Repentance Repentance

““I am sorry” is not always easy to sayI am sorry” is not always easy to sayWhen I know I’ve been thoughtless When I know I’ve been thoughtless and done something wrong.and done something wrong.I’ll try to repent, to do better, to prayI’ll try to repent, to do better, to prayThat Heavenly Father will help me be That Heavenly Father will help me be strong.strong.

Words:Words: Sylvia Knight Lloyd, b. 1933. © 1974 IRI, Sylvia Knight Lloyd, b. 1933. © 1974 IRI, Music:Music: Robert P. Robert P. Manookin, 1918–1997. © 1974 IRIManookin, 1918–1997. © 1974 IRI

What happens What happens when water when water boils? boils?

What happens What happens when water when water freezes? freezes?

When water When water changes to ice or changes to ice or steam, we say steam, we say that it has been that it has been “converted.” “converted.”

It is different It is different from the original from the original water.water.

How are people converted How are people converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ? to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

How do their lives change How do their lives change when they are converted?when they are converted?

This lesson is about one This lesson is about one man’s miraculous conversion man’s miraculous conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ.to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

““Lesson 42: The Conversion of Saul,” Lesson 42: The Conversion of Saul,” Primary 7: New Testament, Primary 7: New Testament, 147 & “Saul 147 & “Saul Learns about Jesus,” Learns about Jesus,” New Testament Scripture StoriesNew Testament Scripture Stories, Chapter 59, 154-155, Chapter 59, 154-155

Saul had watched Saul had watched the people kill the people kill Stephen. Stephen.

One day Saul was One day Saul was walking to the city walking to the city of Damascus with of Damascus with some friends. some friends.

He wanted to put He wanted to put some of Christ’s some of Christ’s disciples in prison.disciples in prison.

Suddenly a Suddenly a bright light bright light from heaven from heaven surrounded surrounded him and he fell him and he fell to the ground. to the ground.

Then Saul heard the voice of Jesus Then Saul heard the voice of Jesus asking him why he was trying to asking him why he was trying to hurt the Saints. hurt the Saints.

Saul was afraid. Saul was afraid.

Saul asked Saul asked Jesus what he Jesus what he should do. should do.

The Savior said Saul should go to The Savior said Saul should go to Damascus. Damascus.

There Saul would be told what he There Saul would be told what he needed to do.needed to do.

Saul opened his Saul opened his eyes, but he could eyes, but he could not see. He was not see. He was blind. blind.

His friends took His friends took him to Damascus.him to Damascus.

While Saul was in Damascus he While Saul was in Damascus he fasted and prayed for three days.fasted and prayed for three days.

A disciple of Jesus Christ named A disciple of Jesus Christ named Ananias lived in Damascus. Ananias lived in Damascus.

In a vision, Jesus In a vision, Jesus told Ananias to told Ananias to go to Saul.go to Saul.

Ananias had the Ananias had the priesthood. priesthood.

Ananias was afraid. He had heard Ananias was afraid. He had heard about Saul and how he had been about Saul and how he had been putting Jesus’ disciples in prison.putting Jesus’ disciples in prison.

However, Ananias was obedient However, Ananias was obedient to the Lord.to the Lord.

Ananias went to the home Saul Ananias went to the home Saul had been staying at.had been staying at.

Ananias called him “Brother Ananias called him “Brother Saul” and told Saul he had been Saul” and told Saul he had been sent by the Lord.sent by the Lord.

He put his hands He put his hands on Saul’s head on Saul’s head and blessed him and blessed him that Saul’s sight that Saul’s sight would come back. would come back.

After being healed, Saul was After being healed, Saul was baptized and received the gift of baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. the Holy Ghost.

He became He became known as Paul. known as Paul. He was called to He was called to be an Apostle. be an Apostle.

Paul became a missionary for Paul became a missionary for the Church. He preached the the Church. He preached the gospel in many lands.gospel in many lands.

He wrote many He wrote many letters to letters to Christ’s Christ’s disciples. Many disciples. Many of these letters of these letters are in the New are in the New Testament.Testament.

How did Saul How did Saul persecute the persecute the members of the members of the Church? Church?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 7:57–60; ; 8:1–3; ; 9:1–2

How might the members of the How might the members of the Church have felt about Saul? Church have felt about Saul?

How would you feel if someone How would you feel if someone persecuted you for your beliefs? persecuted you for your beliefs?

How should we respond when How should we respond when someone does this? someone does this?

Has someone made fun of you Has someone made fun of you or been unkind to you because or been unkind to you because of your beliefs?of your beliefs?

