of one of the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge. When students have finished, invite a few to share their visuals and explain how what they created represents the principle they chose.
Read the following scenario to help you practice applying the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge and the doctrine taught in Ephesians 1:10 that during the dispensation of the fulness of times, all things will be gathered together in Christ. Then use this scenario, or create one of your own, to answer the questions that follow.
A friend of yours was baptized with her family and felt confident at the time that she was following the example of Jesus Christ by joining His Church. But in the past year since her baptism, she has often been tempted by other friends to break the commandments. She is beginning to wonder if this is really Christ’s Church and if it’s worth it to stay faithful to the gospel.
While there are several truths that could help your friend, consider how the doctrines of the Restoration and the dispensation of the fulness of times might strengthen and encourage her.
Instead of asking students to respond to all of the following questions at once, consider adding variety to help students have a memorable experience. For example, students could be invited to work in pairs or small groups to discuss the questions. They could also do a role play of the scenario using their answers to some of the following questions. As another option, pairs or small groups could be assigned just one of the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to respond to and then present their thoughts to the class.
Act in faith
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What steps might you encourage your friend to take so that she acts in faith?
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How might acting in faith help your friend with her questions and concerns?
Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective
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What do you know about the Savior’s teachings about the Restoration?
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How might maintaining an eternal perspective help both you and your friend in this situation?
Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources
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How might the truths found in Ephesians 1:10 help in this situation?
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If you had additional time before responding to your friend, what might you review or study? What sources could you invite your friend to study on her own? Why?
After students have had time to ponder and respond to the questions above, consider inviting them to share what scenario they used and to discuss their responses.
Doctrinal mastery review
To help students review the doctrinal mastery passage and key scripture phrase for Ephesians 1:10 in a future lesson, consider using the same four-part recitation activity introduced at the beginning of this lesson.