CFM for April 24-30, 2023 {John 7-10}

 This post contains teaching ideas, quotes, and other resources for the CFM reading for April 24-30, 2023.   

Out of all the titles Christ is given in the scriptures, "The Good Shepherd" is one of my favorites.  It's a name that invokes the thought of a gentle, yet humble leader who leads His followers with love and watchfulness.   

See here for the catalog of other Come, Follow Me posts.

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY PAGE:   {Christ is the Good Shepherd coloring page, scripture activity from the CFM manual} 

These printable activity sheets are designed to be easy to hand out with the sacrament programs.  They're also perfect as an attention getter in a Primary, Seminary, or Sunday School class and they  also make for great conversation starters about different topics found in this week's CFM reading.   If you use them, leave me a comment and let me know how it goes.  :) 

OBJECT LESSON:  
Hold up a picture of a pet (or if you have a pet, just show the real thing).   Have your group discuss the effort it takes to take care of a pet.   They'll have to feed it, make sure it gets exercise, makes sure it doesn't get lost, etc.  Now ask what they would do if their beloved pet ran out into the street.  Of course, they would go after it and bring him safely home.   Would they be angry?  Frustrated, maybe.  Worried, yes.  But, not angry.  

Now relate taking care of a pet to a shepherd taking care of its sheep.    The sheep need to go where there is food and water available.  They need to be watched over to make sure they don't wander off.  They need to to all be gathered safely back in at the end of the day.   Etcetera. 

Now talk about Christ is our Good Shepherd.  Discuss what that means.  He wants us all to be spiritually safe.  He doesn't judge us for messing up or getting ourselves into dangerous situations.  He might be worried and even a little frustrated, but not angry.  And never ever not welcoming.  He is always there with open, welcoming arms to bring us back to safety.  

QUOTES ABOUT CHRIST AS THE GOOD SHEPHERD: 

"Our Good Shepherd is unchanging and feels the same way today about sin and sinners as He did when He walked the earth. He does not recoil from us because we sin, even if He on occasion must think, “But what a sheep!” He loves us so much that He provided the way for us to repent and become clean so we can return to Him and our Heavenly Father.32 In doing so, Jesus Christ also set the example for us to follow—to show respect to all and hatred toward none.    As His disciples, let us fully mirror His love and love one another so openly and completely that no one feels abandoned, alone, or hopeless. I testify that Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd, who loves and cares for us. He knows us and laid down His life for His sheep.33 He also lives for us and wants us to know Him and exercise faith in Him. I love and adore Him, and I am profoundly grateful for Him..."

Dale Renlund, "Our Good Shepherd," April 2017 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/our-good-shepherd?lang=eng



"As our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ calls us in His voice and His name. He seeks and gathers us. He teaches us how to minister in love. Let us consider these three themes, beginning with Him calling us in His voice and His name.   First, our Good Shepherd “calleth his own sheep by name. … They know his voice.”6 And “in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ.”7 As we seek with real intent to follow Jesus Christ, inspiration comes to do good, to love God, and to serve Him.8 As we study, ponder, and pray; as we regularly renew sacramental and temple covenants; and as we invite all to come to His gospel and ordinances, we are hearkening to His voice."
Gerrit Gong, "Good Shepherd, Lamb of God," April 2019   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2019/05/53gong?lang=eng

VIDEOS: 


The Good Shepherd and Other Sheep I Have:    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-10-0059-the-good-shepherd-and-other-sheep-i-have?lang=eng 

Good Shepherd Children's Story (this isn't a church video, but it's a sweet  (very appropriate) video made by a family that owns sheep)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvi5N_y-910 

Enjoy learning the gospel together!  

Come Follow Me Printable Page and Teaching Ideas for April 17-23, 2023 {Matthew 18; Luke 10}

Below you will find an original printable activity page and some teaching ideas to go along with the CFM reading for April 17-23, 2023.   There are a ton of different topics in this reading, but I focused in on the ones that stood out to me.   Enjoy learning the gospel together! 

See here for the catalog of other Come, Follow Me posts. 

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY PAGE {forgiveness, coloring page, fill-in-the-blank scripture, spot the difference, good Samaritan}.  The coloring page and the spot-the-difference activity are from the church website, the rest is original  :  

These printable activity pages are original and only found here at The Golden Seven.  They can be used as review or conversation starters for the topics found in the CFM reading each week.  


LESSON IDEAS: 

QUOTE ON CHOOSING THE BETTER PART: (Luke 10:38-42)
"We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.

