SUNDAY SCHOOL Come Follow Me Interactive Activities – JULY (week 4) New Testament “The Word of God Grew and Multiplied” Come, Follow Me (Acts 10-15)

Some class members might have misconceptions about the process of receiving revelation. It may help them to discuss how revelation came to Peter and how they can move forward, “doubting nothing” (Acts 10:20), when revelation seems incomplete or unclear. Consider drawing a line on the board and writing at one end of the line The gospel is to be preached to the Gentiles. As a class, review Acts 10 and 11:1–18, and then add points on the line that show how the Lord revealed to Peter step by step that the time had come to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. For instance, you might start with a point labeled “Cornelius saw a vision” (Acts 10:1–6) or even start with the Savior’s command to His disciples to “teach all nations” in Matthew 28:19. What can we learn about revelation from Peter’s experience? What do Nephi’s teachings about revelation in 2 Nephi 28:30 and the teachings from Elder David A. Bednar in “Additional Resources” add to our understanding? SEE BELOW*

You might study instances in the scriptures in which the Lord taught people line upon line. In addition to Peter’s experience in Acts 10, class members could review the experiences of Nephi (1 Nephi 18:1–3); Alma (Alma 7:8; 16:20); and Mormon (3 Nephi 28:17, 36–40). What other examples can class members think of in which people received spiritual guidance “here a little and there a little”? (2 Nephi 28:30). Why might the Lord sometimes choose to reveal things in this way rather than giving us answers all at once? (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:40; 98:12).

Sometimes members have questions or concerns about changes in the policies and programs in the Church. It might help them to discuss how the revelation to begin preaching the gospel to the Gentiles (see Acts 10) replaced the Lord’s earlier instructions to His disciples (see Matthew 10:1, 5–6). You could show the video “The Jerusalem Conference” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How might class members respond to someone in Peter’s day who disagreed with Peter’s direction because it contradicted earlier practices? How can the revelation in Acts 10 help us heed the Lord’s continuing revelation through His prophet?

Would your class members benefit from a discussion about what it means to be “no respecter of persons”? You might start by inviting the class to read scriptures that teach that God is not a respecter of persons, such as Romans 2:1–11; 1 Nephi 17:34–40; 2 Nephi 26:32–33; Alma 5:33; Moroni 8:12; and Doctrine and Covenants 1:34–35. Ask class members to write possible definitions of “no respecter of persons,” based on what they read, and then share what they wrote. How do the events and principles in Acts 10:34–48 show that God is no respecter of persons? How can the righteous be “accepted” and “favored” by God even though He is not a respecter of persons? (see Acts 10:34–35; 1 Nephi 17:35).

You may need to help class members understand that being “no respecter of persons” does not mean that God blesses everyone equally regardless of our actions. He wants all of His children to accept His gospel, but the fulness of the blessings of the gospel are reserved for those who make and keep covenants with Him.