5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Mosiah 4 – 6

This is your chance to make a significant impact with the Sacrament and help teach what unkind feelings towards others do to our souls.

Lesson Notes

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 Book of Mormon (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.

• Make sure you assign others to read the quotes. You’re talking enough already. 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, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.
• If the discussion gets too non-spiritual, pull it back by going to the following quote or question.
• Avoid videos – they shut down discussion. Save them for personal study.

Quote #1 (repentance)

We discuss the steps of repentance frequently – but how does genuine repentance feel?

And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them. (Mosiah 4:3)

Possible discussion questions: What does the Spirit of the Lord feel like? (Accept all reasonable answers – it fills one with joy, peace, confidence, and a sense of well-being.) What does it feel like when you receive a remission of your sins? (Accept all reasonable answers – it feels like a substantial weight has been lifted off you. Like your soul has been swept clean. You feel joy.) Why does great, active, intentional faith in Jesus Christ, who should come (2nd Coming), bring peace to our soul? (Accept all reasonable answers – because those feelings of peace are a gift of the Spirit from Jesus Christ.)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Possible discussion question: How valuable is peace, confidence, and a sense of well-being in today’s world?

Deepen the Understanding

Possible Teaching Moment: Ask your class to consider the question, “In what ways can we show exceeding faith in Jesus Christ like the people of King Benjamin and enjoy this peace?” while reading the following quote.

As we make covenants in holiness before God and commit to follow the Savior, we receive the power to change our hearts, renew our spirits, and deepen our relationship with Him. Such an endeavor brings sanctification to our souls and forms a sacred bond with God and Jesus Christ, who promise that we can inherit the gift of eternal life. The result of this sacred journey is that we obtain a holier and higher confidence for our day-to-day lives within our covenants made through Jesus Christ. (Elder Soares, Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ – April 2024)

Let’s pull the points from Elder Soares’s quote:

Our Actions

• make holy covenants
• commit to the Savior

Our Blessings

• power to change our heart
• renew our spirits
• deepen our relationship with the Savior
• brings sanctification
• forms a sacred bond with God and Jesus Christ
• obtain a higher confidence

We can make covenants before we get our temple endowments!

Possible discussion question: What covenants can we make before we go to the temple for our endowments?

Answer: Weekly Sacrament and Baptism

Most of us have been baptized – let’s talk about covenants we can make each week.

The ordinance of the sacrament also points to the Savior. The bread and water are symbolic of Christ’s flesh and blood shed for us. The gift of His Atonement is symbolically offered to us each week when a priesthood holder, representing the Savior Himself, offers us the bread and water. As we eat and drink the emblems of His flesh and blood, Christ symbolically becomes a part of us. We again put on Christ as we make a new covenant each week. (Sister J. Anette Dennis, Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ – April 2024)

Possible activity: Pull out the covenants of the Sacrament.

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this water to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Sacrament Covenants

• Remember Jesus Christ’s body/life that was sacrificed for us. (The Power of the Ressurection)
• Willing to take on the name of Jesus Christ and be identified as His disciple.
• Always remember Jesus.
• Keep Jesus Christ’s commandments/teachings.
• Remember Jesus Christ’s blood that was shed in the Garden of Gethsemane. (His Atonement and the Power of Redemption)
• God’s covenant with us is that we will have the Spirit of Christ with us, which is a powerful force.

Possible discussion question: What can we think about during the Sacrament? (Accept all reasonable answers: 1. Jesus Christ, 2. His sacrifices for us, 3. We can take inventory of the spots, blemishes, and sins we need to clean up; 4. Apologize and repent, 5. Make promises to do better in the coming week; either stop doing something or start doing something.)

For a powerful lesson about the Sacrament with more impact, please see “The Dynamic Power Released During the Sacrament.“

How soon can we go to the temple for our endowments?

The General Handbook states that having a mission call or being engaged to be married to make temple covenants is not required. A person must be at least 18 years old, no longer be attending high school or the equivalent, and be a member of the Church for at least one year. (Sister J. Anette Dennis, Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ – April 2024)

Quote #2 (watch)

30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not. (Mosiah 4:30)

watch yourself: have a care, keep your eyes open, practice self-restraint, be discerning, be cautious

Possible discussion questions: When King Benjamin tells you to watch yourself, what does that mean to you? Why do thoughts matter? (Accept all reasonable answers – then read the verse.)

We also know from the temple that if we want the Spirit of the Lord to be unrestrained in our lives, we simply cannot and must not have unkind feelings toward anyone. Giving place in our hearts or minds for unkind feelings or thoughts will produce unkind words and actions, whether on social media or in our homes, causing the Spirit of the Lord to withdraw from our hearts. Therefore, please cast not away your confidence, but rather, let your confidence wax strong. (Elder Soares, Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ – April 2024)

Possible discussion questions: Why do words matter? (Accept all reasonable answers – then read the verse.)

11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (Jesus Christ – Matthew 15:11, 18-19)

Possible discussion question: What is the fastest way to have better words and actions? (Accept all reasonable answers – PRAY FOR HELP; work on your heart, your thoughts, and your attitude and mindset. Pray for more help every day.)

attitude: frame of mind, way of thinking, mental state, point of view, overriding sentiment

mindset: perspective, philosophy, temperament

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. (Moroni 7:46-48)

Quote #3 (begotten)

Possible engagement tool: Explain that sometimes the scriptures refer to Jesus Christ as the “Father.” This is in reference to the roles He plays in our lives. For example, the Redeemer is called the Eternal Father of heaven and earth because he created them. (Alma 11:38-39, ” 38 Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father? 39 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth…)

Have your class contemplate how Jesus is the ‘Father’ in the following verse:

And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters. (Mosiah 5:7)

Possible discussion questions: Why is Jesus Christ called the “Father” in this verse? (Accept all reasonable answers – because He is the Father of our changed, enlightened hearts and our spiritual lives.)

Quote #4 (heart)

Possible engagement tool: Tell your class that the ancient Hebrews and others considered the heart to be the center of understanding and conscious intellect (“the heart knows”). Invite them to listen for how the word ‘heart’ is used in the following verses.

12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.

13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart? (Mosiah 5:12-13)

Possible discussion question: King Benjamin gave his people the name of Christ to write on their hearts. How meaningful is a close relationship with the Savior? Can we have a close relationship with Jesus Christ if we do not serve Him or our fellow men? What are the thoughts and intents of Jesus Christ’s heart, and how do you come close to them? (Accept all reasonable answers and then read one of the following references or both.)

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35)

2nd Reference

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)

Possible discussion question: Is there any other way to follow Christ and get close to the thoughts and intents of the Savior’s heart?

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 Book of Mormon 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.