Jesus taught this principle in the home of Martha. While she was “cumbered about much serving” (Luke 10:40), her sister, Mary, “sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” . When Martha complained that her sister had left her to serve alone, Jesus commended Martha for what she was doing, but taught her that “one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” . It was praiseworthy for Martha to be “careful and troubled about many things” , but learning the gospel from the Master Teacher was more “needful.” The scriptures contain other teachings that some things are more blessed than others ....

As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.

Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best. When the Lord told us to seek learning, He said, “Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom” "
 Dallin H Oaks, "Good Better Best", Oct. 2007)   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/10/good-better-best?lang=eng 


"Therefore, it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions. …. My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.”  Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world."  

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things that Matter Most", October 2010, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng 

VIDEO ON MOMENTS THAT MATTER MOST:  

What Matters Most:  


 https://youtu.be/l70e1TfN34w

Moments that Matter Most 

https://youtu.be/KYhDhiojBPA

 

Come, Follow Me Teaching Ideas for April 10-16, 2023 {Matthew 15-17; Mark 7-9}

Each week I gather ideas and resources for teaching about the Come, Follow Me reading.   The activity pages are created by me (though the artwork generally comes from the church website) and most of the other ideas are collected from different places on the internet.   This week I really focused in on the keys of the priesthood.  Enjoy learning the gospel together!   :) 

Matthew 15-17 and Mark 7-9  

See here for the catalog of other Come, Follow Me posts. 

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY PAGE (original word puzzle, priesthood keys, Mount of Transfiguration coloring page, fill-in-the-blank scripture): 

These activity pages are perfect for reviewing or introducing some of the topics found in the CFM reading each week.  Some people like to hand them out with the sacrament programs, others use them as an attention activity in their classrooms, and others use them as a conversation starter in their families.   In any case, I hope you enjoy learning about the priesthood each week! 


OBJECT LESSON: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc-LHq7cnTU

VIDEOS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peuQPUwOWys

Another one from the church website:   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-07-0370-the-keys-of-the-priesthood?lang=eng&alang=eng


QUOTE ABOUT PRIESTHOOD KEYS:  

"If you are like me, you may often find yourself in daily life asking, “Where are the keys” to the car, the office, the house or apartment? When this happens to me, I can’t help but smile inside, for as I am looking for the keys, I find myself reflecting on restored priesthood keys and on President Thomas S. Monson, whom we sustain “as prophet, seer, and revelator” and as the only person on earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys. Yes, the keys are safely in the possession of prophets, seers, and revelators. They are conferred, delegated, and assigned to others in accordance with the Lord’s will, under the direction of the President of the Church.

I testify that priesthood authority and priesthood keys start the engine, open the gates of heaven, facilitate heavenly power, and pave the covenant pathway back to our loving Heavenly Father.

I pray that you, the rising generation of young men and young women, will “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ,” that you may understand that it is your sacred privilege to act under the direction of those who hold the priesthood keys that will unlock blessings, gifts, and powers of heaven for you."
{Elder Gary E. Stevenson, "What Are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood", April 2016,

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/04/where-are-the-keys-and-authority-of-the-priesthood?lang=eng}


GOOD BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT PRIESTHOOD KEYS:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2012/05/priesthood-keys?lang=eng

ANOTHER GREAT RESOURCE: 
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2007/12/holding-priesthood-keys?lang=eng 

CFM Activity Page and Teaching Ideas for April 3 - 9, 2023 {EASTER}

 The New Testament is all about Jesus and Easter is all about Jesus, which means that this week's Come, Follow Me studies is doubly all about Jesus.   See below for some great resources to help you bring the spirit of Christ into your Easter season!  

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY PAGE --including an Easter word search, coloring page, and scripture fill-in-the-blank.  These activity pages are great for handing out with the sacrament programs, as attention activities in classrooms, or as a fun discussion starter for your families as you talk about the CFM reading:   


OBJECT LESSON:  
1.  This takes a good deal of prep work and effort, but having an Easter Seder with your family would be a unique and powerful way to talk about the Atonement.  We did this as part of a Sunday School class a few years ago and loved how visual and hands-on it was.   https://powerofmoms.com/easter-seder-a-new-spin-on-an-old-tradition/

2.  This Easter Walk with Jesus would require much less prep and it was something my kids loved when they were young.  https://thegoldenseven.blogspot.com/2011/04/take-easter-walk-with-jesus.html

QUOTES:  

"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made …, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines." – Jeffrey R. Holland

"No mortal can cry out, "He does not understand my plight, for my trials are unique." There is nothing outside the scope of the Savior's experience. As Elder Maxwell observed, "None of us can tell Chrsit anything about depression." As a result of his mortal experience, culminating in the Atonement, the Savior knows, understands, and feels every human condition, every human woe, and every human loss. He can comfort as no other. He can life burdens as no other. He can listen as no other. There is no hurt he cannot soothe, rejection he cannot assuage, loneliness he cannot console. Whatever affliction the world casts at us, he has a remedy of superior healing power." Tad R Callister, Infinite Atonement

