5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
Alma 5-7
Profound, soul-searching verses and eloquent descriptions of Christ and His suffering make this a powerful discussion in class.
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 (sing)
Possible engagement tool: Engage your class’s attention with an introduction. In your own words, tell your class something like, “Alma chapter 5 is, perhaps, one of the most vigorous, self-searching soul scrubs found in the Book of Mormon. First, Alma asks, “When was the last time you were so full of spirit and love, you felt like singing with the choirs of heaven”?
Have someone read:
“And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now”? (Alma 5:26)
(Fair question, right?)
Possible engagement tool: Tell your class that Elder Stanfill of the Quorum of the Seventy gave a devotional at BYU-Hawaii that explains this verse in detail. See what stands out for you.
To sing the song of redeeming love is to feel the pure love of Christ — to feel the joy and hope that comes from an expanded soul changed by sincere repentance.
Alma describes this feeling as exquisite, sweet joy but to sing this song is not just to feel the joy but to share it.
The Savior’s grace is available to all, and you can participate. The Savior’s love and His grace will become apparent in your lives as you seek Him. Your burdens can be made light. The Savior’s grace will enable you to find discipleship and help others do the same.
Note: An expanded soul can sometimes feel like an awakening with new energy, thoughts, and feelings.
Possible discussion questions: How would you explain the phrase “to sing the song of redeeming love” in your own words to a friend? What does it mean to have “an expanded soul”?
More thoughtful questions: Have you ever told Heavenly Father you were sorry for something you did or said in a prayer? How does it feel to review your actions and confess to God? Why is it important to have conversations with God and repent?
The Guaranteed Soul Assassins
Quote #2 (special-er)
Possible engagement tool: In your own words, tell the class something like, “Alma names THREE things that will keep us from feeling joy and what three topics he chose may surprise you. They’re not the typical Sunday School answers.”
Write on the board or say: #1 “I Am Special-er Than You.”
Alma minces no words, “Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.” (Alma 5:28)
Note: “Pride” is a common, repeated sermon; sometimes, hearing the word tempts us to tune it out. But Alma refers to pride from an angle that’s hard to ignore or gloss over.
Note: read the first sentence only.
“Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another…”? (Alma 5:54)
Deepen the Understanding
Possible engagement tool: Tell your class something like, “Elder Uchtdorf gave a stellar definition of pride in General Conference (Oct 2010) that matches Alma’s definition. He describes things we often see in one form or another.”
This sin [pride] has many faces. It leads some to revel in their own perceived self-worth, accomplishments, talents, wealth, or position. They count these blessings as evidence of being “chosen,” “superior,” or “more righteous” than others. This is the sin of “Thank God I am more special than you.” At its core is the desire to be admired or envied. It is the sin of self-glorification.”
Bottom line: arrogance and self-importance are sneaky and rob the soul of well-being, of deeper joy, and ultimately cost us our exaltation.
Quote #3 (green-eyed monster)
Write on the board or say: #2 “The Green-eyed Monster”
Possible engagement tool: The phrase “green-eyed monster” was made famous by Shakespeare in two of his plays, “The Merchant of Venice” and “Othello” more than 400 years ago. It was used to describe envy and jealousy and has been a famous phrase ever since.
Please note how Alma specifically calls out envy,
Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless. (Alma 5:29)
Deepen the Understanding
Jeffrey R. Holland gave a superb, modern description of envy’s chronic unhappiness in General Conference (April 2012). I call it the “Quart of Pickle Juice” parable.
“Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,” as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live.”
Possible discussion questions: Why is it important to recognize what envy is and keep it out of your life? What happens to us when we get jealous? In what ways is envy the opposite of love? (Accept all reasonable answers – we’re not able to be happy for someone else and don’t rejoice in their good fortune. But love can help us be happy for others)
Quote #4 (talking smack)
Possible engagement tool: Share your personal awareness of yourself regarding gossip and talking about others. I would say something like this: “Alma’s #3 warning might be the one I need to think about and work on the most. At first, I said, “I don’t do that…then realized, “Oops, I do that.”
30 And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?
31 Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the time is at hand that he must repent or he cannot be saved! (Alma 5:30-31)
Possible activity: As we go through this activity, encourage the class to focus their thoughts and comments on their own actions. The words “mocking” and “persecutions” aren’t used a lot in our time; write the words on the board and have two people read the familiar, modern definitions below:
mocking; uncivil, sarcastic, gossiping, rude, insulting, belittling, or unkind
persecution; ill-treatment, bashing, pestering, taunt, torment, OR shun, exile, and exclude
Possible discussion questions: Once they are done reading the definitions, ask which definition of mocking or persecution stands out to you? Do we see examples of that in our own life? Could we be better about such things?
Takeaway for Quotes 2, 3 and 4
Possible engagement tool: Help your class see how quotes 2, 3, and 4 are closely related.
Ask: How are quotes 2,3 and 4 related to each other? Accept all reasonable answers – this is what I would share:
“Do you, by chance, notice how all three of Alma’s warnings deal with how we treat others? It reminds me of some “ouch” advice my good friend shared. She said, “The ‘least of these thy brethren‘ are whomever you personally think the least of. And how you treat them is counted the same as if you did it to Christ.”
End with your testimony of the importance of these truths and what you hope to do to better yourself.
May we all find the strength, willpower, and know-how to upgrade our interactions with those around us.
Quote #5 (christ)
Possible engagement tool: Tell your class that Alma writes one of the most important descriptions of Christ’s ability to understand us intimately. Ask them to listen for a part that especially stands out for them.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. (Alma 7:11-12)
Have someone read President Nelson’s powerful comment on these verses:
Jesus Christ] was brutally reviled, mocked, spit upon, and scourged. In the Garden of Gethsemane, our Savior took upon Himself every pain, every sin, and all of the anguish and suffering ever experienced by you and me and by everyone who has ever lived or will ever live. Under the weight of that excruciating burden, He bled from every pore. All of this suffering was intensified as He was cruelly crucified on Calvary’s cross. (President Nelson, The Correct Name of the Church – Oct 2018)
Possible discussion questions: Why does Christ understand us so well? (Accept all reasonable answers – He came to earth and experienced mortality as we do, both pain and sickness. President Nelson notes He took on everyone’s pain and suffering.) Why is it important to know how much Christ suffered on our behalf? (So we don’t repeat it by not repenting – and so we can trust Him to understand everything we are going through).
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.
Shawnie, I am so grateful for your lessons. Youth Sunday School is my favorite, and I find your quotes and questions to be insightful and engaging. Thank you so much!