This is a blog meant for the use of individuals and families which contains Family Home Evening lesson ideas and plans for the 2019-2020 "Come Follow Me" curriculum. This is meant to supplement the resource "Come Follow Me: For Individuals and Families". This is not an official page of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
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.
D- “The word fordiscipleand the word fordisciplineboth come from the same Latin root_—discipulus,which means pupil.It emphasizes practice or exercise.”
I- D&C 41:5 He thatareceivethmyblawandcdoethit, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it andddoethit not, the same is not my disciple, and shall beecast outfrom 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 theapoorand thebneedy, thecsickand the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.
P- D&C 45: 32 But my disciples shallastandinholy places, and shall not be moved;
L- D&C 103:27-28 27Let no man be afraid to lay down hislifefor my sake; for whosolayethdown his life for my sake shall find it again.
28And 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 todiefor the Church but tolivefor it. Formany, 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.”
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)
Materials: Crayons, 5 pieces of paper cut into 2 halves width wise, a chair, balls of paper, a simple costume for Samuel the Lamanite made our of robes, towels, etc.)
Opening Song: "Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus" (Children's Songbook, 36)
Opening Prayer:
Scriptures: Hel. 14:28 And the angel said unto me that many shall see greater things than these, to the intent that they might believe that athese signs and these wonders should come to pass upon all the face of this land, to the intent that there should be no cause for unbelief among the children of men
Attention Activity: Show the picture below. What are these? These are signs that warn drivers of things to come like railroad crossings, hills, exits, and stops. Why is it important to have warning sings? Heavenly Father also gives us warning signs sometimes. He has prophets tell us of things to come and signs to watch out for. One of these prophets was Samuel the Lamanite.
Lesson:
At this point in the Book of Mormon the Nephites have not been being very good. The Lord sends Samuel to try to teach the people repentance, but they turned him away. God told Samuel to go back and he would help Samuel know what to say to them. Samuel climbed a high wall to get back into the city and started to teach from the wall. He prophesied of many things including the destruction of the Nephites. He also prophesied of the Savior's birth and death.
Activity: Coloring share.
Before the lesson: Cut 5 pieces of paper width wise (hamburger) to make 10 halves. On each piece write one of the following verses from Helaman 14: 3, 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Pass out the papers to each person (some may take two depending on the size of your family).
Directions: You will each read the verse from Helaman 14 on the top of your paper. The verse describes a sign of either Jesus's birth of His death. Draw a picture of representing the sign. (i.e. if the sign was that there would be a lot of snow, draw a snowflake or a snowman)
When your family is finished coloring, have each person share their drawings and tell what the sign was that Samuel the Lamanite said would happen. The signs should include: (birth signs) a day with no darkness, a new star, many wonders in the heavens, everyone fallen to the earth in wonder; (death signs) darkness for 3 days, thunderings and lightenings, earthquakes, new mountains and valleys, destroyed cities, people resurrecting (after 3rd day).
As latter-day saints we are taught to have faith in God and not ask for signs. However sometimes God gives us signs to strengthen our faith and tell of things to come. Samuel said that Heavenly Father gives us these signs with the "intent that ye may believe on His name." (Hel. 14:12) Can you thunk if any signs the Lord has given to help you believe in Him? Signs that leas to faith are often more personal and less dramatic than earthquakes and new stars. What are some simple signs from your own life that lets you know that Jesus is the Christ.
After Samuel taught about the signs, did the people listen? Some did, but others did not believe his words and were angry with him. What did the unbelievers do to Samuel. They fired many arrows and threw rocks at Samuel. The Lord protected him so that none of the projectiles hit him. When the people saw the Samuel was safe some people believed him and asked the prophet, Nephi to be baptized.
Activity: Role play.
Have your family members take turns acting as Samuel. They can dress in a simple costume and stand on a chair to act as a wall. Have them tell one of the signs of Christ's birth or death. Then have the others throw paper balls, nerf bullets, etc. towards the Samuel actor. Remember the projectiles are not supposed to hit Samuel.
Opening Song: "Follow the Prophet" (Children's Songbook, )
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: D&C 1:38
Attention Activity:
I am going to read out a list of facts about a specific person. When you think you know who it is, raise your hand.
1. He is one of 4 children; he has two sisters and one brother.
2. He joined the church when he was 16.
3. He met his wife while acting in a play in college.
4. He was robbed at gunpoint in Mozambique, Africa.
5. He was a captain in the army.
6. He speaks fluent Chinese.
7. He has 10 children (9 daughters and 1 son)
8. He has perfect pitch and sings baritone.
9. He has performed surgery on dogs.
10. He completed a surgical residency at Harvard University.
Who is it? That is right; it is President Russel M. Nelson.
Lesson:
At this point in the Book of Mormon, the prophet and leader of the church is Helaman's son, Nephi. Nephi encourages his people to "remember the Lord." Today we are going to talk about prophets. What do prophets do?
Prophet Game: Before the game: print and cut out pictures of the two prophets below. Glue them together back to back on a popsicle stick. Make enough so that each person may have a prophet popsicle stick.
Directions: In order to learn more about what prophets do I'm going to read you a quote and I want you to show me with your popsicle stick whether the person talking is Nephi or President Nelson. Hold the correct person out towards me.
1. Prophets cry repentance and warn of the consequences of sin.
Nephi: Helaman 7:17–19. "17 O repent ye, repent ye! aWhy will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God. Why has he forsaken you? 18 It is because you have hardened your hearts; yea, ye will notahearkenunto the voice of thebgood shepherd; yea, ye havecprovokedhim to anger against you. 19 And behold, instead ofagathering you, except ye will repent, behold, he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild beasts."
"Repentance is the key to avoiding misery inflicted by traps of the adversary. The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point in our eternal progression. But He does expect us to become increasingly pure. Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power." (President Nelson, "We Can Do Better and Be Better" General Conference, April, 2019.)
2. Prophets know by revelation from God what the people need to hear.
Nephi: Helaman 7: 29Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself, because it is not of myself that I aknow these things; but behold, I bknow that these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me, therefore I testify that they shall be.
"Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son. Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance...In those two words—“Hear Him”—God gives us the pattern for success, happiness, and joy in this life. We are to hear the words of the Lord, hearken to them, and heed what He has told us!" (President Nelson, "Hear Him" General Conference. April, 2020).
3. Prophets are given the power to seal on earth and in heaven.
Nephi: Helaman 10:7. "Behold, I give unto you apower, that whatsoever ye shall bsealon earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people."
"Dear brothers and sisters, I express my love for you. During this time of tension and uncertainty, and invoking the authority vested in me, I would like to confer upon you an apostolic blessing. I bless you with peace and increasing faith in the Lord. I bless you with a desire to repent and become a little more like Him each day. I bless you to know that the Prophet Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness. Should there be illness among you or your loved ones, I leave a blessing of healing, consistent with the will of the Lord. I so bless you, adding once more my expression of love for each of you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen." (President Nelson, "Go Forward in Faith" General Conference. April, 2020).
4. Has priesthood authority to act in God's name.
Nephi: Helaman 10:6 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with afamine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people.
"I give you my solemn witness that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, and that President Russell M. Nelson is His anointed prophet upon the earth." (Neil L. Anderson, "The Prophet of God" General Conference, April 2018).
5. Declare the word of God (the gospel).
Nephi: Helaman 10: 11 And now behold, I command you, that ye shall go and declare unto this people, that thus saith the Lord God, who is the Almighty: Except ye repent ye shall be smitten, even unto adestruction.
"So tonight, my dear brothers and sisters, in the spirit of the sons of Mosiah, who gave themselves to much fasting and prayer,14 and as part of our April 2020 general conference, I am calling for another worldwide fast. For all whose health may permit, let us fast, pray, and unite our faith once again. " (President Nelson, "Opening the Heavens for Help" General Conference. April, 2020).
So what do prophets do? Reread the 5 things prophets do in bold above. Today, our prophet is President Russel M. Nelson. Every general conference, we get to hear from him and listen to his council. We get to sustain him as our prophet, seer, and revelator. Last conference he counseled us to fast and pray, to attend the temple, to remember the work of the prophet Joseph in the Restoration of the gospel, and to "Hear Him," that is to try and come closer to the Savior and hear what He has to say to each of us.
As we read the teachings of the prophets of old and hearken unto the counsel of our current prophet, we will be blessed.
Closing Song: "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" (Hymnal, )
Opening Song: "To Bring the World His Truth" (Children's Songbook, 172)
Opening Prayer:
Attention Activity: Show the optical illusion below. What animal did you see first? Did you see the other animal? Sometimes it's hard to change your perspective on a situation, but others often see things differently than we do. Show the meme below.
Just because you see a situation one way doesn't mean that everyone will. Sometimes a lack to see things from another's point of view can lead to disagreements. Sometimes we don't see the whole picture and we get offended when others don't see things our way. We have been counseled by the prophets to try to see multiple perspectives and not be easily offended.
Lesson: In the last few chapters of Alma, we read about a disagreement that Captain Moroni had with the chief judge, Pahoran. Moroni writes a letter to Pahoran saying that Moroni is angry with him for not sending more food, supplies, and reinforcements to help in their battle against the Lamanites. This letter is not subtle. Moroni makes it clear that he is furious with Pahoran. He calls him "slothful" and asks him, "Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren." (Alma 60:7) He accuses Pahoran of transgressing the laws of God and demands more aide. Read Alma 58:12. What impresses you about their reaction to the bad situation they're in? Well, what Moroni doesn't know is that Pahoran has not been sitting idly by. He has just survived a plot against his life. King-men have tried to kill him and overthrow the Nephite government. Pahoran writes back explaining to Nephi that these wicked men have led many of his reinforcements astray and they have driven Pahoran and the good Nephites out of Zarahemla. Now that you know what Pahoran was going through, what do you think his reaction was when he got a letter from Moroni scolding him for not sending more help? Read Alma 61:9. Pahoran could have been very angry and offended by Moroni's letter. Was he? No. He chose to give Moroni the benefit of the doubt. He rejoiced in the news that Moroni and his armies were well and asked that they join up with him in the land of Gideon so they can work together to overcome the challenges around them. How can we follow Pahoran and Moroni's example? Can we make the best of a bad situation and not loose heart? Can we choose not to be offended when someone hurts our feelings or wrongs us?
Watch the video "Choose Not to Be Offended" from Elder Bednar's talk "And Nothing Shall Offend Them" General Conference, Oct. 2006. Elder David A. Bednar taught: “In some way and at some time, someone in this Church will do or say something that could be considered offensive. Such an event will surely happen to each and every one of us—and it certainly will occur more than once. … You and I cannot control the intentions or behavior of other people. However, we do determine how we will act. Please remember that you and I are agents endowed with moral agency, and we can choose not to be offended” (“And Nothing Shall Offend Them,”EnsignorLiahona,Nov. 2006, 91).
Just like Elder Bednar said, there will come a time when someone in the church says or does something that is inconsiderate. We need to remember that the church and its members are made up of imperfect mortal people. We shouldn't let anything shake our testimony of the gospel.
Closing Song: "I'll Walk With You" (Children's Songbook, 140)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Aunt Julie's Peanut Butter Cookies 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. Peanut Butter
1 egg
1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
Mix sugars, shortening, peanut butter, and egg. Sift dry ingredients then add to mixture. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Press with fork for criss cross pattern or a snickers for snicker cookies.
August 17-23 Helaman 1-6 "The Rock of Our Redeemer" Materials: puzzle sheet (printed and cut out), picture of Christ, pictures of cycles (see below) Opening Song: "Scripture Power" (churchofjesuschrist.org) Opening Prayer: Scripture:Helaman 5:12
Attention Activity: Show the images below of different types of cycles: the life cycle and the water cycle. Today we are going to discuss a cycle that we read about in the scriptures and experience in the world around its and in our own attitudes. Lesson: In the first part of Helaman and other parts of the Book of Mormon we hear about how the Nephites go through periods of righteousness and wickedness. This is called the pride cycle. When the Nephites were righteous, the Lord blessed them with prosperity and success. Then they would become prideful and wicked. The Lord would then chasten them with hardships, trials, and suffering. When this happened, the Nephites would become humble and repent, asking God to help them. Show the disagram from the Come Follow Me Manual below.
When we talk about pride in the scriptures we are are referring to the sin of being "prideful" which is being selfish, self-centered, and arrogant. This is different from feeling pride for good things like taking "pride in your work" having school pride, being proud of your children, etc.
Read Helaman 3:33–34; 4:11–13. What examples of pride did we read about amounts the Nephites? What do you think happens when people act this way? What are some of the consequences of being prideful? (grow wicked, loose the companionship of the Holy Ghost, endure hardships, suffer, get destroyed)
Refer back to the chart pointing out that as people suffer and endure hardships, they often humble themselves praying to Heavenly Father for relief. They repent of their sins and come back to the Savior. This is one of the reasons Heavenly Father allows bad things to happen to us. But ideally we should not have to keep going through this cycle. A perfect person would not let pride and selfishness enter their hearts after they have been blessed by the Lord. So how do we stop the pride cycle?
In 2010 Elder Uchdorf gave a talk in General Conference called, "Pride and the Priesthood." We are going to learn more about pride by reading some quotes from his talk.
Activity: Picture Puzzle
Before the lesson have the puzzle pieces below cut out and taped to a picture of Christ. Family members will take turns taking off the pieces starting with #1. As they do, discuss each quotation with your family. Some talking points are listed below.
1. People who are prideful are self-centered and they are competitive the point where they can't be happy for other people's success. Have you ever found yourself bragging about your success to others or jealous when someone succeeded where you didn't?
