CFM Printable Activity Sheet for Genesis 37-41; Joseph of Egypt LESSON PLAN (Mar 15)

  These original activity sheets that align with the Come, Follow Me lessons each week are totally free and easy to print from a Google Doc file.   They're designed to print double-sided 2-to-a-page and are perfect for introducing or reviewing the concepts from the Come, Follow Me lesson.  Our home ward hands them out along with the sacrament programs on Sundays, others use them in their family or Sunday School lessons.  I hope they add an element of fun to your gospel learning and help to engage even the most reluctant learners.  Make sure to come back each week for the latest!   

This activity sheet is based on the CFM lesson for March 15th and contains a coloring sheet, word search puzzle, and fill-in-the-blank scripture.   

*NOTE:  See the post for March 22nd with another coloring sheet and activity page to go with Joseph of Egypt.   
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"THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH"

Last time we studied the Old Testament for Come, Follow Me, my husband and I were youth Sunday School teachers.  It was the first time we'd had a calling that we did together and we enjoyed the opportunity to study and teach together.  We worked really hard to keep the focus of our class on Christ and how the lessons applied to us in modern times.   What worked for our class may not work for yours, but I encourage you to not get caught up so much in the story or history, but find a way to make it mean something.   This lesson plan was one I've adapted from that time here for the blog.   

LESSON PLAN IDEAS 
We taught the youngest class of 12-13 year olds, so we always threw in some games and light-hearted aspects to the lesson, to keep them engaged.  (ITEMS NEEDED:  scriptures, slips of paper, writing utensils) 

SNOWMAN OR OTHER WORD GAME TO INTRODUCE MAIN TOPICS FROM LESSON
{or spotlight them from the word search below}
(Snowman is a politically correct version of "hangman" where you'll add a part of the snowman for every wrong guess and the goal is to guess the words before it's complete )  
 
Set up the chalkboard with SNOWMAN with these 4 words:
1. FORGIVENESS (11 letters),
2. TEMPTATION (10 letters),
3. PRAYER (6 letters),
4. CHRIST (6 letters)

After they guess the 4 words, talk about how today's lesson is going to be about Joseph's story from the Old Testament and then you'll find a way to connect each of those words from the story with a modern day application. 

Take turns having members of the class pick the next word to discuss.  Below I've included some potential questions to ask, activities, and scriptures to read for each word.  If you're running low on time, prioritize talking about Christ. 

PRAYER
What kind of person was Joseph? Faithful. What do you think Joseph did when he was thrown into a pit by his own brothers? What about when he was sold? What about when he was a servant? When he was falsely accused and imprisoned for doing something he didn’t do? Joseph prays for deliverance.

What would have happened if God had answered Joseph’s prayers the way that he had expected?

Share story of praying to find out the right thing for our family. It really seemed like the right thing, but I got an unexpected NO answer. 

TEMPTATION
What are some of the temptations that Joseph faced? What did he do?

What kinds of temptations do we face today? HAND OUT PIECE OF PAPER AND PEN and have everyone write one thing that tempts them 

Go through each item (anonymously) and talk about ways to avoid that temptation .

Not just get away from temptation, but sometimes we need to fill our lives with good things

Have someone recite the 13th article of faith and relate it to temptation

FORGIVENESS

ASK FOR A VOLUNTEER:  to recount some of the wrongs that had been committed against Joseph 
(sold into Egypt, coat was stolen, accused of wrongdoing and thrown into prison, etc) 

SOME SCRIPTURES TO READ/DISCUSS: 
Genesis 37:3-4 – (Joseph’s family before forgiveness)
Genesis 45: 9-10, 14-15 (Joseph’s family after forgiveness)
45: 7-8 (Joseph recognizes that God’s purposes were at play)
50:20-21 (Joseph recognizes that God’s purposes were at play)

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:  
What role did forgiveness play in the change in Joseph’s family?
How might things have turned out differently if Joseph had not been willing to forgive?

You might invite class members to suggest ways this story could help families today overcome contention and jealousy.

What are the benefits of forgiveness? 

If inspired, share a personal story of forgiveness: 


CHRIST
Joseph becomes a TYPE of Christ.  Explain what a "type of Christ" is if they don't know. 

Joseph is a type of Christ in 7 ways:
 1. 1st born of his mother
2. beloved by his father
3. betrayed
4.  avoids temptation
5.  gets accused of things he didn’t do
6. washes feet of brothers (Genesis 43:24)
7.  both end up being deliverers (Genesis 45: 4-5)


INTERESTING FACT:  
It was about 22 years between when brothers sold Joseph to when they saw him again.

QUESTION TO PONDER:
How have I seen God’s purpose in my life? 

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AN ORIGINAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET ON GOOGLE DRIVE (in case it's not showing below):  

Enjoy learning the gospel together.   

