5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
3 Nephi 8 – 11
Powerful chapters! I’m traveling extensively and will put up the “three” quotes I have. All three have a “Deepen the Understanding” section, so really it’s six. My adivice is to pull out your favorite verse from chapter 11 and add it.
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 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 (conversion)
Possible intro: As we read the following verse, ask your class to think about what it means to be converted. Ask them also to notice how personable and direct the Savior speaks to the Nephites after the destruction that destroys the wicked.
13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? (3 Nephi 9:13)
converted: Conversion is a significant change that involves a change in desires, attitudes, and nature.
Possible discussion questions: How would you feel if Jesus spoke to you, like he spoke to the Nephites? By a show of hands, does Christ’s question bring to your mind things that you could work on in your life or need to change – yes or no? What is the difference between being “more righteous than they” and “converted”? Even though we are members of the Church, can we become more converted?
Deepen the Understanding
“that I may heal you”?
Tell your class we’re about to read a verse that helps us understand what being the Savior means by being “healed.”
22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God. (Jeremiah 3:22)
backsliding: weaken, go back to one’s bad habits
Important questions: Who can we turn to for help with our bad habits? (God, bishop, parents, leaders, friends) How do we do that? (Accept all reasonable answers – prayer, confession, repentance, change habits, bring more Spirit into our lives, be more intentional about following Jesus)
Quote #2 (come)
Possible Intro: Ask your class to think about what Jesus Christ means when He says “Come Unto Me” while we read the following verse:
Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. (3 Nephi 9:14)
Possible discussion question: Jesus often invites us to “come unto Him” in the scriptures. What does He mean by that phrase? (Accept all reasonable answers – and then read the next verse.)
Deepen the Understanding
35 Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness, and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire—
36 For behold, the time is at hand that whosoever bringeth forth not good fruit, or whosoever doeth not the works of righteousness, the same have cause to wail and mourn. (Alma 5:35-36)
Possible activity: Pass out the following list of “works of righteousness” to each person and ask class members to share their thoughts about any one of them. Which one stands out for them today from the list?
Works of Righteousness (How we “come to Jesus.”)
List of “works of righteousness” from the Book of Mormon:
Faith and Repentance: Central to the Book of Mormon, works of righteousness begin with faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. This involves not only acknowledging sins but actively turning away from them.
Baptism and Covenant Keeping: Baptism is seen as an essential work, symbolizing a commitment to follow Christ. Keeping the covenants made at baptism, such as taking upon oneself the name of Christ, is fundamental.
Service and Charity: The Book of Mormon emphasizes service to others, especially the poor and needy, as a significant righteous act. Charity, or the pure love of Christ, is described as the greatest of all virtues, which leads to serving others wholeheartedly.
Obedience to God’s Commandments: Obedience to the commandments given by God, including the Ten Commandments and those specific to the Book of Mormon like keeping the Sabbath day holy, is crucial.
Prayer and Study of Scriptures: Engaging in regular prayer and scripture study is portrayed as righteousness, fostering a connection with God and understanding His will.
Possible Last Question: Which would you personally like to do more of? (Remember, it’s line upon line. We can seldom add several new goals successfully, all at once)
Quote #3 (sacrifice)
Possible intro: Remind your class that the Nephites were still living the law of Moses and offering animal sacrifices, which Christ fulfilled when he was crucified for our sins.
18 I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.
20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not. (3 Nephi 9:18-20)
Possible discussion questions: What replaced the law of Moses and animal sacrifices? (Accept all reasonable answers – Christ’s atonement and our broken heart and contrite spirit) What is a broken heart and a contrite spirit? (Accept all reasonable answers – see definitions below and use them if needed)
Broken Heart: It implies a state of deep humility and repentance, where one acknowledges one’s own weaknesses and sins and seeks divine grace and forgiveness. It’s about being open and vulnerable before God, allowing Him to heal and transform.
Contrite Spirit: Has a genuine desire to change, improve, and align oneself more fully with divine teachings.
Deepen the Understanding
Who is speaking to the Nephites in these verses – who is the Alpha and Omega?

Note: Can be divided between two readers.
Alpha and Omega: The terms “Alpha” and “Omega” come from the Greek alphabet, where Alpha is the first letter and Omega is the last. They point to the eternal nature of Jesus Christ, who is the Beginning and the End.
Beginning and End: The Savior is the beginning and the end of all things. This communicates the powerful truth that Christ existed before all creation and will exist beyond the end of time, indicating His eternal nature.
Possible Last Question: How do you feel about Jesus Christ being called “the Alpha and the Omega.” What does that mean to you personally?
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.
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