"Each of us will taste the bitter ashes of life, from sin and neglect to sorrow and disappointment. But the atonement of Christ can lift us up in beauty from our ashes on the wings of a sure promise of immortality and eternal life. He will thus lift us up, not only at the end of life, but in each day of our lives." Bruce Hafen

VIDEOS:
The Peace and Hope of Easter from President Nelson:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bACX8BXHuEs


 
Lifting Burdens:  The Atonement of Christ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coef8G5ax6E 

An Apostle's Easter Thoughts on Christ:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc  

Church Bible Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAuaSpJ7zGs 

OTHER RESOURCES:  
See here for the catalog of other Come, Follow Me posts and here are some other Easter posts I have--including an Easter Walk with Jesus, a fun Symbols of Easter lesson, an Easter coloring book, a couple lessons on the Atonement (#1 {better for kids}, #2 {good for older kids/teens})

Have a wonderful Easter!   

Come, Follow Me Teaching Ideas for March 27 - April 2, 2023 {Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 5-6}

Hello, Come Follow Me friends!   

I'm back with another round of teaching ideas and an original activity page to go along with each week's CFM reading.   Our studies in April are full of some of the most memorable and meaningful moments of Christ's life, so I don't try to cover every topic and event, but rather spotlight some of the ones that stood out to me the most.   

See here for the catalog of my other Come, Follow Me posts.  

Here are some resources for the readings for March 27 - April 2, 2023, which include Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 5-6. 

I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY PAGE (includes an original crossword puzzle, a coloring page from the church website, and a fill-in-the-blank scripture).  These are great for handing out to accompany the sacrament programs, as an attention activity in a Sunday School or Primary class, or as a fun review with your family.    Enjoy!  

OBJECT LESSON:  
Serve a meal with some form of bread (even if it's gluten free) as a side.   Spaghetti or soup would be especially good.  Make sure to mention during the meal how much the bread completes the meal and makes it even better and helps us to be fuller.   Then read John 6:35 and talk about how Jesus is the bread of life.  When we make time for Christ in our lives every day, He blesses us and makes us better than we could be on our own.  Then talk about how we even use bread to remember Christ during the sacrament each Sunday, so we can remember that it is through Him that we can have the fullness of eternal life.  

QUOTES:  

"The symbolism of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is beautiful to contemplate. The bread and water represent the flesh and blood of Him who is the Bread of Life and the Living Water, poignantly reminding us of the price He paid to redeem us. As the bread is broken, we remember the Savior’s torn flesh. Elder Dallin H. Oaks once observed that “because it is broken and torn, each piece of bread is unique, just as the individuals who partake of it are unique. We all have different sins to repent of. We all have different needs to be strengthened through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom we remember in this ordinance.” As we drink the water, we think of the blood He shed in Gethsemane and on the cross and its sanctifying power. Knowing that “no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom,” we resolve to be among “those who have washed their garments in [the Savior’s] blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.”
{Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "The Living Bread Which Came Down From Heaven", General Conference, Oct 2017, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/the-living-bread-which-came-down-from-heaven?lang=eng }  


"Knowing that Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life—the way by which all can receive eternal life—we have an important responsibility. We should seek to help people come to Him and partake of His word, like the people who were filled with the loaves and fishes. Our friends may not know they are hungry in spirit. They may try to consume many things to satisfy their spiritual hunger, and as a result, they may feel frustrated and lost. Let us help them know how they can be spiritually filled—by coming unto Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life." 
 {Elder Won Yong Ko, "Lessons from the New Testament: Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life,"  March 2007 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2007/03/lessons-from-the-new-testament-jesus-christ-the-bread-of-life?lang=eng}

VIDEOS: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vci5QPRvSQk

From Elder Christofferson on why we need to make Christ our "daily bread":   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJKmXtoMI5s

What resources have you found?   Share them here in the comments!   

Enjoy learning the gospel together!  

Printable Cards of the General Relief Society Presidents (March 2023)

We recently had a RS activity commemorating the birthday of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We had a great dinner, a speaker, and a decorate-your-own cupcake activity with a message.  

For the decor, we had flowers, balloons, and placed pictures of each of the General RS presidents on the tables on these small easels.  It was classy looking (though I took no pictures) and it was a great way to keep with the theme.

 I couldn't find anything current like this on any other website, including the church's, so I decided to share them here with you.  Hope it saves you some time and effort if you're looking for something similar.