Come, Follow Me Original Printable Activity Sheet for Genesis 24-33; The Story of Jacob with Lesson Ideas{Mar 8}

  These original activity sheets that align with the Come, Follow Me lessons each week are totally free and easy to print from a Google Doc file.   They're designed to print double-sided 2-to-a-page and are perfect for introducing or reviewing the concepts from the Come, Follow Me lesson.  Our home ward hands them out along with the sacrament programs on Sundays, others use them in their family or Sunday School lessons.  I hope they add an element of fun to your gospel learning and help to engage even the most reluctant learners.  Make sure to come back each week for the latest!   

This activity sheet is based on the CFM lesson for March 8th and contains a coloring sheet, crossword puzzle, and fill-in-the-blank scripture.   

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"Let God Prevail" I
I love President Nelson's talk, "Let God Prevail," and have found myself pondering over what that means in my life many times since he delivered it.  As with most concepts, it's easier said than done, but in retrospect I have to admit that God's plan is always better than my own.   

If you're looking for some ideas for teaching a lesson, here are the lesson notes I have from when we taught it to a youth Sunday School class back in 2022.   It's a very loose plan, so forgive any errors, but perhaps it can be helpful.  

LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM JACOB'S STORY:  

1.  God keeps his promises
2.  We are better with Christ than on our own

LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM JACOB'S LADDER: 

Lesson #1: GOD USES IMPERFECT PEOPLE TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS 
God sees us where we are, meets us there, and lifts us to be better 
1 Nephi 11:16-22 - Condescension of Christ

Lesson #2: God’s Purpose and Plan Is Always Better than Ours

Lesson #3: God Wants to Get Our Attention

Lesson #4: God Wants Trust and Obedience

QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1.  Why is it important that we are of the House of Israel?  (We are participants in the Abrahamic covenant, Our posterity will continue to be blessed, We are walking with Christ and can help others be blessed)
2.  What does it mean to let God prevail in your lives? Think of specific examples.

QUOTES FROM "LET GOD PREVAIL"                                                                                                

QUOTE #1–“If you have sincere questions about the gospel or the Church, as you choose to let God prevail, you will be led to find and understand the absolute, eternal truths that will guide your life and help you stay firmly on the covenant path.

When you are faced with temptation—even if the temptation comes when you are exhausted or feeling alone or misunderstood—imagine the courage you can muster as you choose to let God prevail in your life and as you plead with Him to strengthen you.

When your greatest desire is to let God prevail, to be part of Israel, so many decisions become easier. So many issues become nonissues! You know how best to groom yourself. You know what to watch and read, where to spend your time, and with whom to associate. You know what you want to accomplish. You know the kind of person you really want to become.” President Nelson

QUOTE #2–”Now, my dear brothers and sisters, it takes both faith and courage to let God prevail. It takes persistent, rigorous spiritual work to repent and to put off the natural man through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.19 It takes consistent, daily effort to develop personal habits to study the gospel, to learn more about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and to seek and respond to personal revelation.” President Nelson

SCRIPTURE LIST:

Proverbs 3:5-6– Trust in the Lord

Genesis 27:41-43– How Esau felt about Jacob

Genesis 28:10-15 –all about Jacob’s dream with the ladder

Gen. 32:28-30–Jacob’s name is changed

Gen. 33:1-4, 8-10–Jacob and Esau are reunited!

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PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET 

Click here to access the activity page on Google Drive.  



Have fun learning the gospel together!  

What is the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood? Lesson Plan, Resources, and a CFM Activity Sheet for D&C 84 (August 3)

 This blogpost features a lesson plan about teaching about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, along with some resources and an original activity sheet to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  July 28-August 3,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 84.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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WHAT IS THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD?
This lesson plan was designed to teach to a mixed group of males and females or just to females.  It  will likely be way too much information for one lesson, so prayerfully adjust it to the attention span and understanding of your group. 

DISCUSSION STARTER:  

ASK YOUR STUDENTS TO NAME SOME THINGS WITH WORLDLY POWER:  
Some potential examples could be:  waterfalls, certain people, tornado, superheroes, fast cars, dams, hurricanes, etc.  There are no wrong answers.

ASK:  HOW DO PEOPLE OF THE WORLD GAIN POWER?   
 By having lots of money, by being loud, by stepping on people's toes, by being charismatic speakers, etc. 


SHOW PICTURE OF THE PLANET EARTH--

READ THIS QUOTE:
 “Brothers and sisters, the power by which the heavens and earth were and are created is the priesthood…Not only is the priesthood the power by which the heavens and the earth were created, but it is also the power the Savior used in His mortal ministry to perform miracles, to bless and heal the sick, to bring the dead to life, and, as our Father’s Only Begotten Son, to endure the unbearable pain of Gethsemane and Calvary—thus fulfilling the laws of justice with mercy and providing an infinite Atonement…The same priesthood power that created worlds, galaxies, and the universe can and should be part of our lives to succor, strengthen, and bless our families, our friends, and our neighbors—in other words, to do the things that the Savior would do if He were ministering among us today.” M. Russell Ballard


WRITE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ON THE BOARD: 
Motherhood
Fatherhood
Childhood
Neighborhood

ASK:   WHAT DO YOU THINK THE SUFFIX "HOOD" MEANS?  

