Lesson 36: 3 Nephi 1-7

September 7-13

3 Nephi 1-7

"Lift up your head and be of good cheer"

Materials: "Following the Leader" video clip (below), print out disciple quote strips, Badge printouts (below), coloring supplies, 

Opening Song: "I'm trying to be like Jesus" (Children's Songbook, 78)

Opening Prayer:

Scripture: 3 Nephi 5:13

Attention Activity: 

Watch the video clip below.

Who were the lost boys following? Who are we supposed to follow? Another word for a follower is a disciple. 

Lesson:

What do you think it means to be a disciple of Christ? Sometimes in the scriptures the word "disciple" refers to the apostles, but today we are going to talk about disciples as "followers of Jesus Christ." We obviously cannot follow Jesus like the lost boys followed John around Neverland. So, how can we follow Jesus? 

Activity: Disciple Strips

Before the lesson cut out the quotes below. Pass out the strips containing quotations from the scriptures and President James E. Faust's talk, "Discipleship" from October 2006 General Conference. Have family members read their strips in order to spell out the word "Disciple." After they read each quote, use the talking points to discuss each letter.

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D- “The word for disciple and the word for discipline both come from the same Latin root_—discipulus, which means pupil. It emphasizes practice or exercise.” 

I- D&C 41:5  He that ^areceiveth my ^blaw and ^cdoeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and ^ddoeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be ^ecast out from among you;

S- “The disciples of Christ receive a call to not only forsake the pursuit of worldly things but to carry the cross daily. To carry the cross means to follow His commandments and to build up His Church on the earth. It also means self-mastery.”

C- “Our true claim as disciples comes when we can say with certainty that His ways have become our ways.”

I- D&C 52: 40 And remember in all things the ^apoor and the ^bneedy, the ^csick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.

P- D&C 45: 32 But my disciples shall ^astand in holy places, and shall not be moved;

 

L- D&C 103:27-28 27 Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again.

28 And whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple.

“For most of us, however, what is required is not to die for the Church but to live for it. For many, living a Christlike life every day may be even more difficult than laying down one’s life.”

E- “Discipleship brings purpose to our lives so that rather than wandering aimlessly, we walk steadily on that strait and narrow way that leads us back to our Heavenly Father.”

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Discussion Points: 

D- Disciples are students of Jesus, who learn from and practice his teachings.

I- Disciples are obedient to the laws and commandments of God. The not only don't do the things they aren't supposed to, but also they do the things they should. 

S- Disciples try to build God's Kingdom; they share the gospel with others. 

C- Disciples seek to do the Lord's will and follow direction from the Holy Ghost. 

I- Disciples serve others. They help those less fortunate and serve their families and communities.

P- Disciples stand in holy places and are not moved. This means that they stick to their standards wherever they are. They try to make their homes a sacred, holy place. And they try to attend church and the temple often.

L- Disciples should be willing to die for their testimony. Or as President Faust said, live for their testimony. This means living the what you believe. 

E- Disciples have purpose; they set goals. They understand the plan of salvation and seek celestial glory.  

Read 3 Nephi 5: 12-13. Mormon interrupts his narration to declare that he is a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Have you ever noticed any one in our family acting as a disciple of Christ? What did they do? Who else are good examples of discipleship?

Activity: Badge Coloring. 

Print out the page and cut out one per family member. Each person can color their own badge. Encourage your family to put it somewhere they will see it often (like their bathroom mirror, locker, etc.) The badge will remind them what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

Share your testimony of Jesus Christ and what you believe it means to be a true disciple. 

Closing Song: "The Church of Jesus Christ" (Children's Songbook, 77)

Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries