蕭昶欣/英文/CFM/7月15-21日
1Read Acts 10–15 carefully, allowing time for the Spirit to prompt you with thoughts and feelings.
2What is there for you to learn in these chapters?
3During His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ’s teachings often challenged people’s long-held traditions and beliefs; this didn’t stop after He ascended into heaven—after all, He continued to guide His Church by revelation.
4For example, during Jesus’s life His disciples preached the gospel only to fellow Jews.
5But soon after the Savior died and Peter became the prophet of the Church, Jesus Christ revealed to Peter that the time was right for the gospel to be preached to non-Jews.
6The idea of sharing the gospel with Gentiles doesn’t seem surprising today, so what’s the lesson in this account for us?
7Perhaps one lesson is that changes in policy and practice—in both the ancient and modern Church—come by revelation from the Lord to His chosen leaders (Amos 3:7; D&C 1:38).
8Continuing revelation is an essential characteristic of the true and living Church of Jesus Christ.
9Like Peter, we must be willing to accept continuing revelation and live “by every word of God” (Luke 4:4), including “all that [He] has revealed, all that He does now reveal” and the “many great and important things” He will yet reveal “pertaining to the Kingdom of God” (Articles of Faith 1:9).
10For generations, the Jews had believed that being of “the seed of Abraham,” or a literal descendant of Abraham, meant that a person was accepted (chosen) by God (see Luke 3:8).
11Anyone else was considered an “unclean” Gentile who was not accepted by God.
12In Acts 10, what did the Lord teach Peter about who “is accepted with him”? (Acts 10:35).
13What evidence do you find in this chapter that Cornelius was living a righteous life that was acceptable to the Lord?
14Why is it important to know that “God is no respecter of persons” (verse 34), meaning that all people can receive the blessings of gospel if they live the gospel? (see 1 Nephi 17:35).
15Like the Jews who looked down on those who were not of the seed of Abraham, do you ever catch yourself making unkind or uninformed assumptions about someone who is different from you?
16How can you overcome this tendency?
17It might be interesting to try a simple activity for the next few days: Whenever you interact with someone, try to think to yourself, “This person is a child of God.”
18As you do this, what changes do you notice in the way you think about and interact with others?
19See also D. Todd Christofferson, “Abide in My Love,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 48–51; 1 Samuel 16:7; “Peter’s Revelation to Take the Gospel to the Gentiles” (video, LDS.org).
20When Peter saw the vision described in Acts 10, he struggled at first to understand it and “doubted in himself what [it] should mean” (verse 17).
21Yet the Lord gave Peter greater understanding as Peter sought it.
22As you read Acts 10, 11, and 15, notice how Peter’s understanding of his vision deepened over time.
23How have you sought and received greater understanding from God when you had questions?
24Acts 10, 11, and 15 recount instances in which the Lord directed His servants through revelation.
25It might help to record what you find regarding revelation as you read these chapters.
26How does the Spirit speak to you?
27See also “Revelation,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org; Ronald A. Rasband, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 93–96; “The Jerusalem Conference” (video, LDS.org).
28What is significant about a person being called a Christian? (see Acts 11:26).
29What does it mean to you to be known as a Christian or to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ? (see D&C 20:77).
30Consider the significance of names.
31For instance, what does your family name mean to you?
32Why is the name of the Church today important? (see D&C 115:4).
33See also Mosiah 5:7–15; Alma 46:13–15; 3 Nephi 27:3–8; M. Russell Ballard, “The Importance of a Name,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 79–82.
34As 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.
35Here are some suggestions:
36Have we ever had spiritual experiences and later doubted what we felt or learned?
37What advice can we give each other that might help us overcome our doubts?
38(See Ronald A. Rasband, “Lest Thou Forget,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 113–15.)
39When Peter was cast into prison, members of the Church gathered together and prayed for him.
40Is there someone your family feels inspired to pray for, such as a Church leader or loved one?
41What does it mean to pray “without ceasing”? (Acts 12:5).
42Peter Delivered from Prison, by A. L. Noakes
43As you read this chapter together, some family members could make note of blessings that came to the disciples and the Church, while other family members could note opposition or trials disciples experienced.
44Why does God allow difficult things to happen to righteous people?
45These verses describe a disagreement in the Church regarding whether gentile (non-Jewish) converts should be required to be circumcised as a sign of their covenant.
46The disagreement was resolved after the Apostles met together to consider the subject and then received an inspired answer.
47This may be a good time to teach your family that the same pattern applies today.
48As a family, pick a question about the gospel that you want to find the answer to together.
49Look together for insights in the scriptures and in the teachings of modern prophets and apostles.
50(The Topical Guide and the topic index in the conference issue of Church magazines might help.)
51For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
52Draw a picture.
53Pictures can help family members visualize scriptural teachings and stories.
54You might read a few verses and then allow time for family members to draw something that relates to what you have read.
55For instance, family members might enjoy drawing pictures of Peter’s vision in Acts 10.
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