ANSWER (in case no one knows): Hood = Added as a suffix to a word it shows a current condition or state. 

RELATE TO THE WORDS ON THE BOARD:  

Motherhood = A condition or state of being a Mother
Fatherhood = A condition or state of being a Father
Childhood = A condition or state of being a child
Neighborhood = The condition or state of being neighbors in a proximity

ASK:  CONSIDERING THIS, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE WORD PRIESTHOOD MEANS?  

ANSWER: The quality or state of being a Priest.

ASK: WHAT IS A PRIEST?   

LOOK UP: “Priest” in the Bible Dictionary and read the first sentence together.

DISCUSS THE CONCEPT:   Priests are mediators between us and God. Through their various (and very organized) duties, they help save us.

RELATE IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEFINITION: 
Priesthood = The condition or state of being mediators between man and God and helping save us.

READ QUOTE: 
“We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties.” Dallin H. Oaks 

READ ABOUT THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD in the scriptures:  

Doctrine and Covenants 84:35-40 (Oath and the Covenant)

 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;  For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.  Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

WATCH THIS ~4 MINUTE VIDEO ABOUT THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD AND HOW IT APPLIES TO MEN AND WOMEN (or if your group is too young, then summarize it) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAPACYiU-DQ&t=18s


READ THIS QUOTE:  
“A man may open the drapes so the warm sunlight comes into the room, but the man does not own the sun or the light or the warmth it brings. The blessings of the priesthood are infinitely greater than the one who is asked to administer the gift.” Neil L. Andersen

SUMMARIZE A FEW CONCEPTS OF THE OATH AND COVENANT:  

We receive the holy priesthood by an “oath and covenant.” This means that Heavenly Father gives us His oath (guarantee) that we can have the power and blessings of the priesthood if we covenant (promise) with Him to do certain things. “Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of [the] Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved” (D&C 84:40).  Elder Paul B. Pieper taught: “It is interesting that in the oath and covenant of the priesthood , the Lord uses the verbs obtain and receive. He does not use the verb ordain. It is in the temple that men and women—together—obtain and receive the blessings and power of both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods”. In verse 38, it says that we can obtain ALL that the Father hath and that is a promise to men and women! 

HARK  BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE LESSON AND TALK ABOUT HOW THE PRIESTHOOD HELPS US BECOME POWERFUL IN GOD'S EYES:   

FINISH UP WITH THIS QUOTE 
"...We must each walk through life on our own, we don’t have to do it alone. Four principles explain why:

First, God wants a powerful people.

Second, He gives His power to those who are faithful.

Third, we have a sacred obligation to seek after the power of God and then to use that power as He directs.

Fourth, when we have the power of God with us, nothing is impossible.

I repeat, God wants a powerful people. Ammon taught that “a man may have great power given him from God”, and Nephi prophesied that we of the latter days would be “armed with . . . the power of God in great glory”.  There are many evidences that God wants a powerful people. This is one reason that at baptism we become eligible to receive “the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost”  and the privilege of constant access to the third member of the Godhead.  This is one reason that 12-year-old boys may be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, which holds “the key of the ministering of angels” .This is one reason every worthy adult may go to the temple, from which he or she emerges surrounded and protected by God’s power.  God wants a powerful people. No one better understands that Satan is real and that he has power. No one better understands that none of us is smart enough or resilient enough to spar with Satan and survive spiritually."  Sheri Dew

 AN ORIGINAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)


These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them...especially when it's a word search! 


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Make sure to bookmark this site and come back each week and check out my Come, Follow Me resources and activity sheets!  

Enjoy learning the gospel together!

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Giving Your Best Effort to the Lord: Resource Page, Lesson Ideas, and a CFM Activity Sheet D&C 71-75 (July 6)

This blogpost features a resource page and some lesson ideas, along with a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  June 30 - July 6, which includes Doctrine and Covenants 71-75.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

NOTE:  I am trying to decide whether it's worth the effort to continue doing these CFM posts for the second half of the year, so if you find these posts meaningful, PLEASE let me know.  They're getting challenging to keep up with and I need just a little feedback to know whether they're worth my time.  If you have constructive feedback on how I can improve them, I welcome that as well.  Thank you!   

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I CAN GIVE MY BEST EFFORT TO THE LORD:
There were several different directions to go with this week's reading, but the one that stood out to me the most, was about how we can give our best effort to the Lord. We all go through seasons of life when our efforts may seem exceedingly "small and simple," but the point is that you keep trying.  Christ multiplies our efforts and blesses us for trying!  Below, you will find teaching ideas and some resources as you study and prepare for your lesson or talk on this topic. 

"THE LORD'S MATH" OBJECT LESSON: 

MATERIALS NEEDED:
1. A small enough treat that you can give several to each child (but keep them in the original packaging for now)--this could be something like gummy bears, teddy grahams, M&Ms, skittles, etc.

2.  a container for the treats, but do NOT put anything into it for now

To get started:  Tell everyone you brought a treat to share with them.   Show them the bag of whatever you brought, then tell them that you are going to share some with them. 

