5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Doctrine and Covenants 37 – 40

This week’s topics are the majestic attributes of Christ, esteem our brother, warn our neighbor, and the sorrow of sin.

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 the discussion takes a different turn than your planned lesson, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.

Quote #1 (jesus christ)

Possible Intro: Help your class members understand the significance of these verses. “This revelation was given when the Church was less than a year old. Jesus Christ reveals information about Himself through Joseph Smith to brand-new members and converts. Pay attention to what the Savior wanted them to know and see what stands out to you as we read together.”

Note: Can be divided between two or more readers.

1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;

2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes;

3 I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me.

4 I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them. (Doctrine and Covenants 38:1-4)

Possible discussion question: Who else is this message for? (everyone, us)

Possible Activity: List everything Jesus said about who He was, including his titles. Note: It’s okay if they don’t name all of them or word them the same.

• He is the Lord, our God
• Great I Am
• Alpha and Omega*
• Looked upon the vast expanse of eternity
• Saw all the seraphic* hosts of heaven
• Knoweth all things
• All things present before His eyes
• Created the earth by the power of His word
• All things came through Jesus Christ
• Took Enoch’s Zion* to his bosom
• Pleads to the Father for those who believe in His name

Possible discussion questions: Which attribute stands out to you and why? What does Alpha and Omega mean? What is a “seraphic host”? (see description below) If you were to describe Jesus Christ to a friend, how would you describe Him? Did you know Enoch’s Zion will return and be the New Jerusalem during the Second Coming? (Moses 7:62-64)

*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.

*Seraphic Hosts of Heaven

The term “seraphic” connects to “seraphim,” a class of angels rooted in biblical and theological traditions, notably from Isaiah 6, where they’re depicted as fiery, winged beings surrounding God’s throne, embodying purity and devotion. They’re not just messengers but exalted servants, radiating holiness and power.

Enoch and New Jerusalem

62 And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;

64 And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest. (Moses 7:62-64)

Quote #2 (close by)

Possible engagement tool: Throughout the Doctrine and Covenants, we find out that the Savior is personable and merciful. Each of the following verses contains a personal message from Jesus Christ.

Note: Divide among three readers.

7 But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me; (Doctrine and Covenants 38:7)

—AND—

32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you. (Doctrine and Covenants 6:32)

—AND—

63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63)

Possible discussion questions: Did you notice a repeating pattern between these three verses? Based on those verses alone, how would you describe the Savior? What are some ways we can draw near to the Savior? (Accept all reasonable answers: service, sing hymns, study His life and teachings, express gratitude for Him, strive to live His teachings and commandments, share the good news about Him to others)

Possible activity: Ask, “How can we draw near to the Savior”? Write their answers on the board – accept all reasonable answers.

More possible questions: What is your favorite story from Christ’s life? What do you admire about Jesus?

Quote #3 (esteem)

Possible Intro: The Lord repeats a commandment twice to His Saints. Listen for what He repeats.

24 And let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practice virtue and holiness before me.

25 And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself. (Doctrine and Covenants 38:24-25))

Possible discussion questions: What did Jesus say twice? Why do you think He emphasized that? (Accept all reasonable answers – because it is hard for most people to do consistently.) What does it mean to esteem your brother as yourself? (Accept all reasonable answers – it means their welfare, well-being, and opportunities are just as valuable as yours. That you want to make their life good, just like you want to make your own life good.) What are some ways we can do this better?

esteem: implies holding someone in high regard, valuing them, or treating them with respect and dignity.

Quote #4 (where)

Possible engagement tool: The following verses offer some advice concerning our relationships with other people.

41 And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.

42 And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so. Amen. (Doctrine and Covenants 38:41-42)

Possible discussion question: If we have a spiritual warning or important message for our neighbor, should we shout it at them or demand they believe we’re right?

“Brothers and sisters, we can literally change the world—one person and one interaction at a time. How? By modeling how to manage honest differences of opinion with mutual respect and dignified dialogue.” (President Nelson, Peacekeepers Needed – April 2023)

More possible questions: What does it mean to you to “go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves.” How strong are society’s influences to do wrong things? In what ways can you avoid being among wickedness? What happens if we stay around wicked influences for a long or even a short time? (They wear us down, and we eventually sin and it’s hard to get away from that.) What are some ways we can be clean before God?

Quote #5 (sin = sorrow)

Possible intro: The Lord is speaking to James Covel, who really likes the Church but then rejects it—He speaks to each of us with the same problems.

Note: Should be divided between two readers.

9 Nevertheless, thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride and the cares of the world. (Doctrine and Covenants 39:9)

WHY?

29 For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them. (Mosiah 7:29)

Possible discussion questions: What would happen if there were no consequences for sin? How would that help us? What would happen to us if we never repented of our sins or improved our lives? (Accept all reasonable answers – we would fall short of eternal life with God and miss out on a great existence.)

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.