5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
Alma 32 – 35
These are some of the best “prayer” chapters in the Book of Mormon. Elder Holland emphasized prayer at the last General Conference as his main comeback message, so this lesson fits in perfectly.
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 (angels)
Possible engagement tool: Ask your class to think about this question as we read the following verse, “do you believe in angels, and do you think that they can be a part of your life? (Let people make comments if they want at this time.)
And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned. (Alma 32:23)
Possible discussion question: Repeat the first question above if no one has answered it yet. Are angels important to the Restored Gospel? By a show of hands, have you ever heard someone say something spiritually profound that touched your heart? What happened?
Deepen the Understanding
Sister Wendy Nelson (President Nelson’s wife) shared something important she learned about angels that she didn’t know until she was 64 years old.
Note: this quote can be divided among 2-3 readers.
It was during Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s April 2010 general conference talk that I first learned
this truth. He said, “Ask for angels to help you.” He said it with such clarity, and yet in a manner
that implied this was something we all knew. But for me it was an entirely new principle. I
wanted to call out, “Wait! Wait! What? You mean I could have been asking for angels to help
me all this time?”
Without intending to sound too dramatic, I can say with all candor that Elder Holland’s six
words changed my life. “Ask for angels to help you.” That counsel changed my prayers, changed
my understanding of the very real help from heaven that is always available to us as we keep our
covenants.
I started to ask for assistance from those on the other side of the veil from that moment on. Now
I’m not talking about praying for fantasy angels with wings to magically fairy-dust our problems
away. I’m not talking about praying to angels. I’m talking about praying to your Heavenly
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for those on the other side to be “dispatched” (Elder
Holland’s word) to assist you. (Wendy Nelson, BYU Women’s Conference 2015)
Possible discussion questions: What impressed you about Sister Nelson’s story? Could you pray for angels to help you more? Why do prayers matter?
Quote #2 (turn it around)
Have you noticed that gospel light, music, words, and ideas have a definite effect on us?
Have you ever had a bad day or even a bad week and gone to Church in a somber mood? After singing hymns and listening to good talks, did you notice that your heart and/or soul felt lighter and less burdened?
Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. (Alma 32:28)
We can turn our disappointing days around anytime we want—we don’t need to wait for Church.
Possible activity: Assign people in your class ahead of time to share a musical number, a favorite verse or scripture story, etc., that does their heart good and maybe share how it feels to them and why/how it is a “good seed”?
Possible discussion question: What are some “good seeds” for you – what does your heart good? (gospel music, favorite verses, gospel topics or teachings, apostle stories, etc)
Quote #3 (worship)
In Webster’s 1828 dictionary, prayer is defined as a part of worship.
”Chiefly and eminently, the act of paying divine honors to the Supreme Being; or the reverence and homage paid to him in religious exercises, consisting in adoration, confession, prayer, thanksgiving and the like.
“The worship of God is an eminent part of religion.
“Prayer is a chief part of religious worship.”
Possible engagement tool: Listen for how Alma teaches the same principle in Alma 33:3
Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?
Possible activity: Make sure each member of the class has a list of the following prayer verses from Alma 33 to look at. Either as individuals or in small groups, ask them to find examples of (1) adoration of God, (2) confession or sharing of personal inner experiences/feelings, and (3) thanksgiving.
4 For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.
5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.
6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.
7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.
8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them.
9 Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.
10 Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction.
11 And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son
Possible discussion questions: What kinds of things can we pray about? How personal can we be with Heavenly Father? Does he want to hear us talk about very personal experiences and feelings? Where can we pray? Does personally praying out loud help the intensity of the prayer? How do you feel when you pray out loud? Do you include adoration of God in your prayers? How is prayer a form of worship?
Quote #4 (amulek)
Possible engagement tool: Even though Amulek is not a prophet, Mormon thought to include his sermon on prayer, one of our most powerful teachings. Listen for what stands out for you today.
Note: this quote can be divided among 3-4 readers.
17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;
18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.
19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.
20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.
21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.
22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.
23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.
24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.
25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.
26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.
27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.
Possible discussion questions: Which part of this sermon on prayer stands out for you today? Is there something you could do more of from these verses? Why does Heavenly Father care about the small details of our lives? Do you believe the Heavens would partner with you and your daily endeavors? Why does prayer matter, and can it make a difference?
Quote #5 (charity)
Charity is always a great topic to bring up!
28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.
29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men. (Alma 34:28-29)
Possible discussion questions: What are some of your favorite charitable things to do for others? Have you ever had someone show you some kindness, and it changed your day? Why is it important to reach out to those around us?
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.
Thank you for your excellent lesson plans. I appreciate your help immensely.