What happened on the road to What happened on the road to Damascus that helped Saul Damascus that helped Saul realize he needed to repent of realize he needed to repent of his sins? his sins?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:3–6

Who did Saul Who did Saul speak with in speak with in this vision? this vision?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:5

How do Heavenly Father and How do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ help us know when Jesus Christ help us know when we need to repent? we need to repent?

What does it mean What does it mean to “kick against the to “kick against the pricks”? pricks”?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:5

A prick was a A prick was a sharp spear sharp spear people used people used on animals to on animals to make them make them move. move.

Often the animals would kick Often the animals would kick back when pricked, which made back when pricked, which made the spear hurt them even more. the spear hurt them even more.

Jesus Christ was telling Saul Jesus Christ was telling Saul that his actions were harming that his actions were harming himself more than anyone else. himself more than anyone else.

When we fight When we fight againstagainst what is what is right, we hurt ourselves the right, we hurt ourselves the most.most.

How could someone be hurt How could someone be hurt by fighting against the truth? by fighting against the truth?

What did Saul do to repent and What did Saul do to repent and turn to Jesus Christ? turn to Jesus Christ?

He recognized his sins (He recognized his sins (Acts 9:6).).He fasted and prayed for He fasted and prayed for

forgiveness (forgiveness (Acts 9:9, 11).).He was baptized (He was baptized (Acts 9:18).).He tried to correct the things he He tried to correct the things he

had done wrong (had done wrong (Acts 9:20).).He changed and never persecuted He changed and never persecuted

people again.people again.

Saul was not wicked in his heart; Saul was not wicked in his heart; he was deceived. He needed to he was deceived. He needed to repent and be baptized.repent and be baptized.

What do we What do we need to do to need to do to repent of our repent of our sins? sins?

Why is it important Why is it important to repent when we to repent when we

do something do something wrong?wrong?

How does How does repentance repentance

make us feel?make us feel?

The Ananias in this lesson is The Ananias in this lesson is different from the one who was different from the one who was struck dead for dishonesty.struck dead for dishonesty.

What did the What did the Lord ask Ananias Lord ask Ananias to do? to do? Why? Why?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:10–12

Why was Ananias afraid to do Why was Ananias afraid to do what the Lord asked? what the Lord asked?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:13–14Why did the Why did the

Lord call Saul a Lord call Saul a “chosen vessel”? “chosen vessel”?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:15–16

What important things did What important things did Heavenly Father want Saul to do?Heavenly Father want Saul to do?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 26:18What important What important

things might things might Heavenly Father Heavenly Father want you to do?want you to do?

How can you How can you learn of these learn of these things?things?

How did How did Saul lose his Saul lose his eyesight? eyesight?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:8 & & 22:11

What happened when Ananias What happened when Ananias blessed Saul? blessed Saul?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:17–18

After Saul’s conversion, why After Saul’s conversion, why would neither the people nor the would neither the people nor the disciples believe him when he disciples believe him when he preached? preached?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:21, 26Why did Saul Why did Saul

have to leave have to leave the country? the country?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:23, 29–30

What does Heavenly Father do What does Heavenly Father do when we repent of our sins? when we repent of our sins?

Let’s read Let’s read D&C 58:42

How can we How can we help others help others who are trying who are trying to repent and to repent and follow Jesus?follow Jesus?

What was Saul’s testimony of What was Saul’s testimony of Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 9:20 & & 26:22–23How do we know How do we know

when we are when we are truly converted truly converted to the gospel of to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ?

Let’s read Let’s read Mosiah 5:2

President Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth President Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth President of the Church, said this: President of the Church, said this:

““When we have undergone this When we have undergone this mighty change, which is brought mighty change, which is brought about only through faith in Jesus about only through faith in Jesus Christ and through the [working] of Christ and through the [working] of the Spirit upon us, it is as though we the Spirit upon us, it is as though we have become a new person. have become a new person.

“… “… You have forsaken lives of sin … You have forsaken lives of sin … and have become clean. You have no and have become clean. You have no more [desire] to return to your old more [desire] to return to your old ways. You are in reality a new person” ways. You are in reality a new person” ((The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson,The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 470). p. 470).

Enr. Act. 1

As I point to each As I point to each item on the list, item on the list, silently ask yourself, silently ask yourself, “Do I need to repent “Do I need to repent of this?” of this?”

Review the steps Review the steps that Saul took to that Saul took to repent.repent. Enr. Act. 1

Let’s review and memorize the Let’s review and memorize the Fourth Article of Faith:Fourth Article of Faith:

We believe that the first We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; the remission of sins; fourth, fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.the Holy Ghost. Enr. Act. 3

We have a special We have a special guest today who will guest today who will tell us about how tell us about how someone’s life can someone’s life can be changed as he or be changed as he or she came to believe she came to believe in Christ, repented, in Christ, repented, and was baptized. and was baptized.