Pretend to pour some treats into your bowl and announce, "I poured ZERO treats into this bowl to share with you.  Now hold out your hand and I'll share  ZERO treats with each of you."

When they protest, say something like "What does zero times zero equal?  Oh yeah, zero times zero is zero.  Now let me put 7 treats in here (or however many it takes so there is one for each person)."  

Then very dramatically give them each one treat and have them READ THE SCRIPTURE:  .  
"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."  Alma 37:6

Now pour out the whole bag and let everyone have a small handful of treats, and talk about  how when we don't put anything into the bowl, there was nothing to share and we all got zero treats from it.  BUT THE MORE YOU PUT INTO IT, THE MORE TREATS YOU GET FROM IT.    AND THE LORD BLESSES EVEN OUR SMALL EFFORTS TO DO BETTER!  

Now relate that to BLESSINGS and the relationship they have to our  EFFORT.    The more effort we give to righteous tasks, the more blessings we receive.   When we throw up our hands and say something is too hard (or that we're too busy) without really trying, we are forgoing the blessings that we could be receiving.   On the other hand, the Lord blesses us even when our efforts are SMALL and SIMPLE!    This is the Lord's math!  

VIDEOS: 
The Lord Loves Effort from President Nelson (short video clip)


Bastian the Baby Elephant Learns to Work Hard by Latter-Day Kids

SCRIPTURES: 
"Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might..." D&C 75:3

QUOTES:
“by small means the Lord can bring about great things.” One home evening, one gospel conversation, or one good example may not change your child’s life in a moment, any more than one drop of rain causes a plant immediately to grow. But the consistency of small and simple things, day after day, nourishes your children much better than an occasional flood.”   Elder Uchtdorf

“Your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All He asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart. Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. The Father and His Beloved Son will send the Holy Ghost as your companion to guide you. Your efforts will be magnified in the lives of the people you serve.” President Henry B. Eyring

TALKS TO STUDY:
Two Principles for Any Economy by Elder Uchtdorf (Oct 2009)
In the Path of Their Duty by Elder Bednar (Oct 2023)

SONG:
"I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go," Hymns, #270  (this version is so pretty and would be appropriate to show in a church setting)
https://youtu.be/XS17lrLxxrg?si=ONOfp95JFdU8jUBt

ORIGINAL ACTIVITY SHEET: 

THIS WEEK'S PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)


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Be sure to come back every week for more Come, Follow Me resources. 

Enjoy learning the Gospel together!  💗

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Resources and Ideas for Teaching about Centering Your Life on Christ, Plus a Prinable Activity Sheet for D&C 67-70 ( CFM--Jun 29)

        This blogpost features some resources for your personal study or if you are preparing a talk or lesson on Centering Your Life in Christ.  Also included is a  half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for June 23-29, which includes D&C 67-70.    Click here for an index
and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks. 

NOTE:  I am trying to decide whether it's worth the effort to continue doing these CFM posts for the second half of the year, so if you find these posts meaningful, PLEASE let me know.  They're getting challenging to keep up with and I need just a little feedback to know whether they're worth my time.  If you have constructive feedback on how I can improve them, I welcome that as well.  Thank you!   

CENTERING YOUR LIFE IN CHRIST

Below you will find some ideas and resources that you can use in your personal study for preparing a talk or a lesson on Centering Your Life on Christ. 

OBJECT LESSON IDEA:

Oreo Object Lesson (adapted from this website)

Materials Needed:  Enough  Oreos for everyone in your class, plus at least one extra.

1. Show your class some Oreos

2. Eat the filling of an Oreo.

3. Put the two chocolate cookies back together.

4. Show your class the reassembled, empty sandwich cookie, ASK: Is this an Oreo?

5. Let your class respond.

If they determine that the answer is  "no," ASK: Why not?  (she will probably say, because it has no filling/stuffing)

If she says "yes," ASK: How it is still an Oreo? (point out that there is no filling)

6. Based on your class’s reply, respond to their thoughts.

7. ASK:  How is an Oreo that has no filling like a life without Jesus?

8. Respond based on your class’s response.

We can have good, strong values and things might look good from the outside,  but we are missing the full sweetness of the Gospel if we don't make time for Christ in our lives every day.   Just as an Oreo cookie isn’t an Oreo without the stuff in the middle, a person can't be their best selves without  Jesus as the center!

9. READ:  Proverbs 3:5-6  and  THIS QUOTE AND DISCUSS WHAT  IT MEANS TO LEAN AWAY FROM CHRIST: 

“In English the word lean has a connotation of physically listing or moving to one side. When we physically lean toward one side or another, we move off center, we are out of balance, and we tip. When we spiritually lean to our own understanding, we lean away from our Savior. If we lean, we are not centered; we are not balanced; we are not focused on Christ.” Bonnie Cordon

10. CONCLUDE:   Bear your testimony about how our lives are better with Christ.  Christ gives us strength and we are missing out when we do not prioritize our relationship with him.  

