5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Alma 23 -29

This lesson touches on the depth of conversion, apostasy, joy, and understanding the mysteries of God.

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 (depth)

Alma describes how deeply the once-wicked Lamanites were converted to the gospel.

Note: the following verses can be divided between 2 readers.

6 And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away. (Alma 23:6)

27 And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end. (Alma 27:27)

zeal: determination, devotion, warmth, spirit

Possible engagement tool: Write zeal and its definition on the board.

Possible discussion questions: Can you think of an example of having zeal towards God? What does having zeal towards men look like? (accept all reasonable answers – ready to give service, fellowshipping, thoughtfulness) What does the word “faith” mean? Is it just belief?

“There is, however, a level of faith that not only governs our behavior but also empowers us to change what is and to make things happen that otherwise would not happen. I am speaking of faith not only as a principle of action but also as a principle of power.” (Elder D. Todd Christofferson)

Possible discussion questions: What kinds of actions and habits make us firm in the faith?

Quote #2 (apostasy)

Some people were hard-hearted and immune to the Spirit and miracles that the sons of Mosiah brought with them. Alma noticed a repeating pattern with those who rejected the gospel, even though they once lived it.

30 And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things. (Alma 24:30)

Christ taught that the depth of our conversion matters in a parable about accepting the gospel to his disciples. Listen carefully and decide which seed you would like to be:

Note: These verses can be divided between 2-3 readers.

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:3-9)

Deepen the Understanding

The prophet Brigham Young explained how the parable applies to our faith today:

Note: this quote can be divided between 2 readers.

Will there still be apostasy? Yes, brethren and sisters, you may expect that people will come into the Church, and then apostatize. You may expect that some people will run well for a season, and then fall out by the way. For example, take the parable of the sower that went out to sow, “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.”

“When the seed falls into good ground it takes root, and brings forth fruit; such individuals will be faithful to the end. The seed that falls by the way side, for want of root cannot endure the scorching sun of persecution. Those who are represented by the seed among thorns cannot endure because of the cares of the world and the pride of life. The influence and power of the world, and of the adversary, surrounding such individuals, they are by and by turned away, and cease to be Saints, cease to serve the Lord, and turn every one to his own way.” (Brigham Young – JD 2:250b)

Possible discussion questions: Perhaps we need to strengthen our testimonies. How can we do that?

Quote #3 (joy)

Alma shares the path to joy.

17 Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth.
18 Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness. (Alma 27:17-28)

Possible activity: Discuss the meanings of two pivotal words from these verses. Have someone read the definition for penitent.

penitent: “Penitent is an uncommon word and refers to a person who repents of sin. Interestingly, it does NOT mean a perfect person or one who has no sin to repent of. Rather, it describes someone who reforms as they progress. “Penitent” is kind of like a conscientious, ongoing resolve to do better. Truly penitent means improvement becomes a trait etched in one’s character.” (Divine Code – July 2020)

Write humble on the board and some of its equivalent words.

humble: modest, unselfish, self-aware, respectful, unpretentious, gracious, undemanding, grateful

Possible discussion questions: How can we seek happiness in humble ways? (accept all reasonable answers – the sons of Mosiah were full of service to others; count blessings; be grateful)

Quote #4 (know)

Possible engagement tool: Mention that God’s formulas for success are simple, plain, and precious. Listen for the formula Ammon mentions in this verse.

Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. (Alma 26:22)

Possible discussion questions: What are the steps Ammon mentioned? (Accept all reasonable answers – repentance, faith, good works, much prayer) What would happen to our spirituality and understanding if we did those four things daily?

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.