Enr. Act. 4

????

I need a volunteer!I need a volunteer!Please draw a picture Please draw a picture

of a forked road on of a forked road on the chalkboard. the chalkboard.

Enr. Act. 5

I need another volunteer!I need another volunteer!Please write the name of a city Please write the name of a city

you would like to visit at the you would like to visit at the top of one road.top of one road.

Y

What would you What would you do if you took a do if you took a wrong turn and wrong turn and found yourself on found yourself on the wrong road?the wrong road?

Enr. Act. 5

Could you get to the city from Could you get to the city from where you are?where you are?

What would you have to do now What would you have to do now to get to the city you wanted to to get to the city you wanted to go to?go to?

Y

How is How is repentance like repentance like getting back on getting back on the right road?the right road?

Enr. Act. 5

I bear testimony of how I bear testimony of how important repentance is in important repentance is in our lives and how important our lives and how important it is to be truly converted to it is to be truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love the gospel and have I love the gospel and have enjoyed learning more enjoyed learning more while being your teacher!while being your teacher!

The lesson is from lds.org. The scripture The lesson is from lds.org. The scripture stories are from lds.org and paraphrased stories are from lds.org and paraphrased from various articles on lds.org and from from various articles on lds.org and from the scriptures.the scriptures.

Images and clipart are from lds.org, Images and clipart are from lds.org, Microsoft Office, and other websites Microsoft Office, and other websites indicating the images were in the public indicating the images were in the public domain or permitted for church and home domain or permitted for church and home use. use.

Please do not use this presentation for Please do not use this presentation for commercial use. Feel free to alter the commercial use. Feel free to alter the presentation for use in church or home to presentation for use in church or home to suit personal preference.suit personal preference.

This presentation is intended to This presentation is intended to supplement, not replace, the lesson supplement, not replace, the lesson manual and scriptures. Teachers should manual and scriptures. Teachers should refer to the manual, scriptures and other refer to the manual, scriptures and other resources when preparing and conducting resources when preparing and conducting the lesson.the lesson.

From Bible Dictionary: Paul. The life and work of the great apostle Paul is recorded at considerable

length in the Acts and the epistles. It is only possible to indicate here a few of the chief facts. He was known in early life as Saul; his Latin name Paul is first mentioned at the beginning of his gentile ministry (Acts 13:9). He belonged to Tarsus, in Cilicia (Acts 9:11); was a Pharisee and a pupil of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3); was active in the persecution of Christians (Acts 8:3; 26:10; Gal. 1:13; Philip. 3:6); and took part in the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:58; 8:1). He started for Damascus for the purpose of further persecution (Acts 9:1) and on the road saw a vision of the Lord Jesus, which changed the whole current of his life (Acts 9:4–19; 22:7; 26:14; Gal. 1:15–16). After his baptism by Ananias (Acts 9:18), he retired into Arabia (Gal. 1:17), and then returned to Damascus, where he preached (Acts 9:19–25; 2 Cor. 11:32; Gal. 1:17–18). Being compelled to flee, about three years after his conversion he went to Jerusalem, where he stayed 15 days, Barnabas introducing him to Peter and James (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18–19). Being in danger, he retired to Tarsus (Acts 9:29–30) and there remained six or seven years, preaching in Syria and Cilicia (Gal. 1:21–24). He was then brought by Barnabas to Antioch (Acts 11:26), and after one year paid a visit to Jerusalem (Acts 11:29–30). After two more years’ work in Antioch, he started with Barnabas and Mark on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:1–14:26). Then came another visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas to attend a conference with the other apostles (Acts 15:1–33; Gal. 2:1–10), after which they returned to Antioch (Acts 15:35). He then started on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:36–18:22), which lasted about three years, and ended with a visit to Jerusalem. After a short stay in Antioch, Paul began his third journey, which occupied about 3½ years (Acts 18:23–21:15). On his return to Jerusalem he was arrested and sent to Caesarea (Acts 21:17–23:35), where he remained a prisoner for two years (Acts 24:1–26:32), and was then sent for trial to Rome, suffering shipwreck on the way (Acts 27:1–28:10). He remained in Rome two years (Acts 28:30) and was then released. He then appears to have visited Asia, Macedonia, Crete, and perhaps Spain. At the end of about four years he was again taken a prisoner to Rome, and suffered martyrdom, probably in the spring of A.D. 65. For an account of his teaching, see Pauline Epistles.