5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Doctrine and Covenants 124

This week’s lesson plan covers: how the Lord works through weak things to bring about greatness, seeking the prophet’s counsel, the importance of stewardship, accepting humble callings, how the Lord wants to give us revelations, and where cursings originate.

Tips for delivering a successful lesson are located at the end of the article.

Note: All blue quotes are from the Doctrine and Covenants (unless otherwise noted).

Quote #1 (weak things)

Possible engagement tool: Say something like, “Jesus Christ might not be as impressed with some people as we are, and far more impressed by people we might overlook. See what comes up for you as we read the following verses.”

Note: Please divide among three readers.

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.

—AND—

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (1 Corinthians 1:26-27)

—AND—

17 And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:17)

Possible discussion questions: What great and notable work had Joseph accomplished before God the Father and Jesus Christ chose to appear to him? Would anyone who knew Joseph as a poor, uneducated, and limping farmboy be super impressed? How much is the earthly status of being wealthy, glamorous, and popular worth to us on the other side of the veil and in the resurrection? What is more critical—being esteemed by our peers or being esteemed by the Lord? Which one will matter the most to you at the end of your life when you’re about to die? What kind of person do you hope to become?

Quote #2 (prophet)

Possible Intro: The following verses are addressed to Robert B. Thompson, an official Church scribe and historian for the Prophet Joseph Smith; nonetheless, the Lord’s message could be repeated to each of us.

13 Let him [Robert], therefore, hearken to your counsel, and I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings; let him be faithful and true in all things from henceforth, and he shall be great in mine eyes;

14 But let him remember that his stewardship will I require at his hands. (Doctrine and Covenants 124:13-14)

Possible discussion questions: Whose counsel is Robert supposed to listen to? (Joseph Smith) What does the Lord promise Robert if he listens to the prophet’s counsel? Why do we want to seek President Oaks’s counsel? Consider the following possible activity for the following two questions: What are your stewardships today? (Accept all reasonable answers—students, chores, family relations, callings, scripture study, prayer) Which stewardships has the Lord given you?

stewardship: responsibility, charge, supervision, assignment, etc. In Church, it means what office or calling the Lord has assigned to you or entrusted to your care.

Possible activity: 1) Write “stewardship” and its definitions on the board. 2) Ask the question: What are your stewardships today? (Accept all reasonable answers—students, chores, family relations, callings, scripture study, prayer) 3) Write the students’ answers on the board. Use shortened definitions or just the keywords they mention. For example, “I have to milk the cow every morning.” – Write “chores.” 4) Ask, “Which stewardships has the Lord given you?”

Quote #3 (few things)

Possible intro: This verse was initially given to Amos Davies, an established and successful businessman who generally employed others and was accustomed to giving directions. Earlier, he was advised to help build the Nauvoo House with his own hands, which would have been beneath his traditional community standing. Amos might have considered that calling below his capacity and abilities.

113 And when he shall prove himself faithful in all things that shall be entrusted unto his care, yea, even a few things, he shall be made ruler over many;

114 Let him therefore abase himself that he may be exalted. Even so. Amen. (Doctrine and Covenants 124:113-114)

Let’s rephrase the message: “When Amos shows he is committed to the assignments given to him, even if they’re small and humble tasks, he will prove he can be trusted as a leader/ruler over greater things. One must accept humble callings willingly to eventually be exalted.

Possible discussion questions: What is the message about smaller callings and stewardships? Are small tasks important? What does the Lord think of us when we are faithful in humble or small assignments? How about when we follow the prophet’s advice when it comes to social media or peacemaking—are small things really small?

Quote #4 (deign)

Possible engagement tool: Ask the class to consider the question, “Does the Lord want to give us revelation?” as we read the following verse.

41 For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times. (Doctrine and Covenants 124:41)

Possible activity: Write “deign” on the board and teach what it means.

deign: graciously offer, to regard as worthy, show grace (when perhaps not quite deserving of it), gift something from a higher-status person to a lower-status recipient. (Note: In today’s English, ‘deign’ is commonly a negative word, like one condescending to another unworthy person, but in biblical English, it has a more positive meaning.)

Possible discussion question: Does the Lord want to give us light, knowledge, and revelation? (Yes…but we must seek it and be worthy of it.) What have you learned about the gospel that is especially meaningful to you? How can we demonstrate to the Lord that we’re ready for more knowledge and revelation?

Quote #5 (cursings)

Possible Intro: We often discuss blessings; sometimes it’s beneficial to discuss curses.

48 For instead of blessings, ye, by your own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practice before me, saith the Lord. (Doctrine and Covenants 124:48)

Possible discussion questions: Does the Lord have to be pretty patient with us? Whose choices cause a lot of our regrets and difficulties? (Our own choices.) Which gives us more strength and greater capacity, A) admitting our mistakes and poor choices and humbly working through the consequences, or B) defending them, excusing them, denying them, and blaming others? How can humility help us work through our poor choices and make better ones in the future?

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.

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.

(You can find the Church’s Come, Follow Me lesson here.)

How to Teach Successfully and Give a Better Lesson

You have great content; now let’s ensure the lesson goes smoothly.

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.

Lesson Prep

• If you want the discussion to be more robust and 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.