SCRIPTURES: 

D&C 68:25 (parents should teach children to understand the principles of the Gospel, including faith in Jesus)
Mark 8:34 (deny yourself and follow Christ)
Philippians 4:13 (I can do ALL things through Christ)
2 Nephi 25:26 (we talk of Christ...)
Moroni 7:48 (true followers of Jesus strive to be like Him)
Proverbs 3:5-6 (trust in the Lord and LEAN NOT)

TALKS TO STUDY :

"A Life Centered on Jesus Christ" (Elder S. Mark Palmer, BYU Graduation Address, 2022)

"The Joy of Living a Christ-Centered Life"  (Elder Richard J. Maynes, Oct 2015)

"Trust in the Lord and Lean Not" (Sister Bonnie Cordon, April 2017)

"Staying Centered On Christ when the World is Trying to Knock You Off Balance" (churchofjesuschrist.org, June 2018) 

VIDEOS: 

Temptation Fades as We Seek Christ in Every Thought: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fta0-zS1tFo&list=PL4E784EC0770935C0&index=14

  Come Unto Jesus:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2d6l02H9vI&list=PL4E784EC0770935C0&index=33

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET: 

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them.

Here is the LINK to the printable activity page (in case it's not showing  below)


QUOTES:

“My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” Russell M. Nelson,

“In English the word lean has a connotation of physically listing or moving to one side. When we physically lean toward one side or another, we move off center, we are out of balance, and we tip. When we spiritually lean to our own understanding, we lean away from our Savior. If we lean, we are not centered; we are not balanced; we are not focused on Christ.” Bonnie Cordon

“Please remember this one thing. If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.”  President Howard W. Hunter

"So what does a Christ-centered life look like? A Christ-centered life is being faithful to covenants. It is loving and serving others. A Christ-centered life rejoices in eternal family relationships. It prioritizes “the riches of eternity” over the riches of the world. A Christ-centered life humbly accepts that “to be learned is good if [we] hearken unto the counsels of God.” A Christ-centered life is full of joy."  Elder S. Mark Palmer

"I invite you to focus on that which is within your control, to center your faith and your life on Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, and, as needed, from time to time, to recenter your life on Him. I promise that doing so will lead to true and lasting joy."  Elder S. Mark Palmer

"The world in which we live is similar to the potter’s spinning wheel, and the speed of that wheel is increasing. Like the clay on the potter’s wheel, we must be centered as well. Our core, the center of our lives, must be Jesus Christ and His gospel. Living a Christ-centered life means we learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel and then we follow His example and keep His commandments with exactness."  Elder Richard J. Maynes


OTHER RESOURCES: 
Teaching Ideas for Making the Christ the Center of Our Lives

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Be sure to come back every week for more Come, Follow Me resources!  

Enjoy learning the gospel together!
 
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Being a Wise and Faithful Steward Lesson Plan and a CFM Activity Sheet for D&C 51-57 (Jun 1)

 This blogpost features a lesson plan on being a wise steward and a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  May 26 - June 1, which includes D&C 51-57.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.
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BEING A FAITHFUL AND WISE STEWARD

Here is a sample lesson based on the section in the Come, Follow Me manual this week, entitled:  "The Lord wants me to be a faithful, just, and wise steward."      It's likely too much information for one class, so you'll need to adjust it  for the age, understanding, and attention span of your class.

DEFINE THE WORD, "STEWARD":  
I found this great definition on the church website, here.  "A person who takes care of the affairs or property of another. That which a steward cares for is called a stewardship. All things on earth belong to the Lord; we are His stewards. We are accountable to the Lord, but we may report on our stewardship to God’s authorized representatives. When we receive a calling of service from the Lord or His authorized servants, that stewardship may include both spiritual and temporal affairs."  

Make sure they really understand the concept that whenever we're given something to take care of or to watch over that we are given stewardship.  This could be as simple as a chore they've been assigned, a calling they have, making sure they are completing homework, helping take care of a pet or younger sibling, etc.

DISCUSS THE KINDS OF THINGS EVERYONE HAS STEWARDSHIP OVER:  
Talk about how there are certain things that God has blessed us with that everyone in the whole wide world has been given the same stewardship over for our whole lives.   Ask if they have any thoughts first, before sharing my thoughts below.  Each of these could make for a whole lesson in and of themselves, so keep it pretty short, unless this is the direction you feel inspired to go:
 
1. Our bodies:  This is HUGE.   Ask how many bodies each of us has?  Of course the answer is ONE.   Remind them that our bodies are a beautiful gift from Heavenly Father and that He expects us to take care of it, by exercising, getting enough sleep, and not putting harmful substances into it, etc.  This is a stewardship we have our whole lives.  
2. The world we live in:  Every single person on the whole earth is a part of of the human community and we should do our best to be a wise steward of the beautiful earth that God created.  This could mean not leaving trash outside, planting flowers, or finding ways to reduce energy usage. 
3. Our spirits:  Our parents can teach us and help us, but ultimately it's up to us whether we seek to stay close to Christ.  We can be wise stewards when we turn away from internet sites, shows, music, books, and video games that would damage our spiritual sensitivity. 
4. Our talents/spiritual gifts:   Every person in the world has their own talents and spiritual gifts and Jesus taught that to be a wise steward, we should share those talents and gifts with others.  Remind them that every person is unique and that we shouldn't compare our talents and gifts to another person's. 
5. Our time:  We each have 24-hours a day and to be wise stewards, we should be aware of those things in our life that distract us from doing what we need.  

