蕭昶欣/英文/CFM/7月22-28日
1As you read about Paul’s efforts to preach the gospel, the Spirit may prompt you with thoughts or feelings.
2Write these promptings down, and make plans to act on them.
3Among the Lord’s final words to His Apostles was the commandment, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).
4While the Apostles didn’t quite make it to all nations, Acts 16–21 does show that Paul and his companions did make remarkable progress in establishing the Church.
5They taught, baptized, and conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost.
6They performed miracles, even raising a man from the dead, and foretold the Great Apostasy (Acts 20:7–12; 20:28–31).
7And the work they started continues with living Apostles today, along with devoted disciples like you, who are helping fulfill the Savior’s commission in ways Paul never could have imagined.
8Perhaps you are aware of people who do not know their Heavenly Father or His gospel.
9Perhaps you have felt that your “spirit was stirred in [you]” to share with them what you know about Him (Acts 17:16).
10If you follow Paul’s example of humility and boldness in sharing the gospel, you may find someone “whose heart the Lord [has] opened” (Acts 16:14).
11Everyone needs the gospel of Jesus Christ, but some people are more prepared than others to receive it.
12This is one reason we need the Holy Ghost when we share the gospel—to guide us to those who are ready.
13As you read Acts 16–21, note instances in which the Spirit guided Paul and his companions.
14What blessings came because they followed the Spirit?
15When have you felt the Spirit prompting you in your efforts to share the gospel?
16See also Alma 7:17–20; Dallin H. Oaks, “Sharing the Restored Gospel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 57–60; Preach My Gospel, 92–93.
17Being thrown in prison for preaching the gospel might seem like an understandable reason to stop preaching.
18But to Paul and Silas, it became an opportunity to convert a jailor (see Acts 16:16–34).
19Throughout Acts 16–21, look for other examples of Paul’s willingness to share his witness with everyone.
20Why do you think he was so bold and fearless?
21What do you learn from Paul’s example?
22There are many more messages about sharing the gospel in chapters 16–21.
23If you look carefully, you can find some that are especially applicable to you.
24Try reading these chapters with this goal in mind.
25What do you find?
26In Athens, Paul found a people of diverse opinions and religious views.
27They were always seeking “to hear some new thing,” and what Paul had to offer was definitely new to them (see Acts 17:19–21).
28They worshipped many gods, including one they called “the unknown God” (Acts 17:23), but they believed that the gods were powers or forces, not living, personable beings, and certainly not our Father.
29Read what Paul said to help them come to know God, and note the characteristics of God that you find.
30What does it mean to you to be the “offspring of God”? (Acts 17:29).
31In your opinion, how is being a child of God different from being just one of His creations?
32If you had stood beside Paul as he was testifying, what would you have told the ancient Greeks about our Heavenly Father?
33Do you know someone who could benefit from hearing your testimony?
34Worth of a Soul, by Liz Lemon Swindle
35See also Romans 8:16; 1 John 5:2; “We Are the Offspring of God” (video, LDS.org).
36As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family.
37Here are some suggestions:
38To help your family visualize what is happening in these chapters, it could be fun, as you read together, to mark the cities that Paul visited on a map (see the map at the end of this outline).
39How can we be more like the Saints in these scriptures?
40How does studying the scriptures daily make us more “noble”? (Acts 17:11).
41What can we do to be “mighty in the scriptures”? (Acts 18:24).
42These teachings from the Prophet Joseph Smith might help your family discuss Acts 19:1–7: “Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost. …
43‘To be born of water and of the Spirit’ meant to be immersed in water for the remission of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost thereafter.
44This was given by the laying on of the hands of one having authority given him of God” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 95).
45What blessings have come to us from receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost?
46What inspired the people in these verses to burn their books worth “fifty thousand pieces of silver”? (Acts 19:19).
47Are there worldly possessions or activities we need to give up in order to receive heavenly blessings?
48When has your family experienced Christ’s teaching that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”? (Acts 20:35).
49Is there someone who could benefit from service, time, or gifts that your family could give?
50As a family, discuss some ideas and make a plan to serve someone.
51How do we feel when we serve others?
52Why is it more blessed to give than to receive?
53For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
54Record impressions.
55When impressions or insights come, record them.
56For example, you could record your thoughts in the margins of your scriptures, in the Gospel Library app, or in a study journal.
57“When you record spiritual impressions, you show the Lord that you value His direction, and He will bless you with more frequent revelation” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 12; see also 30).
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