Acts 22–28

You could begin by sharing the following experience by President Bonnie H. Cordon, former Young Women General President:

In 2011, while I was serving with my husband as mission leaders in beautiful Curitiba, Brazil, my phone rang during a meeting. Rushing to silence it, I noticed the call was from my father. I quickly left the meeting to answer: “Hi, Dad!”

Unexpectedly, his voice was filled with emotion: “Hi, Bonnie. I need to tell you something. I’ve been diagnosed with ALS.”

My mind swirled with confusion, “Wait! What is ALS?”

Dad was already explaining, “My mind will stay alert while my body slowly shuts down.”

I felt my whole world shift as I began to wrestle with the implications of this grievous news. But on that unforgettable day, it was his last sentence that found a permanent place in my heart. My dear father said with urgency, “Bonnie, never give up an opportunity to testify of Christ.” (“Never Give Up an Opportunity to Testify of Christ,” Liahona, Apr. 2023, 10)

• Did you hear or read a testimony of Christ recently? If so, how did it affect you?

Point out that in Acts 22–26, Paul gave several speeches defending himself before religious and civil authorities. In each instance he also took the opportunity to testify of the Savior.

Display the following passages. Students could form small groups. Assign each group one of the passages. Invite students to look for what they can learn about sharing testimony from Paul’s experience.

1. Acts 21:40; 22:1–8, 12–16, 22–23

2. Acts 22:30; 23:1–6, 11–14

3. Acts 24:1–6, 9–16, 24–25

4. Acts 26:1–3, 12–29

After sufficient time for group study and discussion, ask students to share what they learned from Paul about bearing testimony. Help students identify a truth like the following: Disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand as witnesses of Him at all times and in all places. (You could read together Mosiah 18:9.)

• In what circumstances or situations can it be challenging to be a witness of the Savior?

• What has helped you be more willing to testify of Jesus Christ?

• How has your faith been influenced as you have heard other people bear testimony of Jesus Christ?

You could conclude by sharing the following invitation from Sister Cordon:

My father has been gone for over 11 years now, but his words are alive in me. “Bonnie, never give up an opportunity to testify of Christ.” I invite you to join me in accepting his invitation. Look for Christ everywhere—I promise He is there! True joy rests on our willingness to come closer to Christ and witness for ourselves. (“Never Give Up an Opportunity to Testify of Christ,” Liahona, Apr. 2023, 12)

Invite students to accept Sister Cordon’s invitation by seeking and praying for an opportunity to testify of Christ before the next class. Remind students that sharing a testimony of the Savior need not be grand or formal. Most often, it will occur in small and simple ways. Students could ask a partner to remind them during the week to fulfill Sister Cordon’s invitation.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Consider writing on the board the following statement by Sister Sheri L. Dew, former Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency: “Prophets help us see around corners” (“Prophets Can See around Corners” [Brigham Young University–Hawaii devotional, Nov. 2, 2022], speeches.byuh.edu).

• What might this statement mean? (You could read Mosiah 8:16–18 to provide a doctrinal foundation for Sister Dew’s statement. You could then revise the statement on the board as follows: As seers, the Lord’s prophets and apostles can help us prepare for future events so we can live with added safety and protection.)

Explain that Paul was a prisoner as he traveled toward Rome by sea during winter months. As students read Acts 27:7–44, invite them to look for how the Apostle Paul’s gift of seership allowed him to “see around corners” during this voyage. (Note: You could point students to “Acts 27:9. What is the ‘fast’ referred to here?”and “Acts 27:14. What is a ‘Euroclydon’?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament for additional context.)

After students have had time to read the passage, invite them to share what they learned about Paul’s gift of seership. If helpful, you could ask questions like the following:

• What were the consequences for ignoring Paul’s counsel (see verses 10–20)?

• What effect did Paul’s words have on the ship’s passengers? (see verses 21–36)?

• What do you learn about the gift of seership from this account?

You could show pictures of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and testify they have been called by Jesus Christ to lead His Church as prophets, seers, and revelators.

• Why is it so important that we have seers in our day?

• What are some examples of how we are blessed by living prophets, seers, and revelators? (You could have students search recent general conference talks or messages to young adults for examples.)

• How can following prophets, seers, and revelators draw you closer to Jesus Christ? How does heeding their words show your trust in the Savior?

Consider sharing the following statement from Sister Dew:

Prophets see things we cannot see because the Lord does “nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” [Amos 3:7].

This is why prophets make us smarter than any other leaders or influencers on earth. Prophets help us see dangers we cannot yet see and opportunities we can’t even imagine. …

My dear friends, to whom do you listen? Where does the living prophet rank in the list of those you turn to for advice? How many blind guides, whose myopic vision of life is no better than yours, are you following on podcasts and TikTok? Don’t let blind guides obscure your vision of seers, who see around corners. …

… Your greatest spiritual safety will come by following the prophet. (“Prophets Can See around Corners” [Brigham Young University–Hawaii devotional, Nov. 2, 2022], speeches.byuh.edu)

Provide students time to ponder Sister Dew’s statement. Encourage them to record what they can do to ensure they are following the counsel of the Lord’s living prophets, seers, and revelators. Students could also share how they have experienced added safety and protection by following the Lord’s living seers.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”