Come, Follow Me Teaching Ideas and Resources for October 2-8, 2023 {Ephesians}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for October 2-8, 2023.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET:   

These 1/2 page activity sheets are designed to be printed double-sided and cut in half.  They're geared for ages 8-14, but littler kids love the coloring pages and older kids/kids at heart often enjoy the activities.  They're perfect to use as attention getters or as reviews in your classes or families.  Our ward hands them out along with the sacrament program each week.


TEACHING IDEA:  WHO'S GOT YOUR BACK?:

The following  idea is taken from this Don't Miss This episode from around 45:00-49:00  into it.

 

I recommend listening to those few minutes at least as part of your teaching preparation.  

Read Ephesians 6:11-18 and have someone draw a man/woman  wearing the armor of God (with labels) as you read about the different parts of armor .  Art skills not required (as you can see above)!  haha!

After going through that and discussing a bit what each piece of protection might mean in their lives, then read at least the highlighted section of the quote by N. Eldon Tanner.  The full quote is listed in the quote section below (and is worth reading together if your audience has the attention span), but this part illustrates the point the most succinctly.

"Examine your armor. Is there an unguarded or unprotected place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. No matter how antiquated or lacking in parts your armor may be, always remember that it is within your power to make the necessary adjustments to complete your armor.

Through the great principle of repentance you can turn your life about and begin now clothing yourself with the armor of God through study, prayer, and a determination to serve God and keep his commandments."

Look at that picture of the man/woman in armor again and ask,

"What's protecting their back?"

Listen to their answers and then read Isaiah 58:8

Then discuss what it means for the Lord to have our backs and also what we can do to fortify those parts of our armor that may need strengthening.  

QUOTES:   

 "We all have different weaknesses and temptations, and we should examine our lives to find out what those weaknesses are and where we should put on extra armor so we can do what is right and not submit to temptation....

Are we studying the scriptures so that we can increase our knowledge and faith and testimony regarding the gospel? Do we keep the commandments? Are we honest and truthful in our dealings? Do we keep the Sabbath day holy? Do we observe the Word of Wisdom? Do we pay an honest tithing? Do we attend our meetings and respond to the calls made of us by our authorities? Are we virtuous and clean and pure in heart and mind and deed?

Do we fight against the evils around us—pornography, abortion, tobacco, alcohol, drugs? Do we have the courage to stand up for our convictions? Can we truly say we are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ? Do we live peaceably with our neighbors and avoid gossip and backbiting and spreading unfounded rumors? Do we truly love our neighbors as ourselves?

If we can answer yes to these questions, then we will have on the whole armor of God, which will protect us from harm and preserve us from our enemies. If we must answer no to these questions, then our armor is weak, there is an unshielded place which can be found, a vulnerable area for attack, and we will be subject to injury or destruction by Satan, who will search until he finds our weaknesses, if we have them.

Examine your armor. Is there an unguarded or unprotected place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. No matter how antiquated or lacking in parts your armor may be, always remember that it is within your power to make the necessary adjustments to complete your armor.

Through the great principle of repentance you can turn your life about and begin now clothing yourself with the armor of God through study, prayer, and a determination to serve God and keep his commandments."    "Put on the Whole Armor of God," N. Eldon Tanner, April 1979


"..we all need to repent. We need to get up off the couch, put down the remote, and wake up from our spiritual slumber. It is time to put on the full armor of God so we can engage in the most important work on earth. It is time to “thrust in [our] sickles, and reap with all [our] might, mind, and strength.” The forces of evil have never raged more forcefully than they do today. As servants of the Lord, we cannot be asleep while this battle rages.

Your family needs your leadership and love. Your... ward or branch need your strength. And all who meet you need to know what a true disciple of the Lord looks like and acts like."  "We Can Do and Be Better," Russell M. Nelson, April 2019

VIDEOS: 

Ephesians 6:  The Armor of God  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mawX1wFJZN4

Ephesians 4:  Unity of the Faith  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67k0spz0gNE


Ephesians 2:  Ye Are No More Strangers  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIWuVYZQhsQ

ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

CFM Teaching Resources and Ideas for Sept 25-Oct 1, 2023 {Galatians}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for September 25 - October 1, 2023.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET:   


These 1/2 page activity sheets are designed to be printed double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect to use as an introduction or review to a lesson in a primary or Sunday School class or in your family.  Our ward uses them as a handout along with the sacrament programs.  

 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT OBJECT LESSON AND SNACK:  This link has a super fun idea for teaching about the fruits of the spirit {Galatians 5:22-23} and relating it to our daily lives.  I think this taste test and lesson would be a great attention getter in a classroom.    

QUOTES:   

"Enjoying the fruits of the gospel should not make us arrogant and aloof, but it should set us apart from the world in much of our conduct.

It is, perhaps, well in these times, when so many of the fundamental truths of the Restoration and the validity of the Lord’s work are being challenged, that we ask ourselves to what degree our conduct sets us apart and manifests the fruits of the gospel. In our homes and in our families, are we enjoying and qualifying for the love and support of family members? In our business dealings, are we fair and honest and prompt in meeting our obligations; is our word as good as our bond? Are our private and innermost thoughts free from the contaminations of the world? Do they reflect our absolute loyalty and fidelity to those with whom we have made eternal vows? Are we nourishing through prayer and a regular study of the Lord’s revealed truths the spiritual and moral strength which is required in today’s environment? In the entertainment and recreation we seek, are we keeping ourselves unspotted from the world and in harmony with the Lord’s holy Sabbath? Are we generous with our means and inclined to be serviceable to others? Do we acknowledge our faults and shortcomings and seek forgiveness from those whom we have wronged or offended?

Let me repeat again that those who do the Lord’s work demonstrate it by the fruits of their labors. Analyzing and criticizing others, either from a historical perspective or from what we may view of a contemporary life, will be of little consequence unless it balances with the Lord’s assessment." 
"By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them," Dean Larsen, October 1985

"Sometimes the divine witness comes in the burning of the bosom (see Luke 24:32). On other occasions, the doctrine we hear is “delicious” to us, meaning it tastes good spiritually (see Alma 32:28). In other words, we do not need external evidence to verify these truths or logic to prove them — we just “know.”  

Paul defined other fruits of the Spirit as “joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith” (Galatians 5:22). When any of these virtues or impressions envelop our hearts or minds, it is a witness from God that what we are listening to, what we are feeling, is from Him. " 
"How Can We Teach Our Children to Recognize the Spirit?," Ted Callister, Church News, January 2021

VIDEO: 

Fruit of the Spirit:  Latter Day Kids   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GZjFNTJUL4

FUN RESOURCE: 
Family Night Fun:  Fruits of the Spirit

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/friend/2019/09/family-night-fun?lang=eng#p4


ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!