5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Doctrine and Covenants 115 – 120

This week’s lesson topics are: Jesus Christ’s Church, hold up your light, the blessing of divine providence, and what is ‘Zion’?

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 (i.e. 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 send it via text or email.
• 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 during class. If you want more discussion and engagement, here are some tips:

• 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 becomes too non-spiritual, pull it back by moving on 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 you had planned, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.

Quote #1 (his church)

Possible Intro: Ask your class to consider why we no longer encourage the name ‘Mormons’ as we read these quotes.

Note: Please divide among several readers.

For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Doctrine and Covenants 115:4)

—AND—

What’s in a name or, in this case, a nickname? When it comes to nicknames of the Church, such as the “LDS Church,” the “Mormon Church,” or the “Church of the Latter-day Saints,” the most important thing in those names is the absence of the Savior’s name. To remove the Lord’s name from the Lord’s Church is a major victory for Satan. When we discard the Savior’s name, we are subtly disregarding all that Jesus Christ did for us—even His Atonement.

So, what’s in a name? When it comes to the name of the Lord’s Church, the answer is “Everything!” Jesus Christ directed us to call the Church by His name because it is His Church, filled with His power. I know that God lives. Jesus is the Christ. He leads His Church today. I so testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. (President Neson, The Correct Name of the Church – Oct 2018)

Author’s Note: With the positive tones of friendship, invite them to refer to you as a Latter-day Saint. Explain that ‘Mormon’ was never a respectful nickname and that you don’t actually like it. Mention the full name of our Church. It has power to say those words out loud.

Possible discussion questions: Why do we want to go by the name “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” rather than the “Mormon Church”? What is the benefit of encouraging others to call us ‘Latter-day Saints’ rather than ‘Mormons’? What message do other people get from hearing the name, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”—who is front and center in that name? What message do other people get from hearing the name ‘the Mormon Church’—who is front and center in that name?

Possible activity: Write the following phrases on the board. Have everyone turn to the person next to them, and one person of each partnership say two things: “I belong to the Mormon Church” and “I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Then have each partnership discuss which had more impact and meaning.

Possible discussion question: Which is harder to say? Is it worth it?

Author’s Note: There is great power in even speaking the name ‘Jesus Christ.’ It might be hard to do, but you are actually bearing testimony of Jesus Christ every time you tell someone the real name of our church. Do it with class, good humor, and civility.

Quote #2 (shine)

Possible engagement tool: Jesus summons your light and reassures you that He wants it seen everywhere.

Note: Please divide among three readers.

5 Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations; 115

—AND—

24 Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father [on behalf of others], and ye all have witnessed.

25 And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see [and have a rather up-close, personal experience]; even so shall ye do unto the world [include and invite everyone]; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation. (3 Nephi 18:24)

Possible discussion questions: What’s a light you can hold up to the world? (Accept all reasonable answers – your faith, your testimony, service, your love, the light of your soul, your talents, your confidence, your strength, etc.) Should we be afraid or embarrassed of living our faith in front of others? Can you say a prayer over your food in restaurants? Why is embracing and developing our talents and gifts a good thing?

Quote #3 (providence)

Possible engagement tool: Write “Providence” on the board. Say something like, “The Lord gives providence as a reason to have faith in Him.”

Note: Please divide between two readers.

6 For have I not the fowls of heaven, and also the fish of the sea, and the beasts of the mountains? Have I not made the earth? Do I not hold the destinies of all the armies of the nations of the earth?

7 Therefore, will I not make solitary places to bud and to blossom, and to bring forth in abundance? saith the Lord. (Doctrine and Covenants 117:6-7)

—AND—

Divine Providence: God’s loving, guiding, and caring influence in the lives of individuals and the affairs of the world, preparing the way for His children to return to Him. It includes providing for spiritual and physical needs, guiding through challenges, and aligning circumstances for the ultimate good and happiness of His children.

Possible discussion question: What are some examples of divine providence? What guidance and providence have you noticed in your life? How would you describe the Lord’s guiding hand in your life to a friend?

Quote #4 & #5 (zion)

Possible Intro: Write on the board: What is Zion?

Possible activity: After each verse or quote, ask the question, “What does this verse (quote) say Zion is? Write short versions or keywords of what your class brings up.

Please divide among several readers.

The Lord described the Zion He will create during Christ’s millennial reign: ‘The Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them’ (Moses 7:18). Our goal as a covenant people is to become such a Zion people.”
(President Russell M. Nelson, “The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior’s Second Coming,” Apr 2020)

—AND—

“Zion can be built up only among those who are the pure in heart, not a people torn by covetousness or greed, but a pure and selfless people. Not a people who are pure in appearance, rather a people who are pure in heart. Zion is to be in the world and not of the world, not dulled by a sense of carnal security, nor paralyzed by materialism. No, Zion is not things of the lower, but of the higher order, things that exalt the mind and sanctify the heart.

“Zion is ‘every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.’ (D&C 82:19) As I understand these matters, Zion can be established only by those who are pure in heart, and who labor for Zion, for ‘the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.’ (2 Ne. 26:31)” (President Spencer W. Kimball – April 1978)

—AND—

5 Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you.

6 And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you. (Doctrine and Covenants 119:5-6)

Possible discussion questions: What stands out to you today from these quotes about Zion? Why is Zion so important to us? How are we like Zion and how are we not? In what ways can you get ready for Zion? Do you think you’ll be prepared for Zion when the time comes?

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 the lives of others.

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.