5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
3 Nephi 1 – 7
“They knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction.”
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 (doubters)
Possible intro: The people of 3 Nephi heard many doubts from unbelievers around them. See if you notice any similarities.
5 But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite.
6 And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.
7 And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass. (3 Nephi 1:5-7)

Possible discussion questions: Even though Samuel’s prophecies came to pass – did it stop the unbelievers from mocking and creating doubts later on? (No.) What can we learn from the Nephites’ experience with opposition to their faith? (Accept all reasonable answers – 1) there will always be plenty of doubters. 2) they are generally loud, dramatic, confrontational, and aggressive about their “facts.” 3) even if you can prove your religion was right about something…they will move on to another point. It’s not about discovering truth but getting you to second-guess yourself and deny the faith.) What can we say to people who are pessimistic about our religion and beliefs?
Quote #2 (testimony)
Let’s talk about how to keep our testimonies strong!
It’s essential to see the repeating patterns happening with people everywhere, in and out of the Church.
1 And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen—
2 Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing. (3 Nephi 2;1-2)
Possible discussion questions: Do people have notable spiritual experiences and then forget or deny them later? Who wants us to disbelieve our own spiritual encounters? How can we keep a firm hold on our spiritual experiences despite all our doubts? (Accept all reasonable answers – WRITE THEM DOWN, REVIEW AND PONDER THEM, SHARE THEM WITH OTHERS).
Possible activity: Have your class share one gospel principle or topic that brings them peace or happiness – something they particularly enjoy about the gospel and why they like it. (It can be anything, even Church ball.)
Quote #3 (war – the lord’s way)
Possible intro: The righteous army captain Gidgiddoni models one of the Lord’s most important counsels about war.
20 Now the people said unto Gidgiddoni: Pray unto the Lord, and let us go up upon the mountains and into the wilderness, that we may fall upon the robbers and destroy them in their own lands.
21 But Gidgiddoni saith unto them: The Lord forbid; for if we should go up against them the Lord would deliver us into their hands; therefore we will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our armies together, and we will not go against them, but we will wait till they shall come against us; therefore as the Lord liveth, if we do this he will deliver them into our hands. (3 Nephi 3:20-21)
Deepen the Understanding
Why was it important that the Nephites not be the aggressors or the ones to start a war?
14 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives. (Alma 48:14)
Possible discussion questions: Does the Lord bless us if we start a war against our enemies without His command? (No.) What are we counseled to do instead?
Quote #4 (prayer)
Possible Intro: Ask your class to consider this question as we read the following verses: “When our lives are in deep trouble – who do we turn to”?
Note: Can be divided between two readers.
7 And it came to pass that they did come up to battle; and it was in the sixth month; and behold, great and terrible was the day that they did come up to battle; and they were girded about after the manner of robbers; and they had a lamb-skin about their loins, and they were dyed in blood, and their heads were shorn, and they had head-plates upon them; and great and terrible was the appearance of the armies of Giddianhi, because of their armor, and because of their being dyed in blood.
8 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the appearance of the army of Giddianhi, had all fallen to the earth, and did lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. (3 Nephi 4:7-8)
Note how the Gaddianton robbers interpreted the Nephite’s prayers vs. what really happened.
9 And it came to pass that when the armies of Giddianhi saw this they began to shout with a loud voice, because of their joy, for they had supposed that the Nephites had fallen with fear because of the terror of their armies.
10 But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them. (3 Nephi 4:9-10)
Possible discussion questions: Are there times when we need the strength of the Lord because our own is not enough? (YES!) What happens when we confide in God and ask for His guidance, blessings, and strength? Have you ever had a prayer answered? What happened? How open can we be with Heavenly Father as we pray?
Do we need to wait for big problems before we seek the Lord, or could we seek Him earlier?
Reader 1 – He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken. (D&C 88:83)
Reader 2 – They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.
8 In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me. (D&C 101:7-8)
Important question: When would be best to develop a strong, prayerful relationship with the Lord? (NOW)
Quote #5 (us)
What makes our prayers more powerful and effective? What can we do to feel more strongly connected to God?
33 And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction. (3 Nephi 4:33)
Possible discussion questions: Why did God deliver the Nephites out of the hands of the Gaddianton robbers? What happens when we are repentant and humble? How often is it good to be humble and repentant with God in our prayers?
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.
Thank you for this additional tool!!!