 SUMMARIZE D&C 51:
Depending on the age of your students, you can have them skim the chapter and look for stewardship principles, or you can read a few key verses {51:8-9, 51:13-14, 51:18-19}.  Or if your students are too young to read fluently, tell them about the examples of stewardship found in the aforementioned verses. 

SHARE AN EXAMPLE FROM YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU'VE BEEN A STEWARD. 
Talk about how you ended up with the responsibility and how you performed it.  

GO AROUND THE ROOM AND ALLOW EVERYONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A TIME WHEN THEY'VE BEEN A STEWARD
Give them a minute to think and make sure to let them know you'll be going around the room and asking everyone to share.  If someone is struggling to come up with one on their own, use prompts to help them think of something.   If it's a student that just refuses to speak up, don't push it.  

SHARE AN EXAMPLE FROM YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU HAVE NOT BEEN A FAITHFUL STEWARD. 
Don't make this a long story, but share a time when you were trusted to take care of something and you failed. {this could be as simple as forgetting to feed the dog, not practicing your music, or not doing your chores...whatever you think will resonate with your class}  Talk about the consequences of your failure and how it affected whomever or whatever you were given stewardship over.   Maybe mention how it affected your relationship with the  people who assigned you the stewardship.

DISCUSS:   TRUST AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO STEWARDSHIP
After hearing your class members share about their experiences with stewardship and sharing your experience with failing at a stewardship, talk about how TRUST is an important part of stewardship.  When we receive a calling or are given responsibility to do something, that means that that person trusts enough to follow through.   Talk about how the best way to keep someone's trust is to honor that by being a wise and faithful steward.  

DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE
Note:  Keep this discussion super positive.  Many people often have a negative view of repentance and think they're "bad" if they're not doing everything right and I think it's really important to discuss how everyone messes up sometimes and that Christ does not expect us to be perfect.  What really matters is what we do when we do make mistakes.  Do we seek to repent and change?  Or do we keep on doing whatever it is we're doing?  

BEAUTIFUL QUOTE FROM APRIL 2025 GENERAL CONFERENCE ABOUT REPENTANCE:
"It saddens me to admit this, but I used to measure my relationship with the Savior by how perfectly I was living. I thought an obedient life meant I would never need to repent. And when I made mistakes, which was every single day, I distanced myself from God, thinking, “He must be so disappointed in me.”   That’s just not true.  I’ve learned that if you wait until you’re clean enough or perfect enough to go to the Savior, you’ve missed the whole point!  What if we thought about commandments and obedience in a different way?  I testify that while God cares about our mistakes, He cares more about what happens after we make a mistake. Are we going to turn to Him again and again? Are we going to stay in this covenant relationship?" Tamara Runia

TALK ABOUT HOW JESUS IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF BEING A WISE AND FAITHFUL STEWARD
 Ask your students to think of examples from Jesus's life that showed that he was a wise and faithful steward.   This list could be quite long, but here are a few I thought of: 

1. his stewardship of teaching people the principles of the gospel
2. his stewardship of showing the power of the priesthood by healing and helping the sick and poor
3. his stewardship of loving and serving the people (even washing the disciples' dirty feet)
4. ultimately his stewardship of redeeming us from our sins.  

CONCLUSION:  ASK  IF THEY CAN THINK OF ANY WAYS THAT THEY CAN FOLLOW THE SAVIOR'S EXAMPLE OF BEING A WISE STEWARD.
Listen to their thoughts and be encouraging. 

Bear your testimony and finish up. 

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ADDITIONAL STUDY MATERIAL: 
My  daughter pointed out to me that this recent Young Adult devotional  by Sister Johnson goes along perfectly with this topic and would be good to add to your studies when preparing your lesson/talk on this topic. 

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PRINTABLE CFM ACTIVITY SHEET

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ACTIVITY SHEET, IN CASE IT'S NOT SHOWING BELOW.

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Be sure to bookmark this site and come back every week for more CFM material!

Enjoy learning the gospel together! 💗
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Standing as a Witness Lesson Plan and Activity Sheet for CFM D&C 30-36 (Apr 13)

 This blogpost features a lesson plan, including an object lesson on standing as a witness of God, along with a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  March 24-30, which includes Doctrine and Covenants 27-28.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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STANDING AS A WITNESS OF GOD LESSON PLAN
As you prepare this lesson, you'll want to be thoughtful and prayerful about how you can adjust the lesson according to the specific ages, understanding, and attention span of your students.

