Youth – 5 CFM Ideas for Jan 8-14 2024

by | Dec 25, 2023

men looking at brass plates

5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list CFM Lessons

Often, we find ourselves on an unexpected journey. Journeys teach and grow us more than if we had stayed put.

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 it (Pick one of the questions below and give it to them, along with the assigned quote.) The sooner you do this, the better, but at least give it to them before Sacrament meeting if possible. You can text it or email it, too.
  • Ask various people to read and participate – especially those who aren’t asked as much.

Lesson Delivery

Put the quotes in any order that makes sense to you. I would start with the ones you feel are most important and work 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 (chosen)

Lehi was tasked with speaking up to crowds of people doing wrong. That took so much courage.

Possible invitation to engage: Ask the class to think about a difficult situation where they had to speak up about something no one wanted to hear.

Note: This quote can be split up into two smaller quotes.

19 And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.

20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. (1 Nephi 1:19-20)

Possible discussion questions: Can the truth make us unpopular? Is it sometimes scary to speak up when you know people don’t want to hear goodness or truth? What is a tender mercy?

tender mercy: the gentle and heartfelt actions of God or a higher power in response to the needs or suffering of individuals. The concept emphasizes that moments of grace and relief can bring comfort and hope even in difficult times.

Additional Questions: Can you recall a tender mercy in your life? According to Nephi, how is one “chosen” by God? (accept all reasonable answers – because of their faithful living) When Nephi refers to faith, does he mean a belief or actions/lifestyle?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)

Quote #2 (brothers)

The Come, Follow Me manual makes an excellent observation about Nephi’s family experience:

“Rarely in scripture is there such a detailed account of a family trying to live the gospel: parents struggling to inspire faith in their family and worrying about their safety, children deciding if they will believe their parents, and brothers dealing with jealousy and contention—and sometimes forgiving each other. Overall, there is power in this imperfect family’s examples of faith.” (Come, Follow Me manual, 1 Nephi 1-5)

Note: This quote can be split up into two smaller quotes.

Possible invitation to engage: Lehi had four sons who all responded differently to their father Lehi’s vision, spiritual teachings, and prophecies. Two were rebellious, one was proactive and found his own testimony, and one was believing and at peace. Ask the class to notice the difference between the four brothers and which one they can relate to the most.

16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers. (1 Nephi 2:16)

17 And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words. (1 Nephi 2:17)

Possible discussion questions: Which brother sounds most like you? Have you ever needed your heart softened? If all four brothers are from the same family and hear the same teachings from their parents, how could Laman and Lemuel not know “the dealings of that God who had created them” (accept all reasonable answers – they didn’t read study it out on their own and pray and ask). What can you do this coming year to help you know “the dealings of God”? (accept all reasonable answers – study the scriptures and conference talks, pray, and talk to faithful people who have the Spirit.)

Quote #3 (confidence)

This next verse is one you’ve probably heard many times. But let’s add verse 8:

Possible discussion questions: How did Lehi know that Nephi’s grit, determination, strength, and confidence came from the Lord? (accept any reasonable answer – because that’s one of the effects of the Spirit – a feeling of well-being and confidence.)

Quote #4 (call 911)

Deeper Insights into Nephi Killing Laban

Nephi didn’t break any commandments.

After watching some people do spiritual gymnastics over this (like my younger self), here is a clarifying perspective.

Short lesson.

Laban robbed them and tried to kill Nephi and his brothers, but they ran too fast. Nonetheless, Laban’s servants were still hunting them to murder them. They hid outside the city wall.

You couldn’t call 911 in that day. Jewish society didn’t have a sheriff or a jail. They were under Old Testament law. Precise remedies were prescribed for someone who 1) robbed you while attempting to murder you and 2) had an active murder contract out on you and your family members.

Ironically, Laban recites that law back to Laman when Laman makes the first attempt to get the plates.

13 And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust him out from his presence; and he would not that he should have the records. Wherefore, he said unto him: Behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee. (1 Nephi 3:13)

Even though Laban’s accusation is false, he’s citing a lawful justification to kill Laman.

Your tribe and family had specific Mosaic commandments to carry out the law and justice yourself. There was no other system for handling criminal acts, and Laban was a full-out corrupt felon.

When the Spirit talks Nephi through that episode with drunken Laban on the ground – all of the promptings are rehearsals of OT tribal law. The Spirit is prompting Nephi on his obligations for his family’s sake.

Nephi recites OT law to himself that requires a remedy from him:

“Yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord, and he also had taken away our property.” (1 Nephi 4:11)

The Mosaic remedy was execution, and Nephi was obligated to exercise lawful recourse for his family’s sake and the sake of the Jewish societal system.

Nephi’s hesitation wasn’t due to breaking a commandment because he wasn’t. His hesitation was his heart and the difficulty of the task. The Spirit reminds Nephi of the practicality of the task, to act now rather than stalling to secure the brass plates, which they more than paid for with their great riches.

I hope this helps some of you as you reread this story.

Quote #5 (two)

Possible engagement tool: Tell your class that as a prophet, Lehi had two important habits in his life. See if you can pick them out.

Possible discussion questions: What two habits did Lehi have? (accept all reasonable answers – steer them towards gratitude and devoted scripture study). How do you feel when you have gratitude? What is that like?

Additional questions: If Lehi was a prophet, why would he need to study scriptures? How will you study your scriptures this coming week? What is the reason the Lord gives to study scriptures? (See D&C 33:16-17)

Doctrine and Covenants 33:16-17

Book of Mormon verse
Study the scriptures every day.

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 liken the scriptures to themselves. 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 put the quotes in any order that makes sense to you.

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