5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Doctrine and Covenants 30-36

The topics for this week are the roles of Christ, fear of mankind, missions, scriptures, and covenants.

You can find the full Come, Follow Me lesson here. Unless you opt to spend a lot of time on a particular quote, try to pick around 2 questions per quote. Choose the questions that resonate the most with you and make a meaningful discussion for your group of personalities.

All blue quotes from the Doctrine and Covenants (unless otherwise noted).

Lesson Prep

• If you want the discussion to be more meaningful, hand out reading assignments ahead of time and ask the reader to answer one question about them (pick one of the questions below and give it to them, along with the assigned quote). The sooner you do this, the better, but if possible, at least show it to them before the Sacrament meeting. You can also text or email it.
• Ask various people to read and participate—especially those who aren’t asked as much.

Lesson Delivery

You can arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you. I suggest starting with the most important ones and working your way down. Don’t worry about covering all the quotes.

• Ensure every class member has a set of scriptures in front of them or on their phone. Always invite the class to read along—hearing and seeing the words together increases comprehension and engagement.
• Avoid videos – they shut down discussion. Save them for personal study.
• If the discussion gets too non-spiritual, pull it back by going to the next quote or question.
• Make sure you assign others to read the quotes. You’re talking enough already, and letting others read allows more people to participate.
• Encourage discussion by accepting all reasonable answers. Validate people for participating, and be thankful they spoke up. Engage with the answer in a conversational way whenever it feels natural. Never say, “That’s not the right answer,” or “We haven’t got to that part of the lesson yet.”
• Remember, spiritual discussion is golden. We want people to talk about the gospel together.
• If a lesson takes a different turn than you planned, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.

Quote #1 (fear men)

Possible Intro: Say something like, “Even though this message is originally to David Whitmer, the same eternal principles apply to all of us.” Invite your class to substitute their own name in place of David as they read this scripture reference and imagine the Lord is talking directly to them.

1 Behold, I say unto you, David, that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought.

2 But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded. (Doctrine and Covenants 30:1-2)

Possible Activity: Share this list of questions and ask your class to pick one that especially stood out to them today.

• 1) Other people’s opinions of me influence my choices and actions more than they should.
• 2) Scrolling on social media puts my mind on the things of earth more than Christ.
• 3) Time spent on my phone keeps me from my truer purpose.
• 4) I need to pay more attention to the Spirit and the guidance of the prophets and apostles.
• 5) I’m swayed and influenced by those who do not consult Jesus Christ nor are commanded by Him.

Possible discussion questions: What does it mean to “fear men?” (Accept and validate all reasonable answers. This means caring about their opinions and letting them guide your actions.) What did you discover about yourself when you substituted your own name? What resonated with you? What are some of the important messages for us in this verse?

Quote #2 (mission)

Possible engagement tool: Have your class imagine this is their mission call. How would you feel if the Lord said these words to you as He sent you on a mission?

3 Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.

4 You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned.

5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live. (Doctrine and Covenants 31:3-5)

Possible Activity: Have 1 or 2 returned missionaries share their mission experience for 3-5 minutes each. (Ask for one experience each.)

Possible discussion questions: Who wants to go on a mission? Why do you want to go? How would you feel if the Lord spoke to you like He did David? What has Joseph Smith revealed that is important to share with the world? What is one of your favorite things about the gospel?

Quote #3 (lamps)

Possible Intro: Say something like, “In the following verses, the Lord tells us why the scriptures are important. See what stands out for you as we read them.”

16 And the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things.

17 Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom— (Doctrine and Covenants 33:16-17)

Possible discussion questions: What is “the coming of the Bridegroom”? (Second Coming) How will scriptures help us be more ready for the Second Coming? What happens to our prayers and spiritual lives when we read scriptures faithfully and daily? What are the holy scriptures that the Lord has given us to read? (Book of Mormon, Old Testament, New Testament, Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants) Which ones have you read cover to cover?

Quote #4 (roles)

Possible engagement tool: Introduce the verse with something like, “These short verses contain a lot of information about Jesus Christ. As we read these two verses together, see what stands out for you.”

1 Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever.

2 I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one. (Doctrine and Covenants 35:1-2)

Possible activity: List the different roles and descriptions of Christ—the list does not have to be worded the same or include all the descriptions.

• Alpha and Omega*
• The beginning and the end
• His course is one eternal round
• Same today, as yesterday, and forever
• Son of God
• Crucified for the sins of the world
• If you believe on His name, you may become the sons of God
• You may become one in Him
• He is one with the Father

Possible discussion question: Which of these phrases stands out to you today? Why did you pick that one? What does that role tell you, or what does it mean to you? If you were to explain one of these phrases to a friend in your own words, what would you say?

*Alpha and Omega

The title “Alpha and Omega” for Jesus Christ appears several times in the Bible and the Doctrine and Covenants. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega is the last, meaning Jesus is the start and the finish of everything. He was there at the beginning of creation and will be there at the end of time. It shows He’s eternal, powerful, and in charge of all things, making Him the most important figure in the universe next to God the Father.

Quote #5 (shake)

Possible intro: Say something like, “The Lord promises great blessings to those who strive to follow Him.”

24 Keep all the commandments and covenants by which ye are bound; and I will cause the heavens to shake for your good, and Satan shall tremble and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish; (Doctrine and Covenants 35:24)

Possible discussion questions: Name some commandments we should keep? What covenants do we make and keep? (Baptism, Sacrament) What covenants will we make in the future? (Temple endowments). Which temple is your favorite and why? What blessing is the Lord promising us if we keep His commandments and covenants?

Summary

Summarize class discussion highlights and/or share your testimony and feelings about the lesson. Thank your class for their excellent contributions and insights.

Final Comment

As you study and teach, you can help others find more truths in the scriptures. Thank you for bringing powerful Doctrine and Covenant teachings into other people’s lives.

If you would like some tips on how to feel more confident while teaching, try “9 Tips for More Class Participation.” Please arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you.