5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
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Helaman 1-6
Helaman, son of Helaman has powerful truths for us to ponder, especially about Jesus Christ.
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 (jesus)
Possible engagement tool: Have the class members consider “How valuable is our testimony of Jesus Christ?” as you read the following verses.
27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.
28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. (Helaman 3:27-28)
Possible discussion questions: How do you feel about Jesus Christ, and why is he important to you? What is one of your favorite stories about Jesus?
Quote #2 (study)
“The Standard Works are capable of transferring godly power to you – the reader. Many verses are effectively written to channel the Spirit straight to your soul.
“They are Divine Code.
“The biggest discovery in the scriptures is yourself. I’m convinced the Word of God is intentionally arranged to spiral each one of us upwards — on a progressive journey to a phenomenal, empowered version of ourselves.” ~Shawnie Cannon

Possible intro: Have your class think about one of their favorite experiences reading the scriptures as you read the following verse together.
29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—
30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out. (Helaman 3:29-30)
Possible activity: Ask 2-3 class members ahead of time (give them a week if possible) to pick out a favorite verse from the scriptures and share with the class both the scripture and what it means to them.
Possible discussion questions: Does anyone [else] have a favorite verse or experience with the scriptures they would like to share? Why are the scriptures important to you? How do you feel when you read the scriptures regularly? Why did God give us scriptures?
Quote #3 (member)
Is it possible to be an active church member and still be untrue to Christ or not live the gospel during the week?
Possible intro: The Book of Mormon repeatedly documents corruption among ancient church members that led to great affliction. Invite your class to listen to what they did.
Note: These verses can be divided between 2-3 readers.
11 Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God.
12 And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites— (Helaman 4:11-12)
23 And because of their iniquity the church had begun to dwindle; and they began to disbelieve in the spirit of prophecy and in the spirit of revelation; and the judgments of God did stare them in the face. (Helaman 4;23)
Possible discussion question: What are some of the behaviors Helaman warns about? Why did Mormon include these stories in his abridgment? Are these verses written for our time as well? How can we keep our testimony bright and strong?
Quote #4 (from)
Possible engagement tool: Write the words “in” and “from” on the board. Or have them printed in large font ahead of time. Tell your class to listen for a vital clarification Helaman makes between the words “in” and “from” at the end of the following verses.
9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.
10 And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. (Helaman 5:9-10)
“in their sins” means they don’t stop sinning and don’t repent.
“from their sins” means they stop sinning and are strengthened to repent and live better.
Joseph Smith put it simply: “Jesus designs to save the people out of their sins. Said Jesus, “Ye shall do the work, which ye see me do.” (TPJS 239)
Doing what we see Jesus do helps us leave our sins behind and replace them with better living and habits.
Possible discussion questions: What is the important distinction Helaman makes between “in” and “from”? (Read the last sentence again if necessary.) Most Christians believe Jesus will save them in their sins; what are we taught? How important is “the atoning blood of Jesus Christ”? Do we believe we can be exalted without repentance? (No.)
Quote #5 (rock)
Know who the “Rock” is and what role He offers to play in our daily lives. He invites us to enjoy a personal closeness if we accept Him and seek Him. Helaman 5:12 is one of my most revered verses in the Book of Mormon. This gem helps us focus on what matters.
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. (Helaman 5:12)
Possible activity: Focus on three keywords and what they mean. Write these on the board or print them ahead of time in a large, readable font.
foundation: groundwork, infrastructure, or support.
shaft: a bolt of lightning, can also mean arrow or spear
rock (as a foundation): anchor, mainstay, defense, protection, strength
Possible discussion questions: In what ways can we build our daily life on the Savior? How do you bring Jesus Christ into your life? Why is “Rock” repeatedly used as a symbol for Christ? Can trials and hard times be like “shafts in the whirlwind”? Is it possible to be at peace even when life is very hard? Who brings peace? (Christ)
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.
Your efforts and insights are so appreciated. Thank you for all you do!