MATERIALS NEEDED:
1. These videos downloaded and ready to show: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiEzf3J4iFk  (Selective attention video/ Jump-roping)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkR74UN92xU&t=32s (A beautiful song about being a witness of Christ)

2. Get 2  bags or boxes - one with a treat inside and the other with something boring inside ( like a roll of toilet paper or a pair of socks or something).   

Make it so you can't tell which one of the bags has the treat just from looking at it.

(NOTE:  please be aware of any food allergies that your class members may have, so that no one is excluded from being able to enjoy the treats.   Fruity candies are generally pretty allergy friendly, unless you  have someone sensitive to food dyes. Rice Krispie treats made with coconut oil or dairy-free shortening and a gluten free cereal (like Cheerios or Rice Chex), are an easy homemade treat that eliminates most common allergens as well. )

ATTENTION ACTIVITY:
Present to the class the bags or boxes (without them being able to get a glimpse inside) and tell them about the yummy treat you have inside one of them.  Mention that one of the bags contains a boring item.  Tell them that you're going to allow them to choose one of the bags, but that if they choose wrong, they're out of luck.   No second chances.  Build it up for a minute and emphasize the fact they don't get anything if they choose the wrong one.  

Ask for a volunteer to choose, but stop them before choosing and tell the volunteer that instead of choosing, they're going to be a witness.  

Allow them to peek inside both bags and tell the class which bag contains the item they want.  

(NOTE: If you have enough class members, you can repeat this process a few times and get a couple more witnesses...especially if your first witness is being silly and recommending the wrong bag) 

Then call up a new volunteer and ask them to choose, based on the witnesses' reports.

Distribute the treats now or place them on the table and save them for the end of class. 

QUESTION AND DISCUSSION ABOUT WITNESSES IN THE WORLD

Question: “What is a witness?” 

The dictionary defines a WITNESS as  “one who has personal knowledge or experience of something.” Relate it to the Attention Activity and talk about how the people who saw the treats beforehand were witnesses and now they all can see the treats, so they're all witnesses and can tell others about what they've seen and experienced. 

Question: Where do you usually hear the word WITNESS when you're not at church?  

Some possible answers may include witnesses that appear in court when there is a car accident, or the police taking  statements from witnesses when a crime has been committed.

Now I am going to show you a video clip and I want everyone to pay attention to the challenge (counting how many times the jump ropers in green landed a jump).  Maybe even mention that you will have a little prize for the person who guesses correctly. 

VIDEO

VIDEO CLIP:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiEzf3J4iFk

(NOTE:  Definitely preview this video first and make sure it suits the needs /attention span of your class.  Do NOT give any hints that there may be more to the video than just counting jumps.   We will discuss its relationship to being a witness in the next section) 

 After watching the video, discuss what people may or may not have missed while watching it.   Then talk a bit about how being a witness depends on what you're paying attention to.   Some of them may have known to look for an unexpected surprise, others may have been completely shocked to see there was a chicken or that the background color changed.  Don't get too far on a tangent though and start to direct the conversation to the meat of the lesson...being a witness for Jesus Christ.  (see more details about making this transition in the next section)   

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS?

Speaking of the video again, mention that IN ORDER TO BE A WITNESS FOR SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO BE PAYING ATTENTION TO IT.   Luckily, being a witness for Christ isn't as complicated as searching for surprises in  a fast-paced jump-roping video. 

SCRIPTURE ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSION ABOUT FULL-TIME MISSIONARIES :  Have everyone pull out their scriptures and encourage them to look at the section headings in Doctrine and Covenants 30-36 and see if they can find mentions of anyone who was called to be a witness for Christ?   (Peter Whitmer Jr, David Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery, Thomas Marsh, Parley Pratt, Ziba Peterson, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge).   Talk a little about how they were called to be WITNESSES for Jesus by being called as missionaries.  Maybe talk about a full-time missionary serving from your ward (or in your ward) and talk about how they wear nametags that literally say the name of Jesus Christ right on them.    Discuss some of the things full-time missionaries do to be witnesses. 

EMPHASIZE:   how serving a full-time mission is a great way to be a witness for Jesus, but we don't have to wait until then to be a witness.


READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE AND DISCUSS WHAT BEING A WITNESS CAN LOOK LIKE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE: 

Mosiah 18:9
"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— "

Go  point by point through the scripture and talk about what each of those things might look like to them at whatever age they're at (make this as interactive as possible and don't be afraid of silence if you ask a question and they don't answer right away; give them time and be prepared to listen): 

 * "mourn with those that mourn" -- being a friend to people who might be feeling sad or listening to someone who is worried about something

* "comfort those that stand in need of comfort"--letting someone know you care when they have something bad/hard happen to them; don't leave them alone, even if it feels awkward

* "stand as a witness of God at all times..."-- follow the commandments even when no one is watching and when you make a mistake, seek to repent quickly

*  "in all things"-- notice how certain shows, video games, internet sites, or music make you feel.  If you notice that there are some that give you a bad feeling inside or cause you to waste too much time, find a way to avoid them.  Block them from your phone or talk to your parents about helping you set limits. 

