5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
Helaman 7 – 12
Here are several lesson ideas inspired by Nephi, a courageous prophet among a very difficult people.
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 than the one you planned, 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 (unwearyingness)
Possible intro: The Lord gave Nephi a lot of power. In this verse, He tells him why—see what stands out for you as we read this verse together.

Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. (Helman 10:4)
unwearyingness: showing sustained enthusiastic action with persistent vitality.
Possible discussion question: How would you describe unwearyingness in your own words? What did Nephi do that set him apart? (Accept all reasonable answers – declared the word, didn’t fear other people’s opinions, put the Lord first, and kept the commandments.) How would it feel to have the Lord say something like this to you?
Quote #2 (opposites)
Possible engagement tool: Tell your class you’re about to read two opposite situations. Have them listen for which situation turns people towards the Lord.
Ease
Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity. (Helaman 12:2)
Difficulty
And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him. (Helaman 12;3)
Possible discussion questions: Which situation prompts people to turn to the Lord more? Ease or difficulty? Why do people, in general, wait until times are tough before they turn to the Lord? (Accept all reasonable answers – hard times can sometimes humble people and help soften their hearts.) Why is gratitude for good things and remembering the Lord every day important?
Quote #3 (grace)
In gospel language, grace often means empowerment from on high. Repentance also brings spiritual power into our lives. The scriptures are written to guide us to the very best version of ourselves. This verse is a mini-blueprint that helps us focus our lives meaningfully.
23 Therefore, blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved.
24 And may God grant, in his great fulness, that men might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, according to their works. (Helaman 12:23-24)
grace: is described as a divine power that enables people to do and be what they otherwise could not, and is often referred to in the scriptures as a divine means of help or strength.
Possible discussion questions: What are the two things Nephi counsels us to make a part of our life? (repentance and good works). What do those two things bring into our lives? (Accept all reasonable answers – Grace.) If you were to explain grace in your own words to a friend, what would you say? Have you ever felt “grace” given you? What are some good works you can do? (Maybe write a list of people’s suggestions on the board.)
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.
Beautiful art work