5+ TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

2 Nephi 31-33

These chapters contain powerful doctrines and teachings. Let’s ponder Nephi’s last words.

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 show 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

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 (doctrine of christ)

We often hear the phrase “the doctrine of Christ” at General Conference. Nephi outlines the doctrine of Christ plainly for us in 2 Nephi 31.

Scripture #1 (Intro)

Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying. (2 Nephi 31:2)

Possible discussion question: In the Book of Mormon, who first explains the doctrine of Christ to us? (Nephi)

Possible visual aid: Write “Doctrine of Christ” on the board or tape/pin a sign that says “Doctrine of Christ.”

Scripture #2

10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?

11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. (2 Nephi 31:10-11)

Possible discussion question: What two commandments come from the Father and are part of the doctrine of Christ?

Possible visual aid: Write “Repent” and “Be baptized” on the board or tape/pin a sign that has those words.

Scripture #3

And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do. (2 Nephi 31:12)

Possible discussion question: What comes after baptism and is part of the doctrine of Christ? (Gift of the Holy Ghost)

Possible visual aid: Write “Gift of the Holy Ghost” on the board or tape/pin a sign that has that word.

Scripture #4

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. (2 Nephi 31:13)

Possible discussion questions: Can we just go through the outward motions of repenting and being baptized and still get the same blessings? (No) What does “full purpose of heart” mean? (Accept all reasonable answers — truly mean it or “all in”) What does “acting no hypocrisy” mean?

hypocrisy: the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform.

Acting with no hypocrisy means we have truly repented and changed our lifestyle/habits.

Possible discussion question: What comes after the Gift of the Holy Ghost? (baptism of fire and Holy Ghost) Have you ever felt the need to praise Jesus Christ? What is the baptism of fire spoken of by Nephi?

And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not. (3 Nephi 9:20)

Possible discussion question: How would you explain a “broken heart and contrite spirit” to a friend?

I asked this same question online (X account) and more than 100 people responded. Here are some of the answers:

“Willing to look inside yourself, give an honest evaluation, recognize you make mistakes, and that without God’s help, you can’t improve on your weaknesses.” ~Landon Hemsley

“A broken heart comes from disappointment in the world. A contrite spirit comes from recognizing you are part of the disappointment.” ~CoryDean

“It is a deeply personal recognition that you need to change.” ~Mark

“Regret for your mistakes and a willingness to change — in other words, godly sorrow.” ~HeLives

Possible visual aid: Write “Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit” and “Baptism of Fire and Holy Ghost” on the board or tape/pin a sign that has those words.

Scripture #5

15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. (2 Nephi 31:15-16)

Possible discussion question: What does the phrase “endure to the end” mean to you?

Possible visual aid: Write “Endure to the End” on the board or tape/pin a sign that has that word.

Your Doctrine of Christ List should look something like this:

Doctrine of Christ

• Repent
• Be Baptized
• Gift of the Holy Ghost
• Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit
• Baptism of Fire and of the Holy Ghost
• Endure to the End

Congratulations, you have just taught each other the doctrine of Christ.

Scripture #6

Let’s deepen our understanding and take a look at what enduring to the end looks like to a prophet.

Possible engagement tool: Ask your class to listen to Nephi as he describes enduring to the end.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. (2 Nephi 31:20)

Possible class activity: Pull out Nephi’s instructions and write them on the board.

• Press forward
• Steadfastness in Christ
• Brightness of hope
• Love of God
• Love of all men
• Feast on the word of Christ
• Endure to the end

Possible discussion question: Which part of Nephi’s description stands out the most to you today and why? What could you do more of?

Quote #2 (angels)

Nephi asks an important question found in 2 Nephi 32:1 —

“…I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way.”

He then gives the answer in verses 3 and 4.

Possible engagement tool: Ask your class to listen for Nephi’s advice for life after baptism:

3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. (2 Nephi 32:3-4)

Possible discussion question: What advice is Nephi giving us as members of the Church? (Validate all reasonable answers. Study Christ’s words and prayerfully ask to understand them.) Where can we find the words of Jesus Christ? (Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Four Gospels.) Have you ever found answers in the scriptures? Who doesn’t mind sharing a personal experience? What is your favorite way to study the scriptures?

Quote #3 (pray)

Prayer changes things. Bring the power of prayer into your life!

Possible engagement tool: Nephi tells us it’s important to search Christ’s words for answers, wisdom, and strength. What else does he advise us to do?

9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. (2 Nephi 32:9)

Possible discussion questions: Why is it important to keep in touch with the Father through Jesus Christ? How often can we pray? (many times a day) Should we pray over our church callings, ministering and service to our families? How does prayer benefit you? Where do you like to pray the most?

Possible closing question: If you were to sum up all of Nephi’s advice to a friend, what would you say?

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.