5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Doctrine and Covenants 49 – 50

This week’s topics are: accepting Christ, crucial steps, eating meat, gospel knowledge, and signs of the times.

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 Doctrine and Covenants (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.

• Ensure every class member has a set of scriptures in front of them or on their phone. Always invite the class to read along—hearing and seeing the words together increases comprehension and engagement.
• Avoid videos – they shut down discussion. Save them for personal study.
• If the discussion gets too non-spiritual, pull it back by going to the next quote or question.
• Make sure you assign others to read the quotes. You’re talking enough already, and 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 the discussion takes a different turn than your planned lesson, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.

Quote #1 (receive)

Possible Intro: God the Father speaks about Christ. As we read the following verses, consider what words are important to you.

5 Thus saith the Lord; for I am God, and have sent mine Only Begotten Son into the world for the redemption of the world, and have decreed that he that receiveth him shall be saved, and he that receiveth him not shall be damned—

And they have done unto the Son of Man even as they listed; and he has taken his power on the right hand of his glory, and now reigneth in the heavens, and will reign till he descends on the earth to put all enemies under his feet, which time is nigh at hand. (Doctrine and Covenants 49:5-6)

Possible discussion questions: What words or phrases stood out to you from these verses? How does God want people to respond to Jesus Christ? What does it mean to receive Jesus Christ? (Accept all reasonable answers – it means to accept Him.) In what ways can you show Jesus Christ that you accept Him? Who is the “Son of Man”? Who is He the Son of? (Man of Holiness) Whose image are we created in? Why are the titles “Son of Man” and “Man of Holiness” important? (They help us grasp who God is and who we are. They are exalted Men and we are mankind trying to become like Them.)

Quote #2 (crucial)

Possible engagement tool: The Lord shares the crucial stepping stones to receiving and accepting Him.

12 Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the beginning and the end;

13 Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins;

14 And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church. (Doctrine and Covenants 49:12-14)

Possible discussion questions: Here are some essential questions: Do you believe Christ came to earth and will come again? What does it mean that Christ is the beginning and the end? (Accept all reasonable answers) Have you been baptized? Do you still repent? Do you keep the Holy Ghost active in your life?

Deepen the Understanding – The Beginning and the End

Can be used if your class needs help understanding what Christ means when He says He is the beginning and the end.

Beginning

1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;

2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes;

3 I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me. (Doctrine and Covenants 38:1-3)

—AND—

The End

1 I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world.

2 I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning me—having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself—

3 Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he hath done. (Doctrine and Covenants 19:1-3)

Possible discussion question: What does it mean that Christ is the beginning and the end? (Accept all reasonable answers)

Quote #3 (meat)

Possible Intro: There are lots of nutrition studies and differing opinions. But what does the Lord say?

Note: Can be divided among multiple readers.

18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;

19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance. (Doctrine and Covenants 49:18-19)

—AND—

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: (1 Tim 4:1-4)

Possible discussion questions: Should we tell other people they should not eat meat?

Quote #4 (growth)

Possible engagement tool: Ask your class to think about the following question as you read these verses: “Does the Lord expect you to understand everything”?

40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.

41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;

—How Do We Grow in Understanding?—

24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. (Doctrine and Covenants 50:24)

Possible discussion question: How do you know the Lord has patience for you as you learn? What are your favorite ways to learn about the gospel?

Quote #5 (watch)

Possible intro: The Lord invites us to “watch.” Consider what that word means to you as we read the following verses.

Note: Can be divided among multiple readers.

44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.

45 And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am.

46 Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen. (D&C 50:44-46)

—What Do We Watch For?—

22 And again, verily I say unto you, that the Son of Man cometh not in the form of a woman, neither of a man traveling on the earth.

23 Wherefore, be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro as a drunken man, and for the valleys to be exalted, and for the mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become smooth—and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet. (D&C 49:22-23)

Possible discussion questions: Do you look forward to seeing Jesus Christ? Name some of the signs that will happen before the Lord comes again? Why is it important to understand the signs?

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 Doctrine and Covenant 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.