* "in all places"-- be aware of the choices you make when you are in different situations.  If certain friends or certain places make it harder to choose the right, then look for new friends or things you can do to make it easier to choose the right in that situation

 CONCLUSION: 
Share a time when you had the opportunity to be a WITNESS for Christ or when someone else was a WITNESS and it made a difference for you.   Bear your testimony of Christ and if you have time, watch and listen to this beautiful video to finish up.  

I AM A WITNESS SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkR74UN92xU&t=32s

 

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Here is an ACTIVITY SHEET that is  designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ACTIVITY SHEET IN CASE IT'S NOT SHOWING BELOW:


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Be sure to bookmark and check back every week for a new activity sheet and lesson ideas to go along with the Come Follow Me reading! 

Enjoy learning the gospel together! 

Remembering Jesus Teaching Ideas and a CFM Activity Page for D&C 27-28 (Mar 30)

  This blogpost features a lesson plan and a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  March 24-30, which includes Doctrine and Covenants 27-28.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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LESSON PLAN ABOUT KEEPING YOUR EYE SINGLE TO GOD'S GLORY (AND REMEMBERING JESUS) (D&C 27:1-4)
This is a lesson more geared for teens, but could easily be simplified for teaching primary

MATERIALS NEEDED:
cookie sheet or platter
15-20 random objects
towel for covering
paper and pen for each student

MEMORY GAME:
Show your class a platter full of about 15-20 random objects from around your house.   Allow everyone to examine the items for 30 seconds, then cover the items with a towel.

Ask them to number their papers 1-20 (or however many objects you have) and give them 1 minute to recall as many items as possible without consulting with anyone.     

ASK:
How’d you do? Why didn’t you remember everything? Talk about how we are all human and our memories are fallible. 

SHARE A PERSONAL STORY
Share a time in your life when you forgot something important

BRIEF STORY (don't let it go on too much on a tangent)
Share briefly about the world record holder for remembering items and point out that the blurb mentions that he attends training programs that help him learn skills for remembering things.  (read about him here)

ASK: 
Ask if they have any tricks they use to remember important things.  Perhaps putting it in their calendar, writing a note to themselves, setting an alert, making an acronym, etc.   

READ D&C 27:1-4
Discuss what it means to keep your eye "single to God's glory".  It doesn't mean that we stop living a normal life and become monks, but it does mean that we try to build habits into our lives that help us remember the Savior. 

GET OUT PAPER AND PEN
Tell them to think back honestly and write down a couple of things that they were thinking of during the sacrament that day.  Don't make anyone feel bad and don't make anyone share.  Perhaps you can share something off-topic that entered your mind during the sacrament to point out that it's natural for our minds to wander.

ASK
Ask if they have any tricks they or their  family uses to help you remember the Savior and the promises they make during the sacrament?    (this could be reading through the hymnbook, or reading scriptures, or a thought cue they've made, whatever they do is great...be encouraging).  Ask them to be thinking about that during the rest of the lesson and that you'll circle back to this at the end. 

SCRIPTURE ACTIVITY
Have everyone get out their scriptures (electronic or paper is fine) and ASK  "How many times is “remember” found in the scriptures?"   I don't actually know the answer to this question, but let them look it up and see it's A LOT.  If you have time, have everyone pick a random scripture that contains the word "remember" and go around the circle and ask what is so important that God wants us to remember in that particular scripture.   I found this was a powerful exercise that got everyone thinking (though please read the note below).  

**NOTE:   I was teaching teenagers and some of them were on a mission to find the weirdest scriptures possible (generally in the Old Testament).  THAT'S OKAY!   You can make any scripture work, but you may need to help them.  Don't discourage anyone....just go with whatever scripture they have found and help them to find a message, even if it's just that God knew that person by name.  Or that he doesn't want us to murder.  Or that He is aware of us in all circumstances.**

READ SACRAMENT PRAYERS IN MORONI 4:3, 5:2

Discuss what the sacrament reminds us of...

 WE PROMISE                                                         
1. To take upon me the name of Christ    |
2. To always remember him
3. To keep his commandments
HEAVENLY FATHER PROMISES
  1. We may have spirit to be with us

What do these promises look like in real life? Why do we want his spirit to be with us?


TREE OF LIFE / ATONEMENT ANALOGY
This is a great time to talk about what Christ's atonement looks like in real life.  I love this diagram that shows how Christ is as essential to our eternal life as trees are to our physical life.  Encourage them to use this idea to help them to think of a way they can keep their "eye more single to God's glory".  




PAPER AND PEN ACTIVITY
Ask them to write down what they feel inspired to do to help them REMEMBER Jesus and to keep their eye single to his glory!   

TESTIFY OF CHRIST

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SOME GREAT RESOURCES:

This blogpost:  If you decide to focus on the Armor of God, this blogpost I wrote up a couple years ago has some great ideas for you

"Put on the Whole Armor of God" by N. Eldon Tanner


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PRINTABLE CFM ACTIVITY SHEET
These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET (in case it's not showing below)




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HAVE FUN LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!