3. Prideful people are often vain. Meaning they focus on how beautiful or handsome they are. They often wear fancy clothes (costly apparel) and focus on material wealth. 4. Pride is the gateway sin because it leads to others sins. Once pride enters your heart and you think you are better than others and deny the existence of God, your loose your moral compass. Pride leads to pretty much every sin that breaks the 10 commandments. 5.One important thing to remember is that we all have moments where we become prideful. Can you think of a time when you were selfish? What was the consequence? Did you feel better after you repented and said you were sorry? 6. The Lord often calls "the little guys" to act as his prophets in the scriptures like Moses and Joseph Smith. Moses wasn't really a good speaker and Joseph Smith hadn't had much schooling. Yet the Lord called them instead of "big shots" because they were humble and meek. He loves and trusts people who are humble.
8. The opposite of pride is humility--not self-consicousness and self-doubt. When we think badly of ourselves, those thoughts come from Satan. He wants us to feel worthless. Heavenly Father wants us to know our divine potential. So How can I break the pride cycle in myself and in my home? (Point to the picture of Christ that has been uncovered by the puzzle.) Christ is always the perfect example. Christ is God, He is all powerful and yet, He is totally humble. He gives glory to Heavenly Father. He never gloats or flaunts his power. He never let material wealth or position make him greedy and arrogant. Elder Uchtdorf said, "We must strive to be like the Savior. This means that in all things we seek to do the will of the Father, just as the Savior did. It means that we give all glory to the Father, just as the Savior did. It means that we lose ourselves in the service of others, just as the Savior did." Serving others is the key to avoiding pride. Focusing on the needs and feelings of others, trying to help them, and loving them makes someone more Christlike. When you focus on helping others, you will forget to focus on yourself.
"It is my prayer that we will recognize and root out unrighteous pride in our hearts and that we will replace it with “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, [and] meekness.”
August 3-9 Alma 43-52 "Stand fast in the faith of Christ" Materials: picture of the USA flag (or flag from your country), 1 sq. yard of fabric (see below), pole, permanent markers Opening Song: "We are all enlisted" (Hymns, 250) Opening Prayer: Scripture: Alma 46:20 Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and aenter into a covenant that they will bmaintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them.
Attention Activity: Show the United States flag (or if you live somewhere else the flag of your country). Why do we have a flag? What does the flag remind you of? The symbols and the colors on the flag are symbolic. They are supposed to remind us of special things. What do the colors and symbols on our flag mean? (For information on the US flag see here.)
Lesson: The plates passed from Alma the younger to his son, Helaman. The leader of the Nephite armies was 26 year-old Captain Moroni who just won a major battle against the armies of the Lamanites. Even though the Nephites were blessed with victory on the battlefield, there were still a lot of people who were prideful. A man named Amalickiah did not believe the words of Helaman and wanted to be king. He used flattering words to lead many others into wickedness. Many believed his words and left the church. Amalickiah wanted to destroy the church of God and their liberty. Captain Moroni did not want others to leave the church. He took his coat (like a cape or robe) and tore it to make a flag. He wrote on it, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." He fastened the fabric to the end of a pole and put on his armor. Then Captain Moroni prayed; he asked God for continued liberty as long as there were faithful Christians in the land. After his prayer, Moroni took his flag, which he called "the title of liberty," and he went out into the city waving the flag and showing it to the people. Read Alma 46:20. Captain Moroni wanted to remind the Nephites that they were blessed with freedom and liberty--that they should defend their freedom against would-be kings like Amalickiah. He wanted to remind them to keep the commandments that God may bless them. He asked them to make a covenant, or promise, to keep the commandments and not fall away from the church. Read Alma 46:21. Captain Moroni's title of liberty was effective. It led people to make their own covenants to keep the faith. Moroni gathered up all the people against Amalickiah, and he fled into the wilderness. The Nephites copied the title of liberty and they hoisted it above every tower in the land as a reminder of their covenants and their freedom. We have all been enlisted in a war--a war against Satan. We battle against sin and wickedness. We have been enlisted in the Lord's battalion by President Nelson and the prophets who have gone before him. We are armed with the word of God and our faith in Christ. Activity: Family Title of Liberty The Nephites needed a reminder of their faith. What reminds you of your faith in Christ? What reminds you to keep the commandments and hold to your covenants? Take a square yard piece of fabric (one that you can write on) and have your family decorate it with pictures and words that remind them to keep the commandments. After it is decorated, cut slits into the side of the fabric and tie it onto a pole. Display it in your home during the next week as a reminder of the lesson. Closing Song: "Whose on the Lord's Side" (Hymns, 260) Closing Prayer: Refreshment: Hawaiian Cheesecake Bars recipe here
