NEW TESTAMENT Come Follow Me Teaching Ideas and Resources for October 23-29 {1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon}

This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for October 23-29, 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:   SCRIPTURES ARE LIFE'S GPS: 

Ask your class/family what they do when they want to find somewhere they've never been before.   Allow them some time to answer and lead them (if they don't come up with it on their own) to how nice it is to use the  Maps or GPS app on your phone.   Talk a little about how nice it is that the GPS can tell you not only where you are right now, but the best route to get to a place you've never been before.   
  Then tell them that you're hoping to live with God again someday and you want to know the way to "heaven" or the "Celestial Kingdom"  (whatever terminology is best for your students).  Open up the GPS App on your phone and type in “Heaven” or "Celestial Kingdom" for the destination .  Show them your results and ask them if any of that looks like it will be helpful information to finding your way to live with God again.  

Ask them if they know of any better ways to learn the way to get back to God.   There are lots of right answers you can discuss here, including praying, listening to our leaders at General Conference, reading the scriptures, etc.   All these are great answers and worth discussing more.   

To finish up,  read, 2 Timothy 3:16:  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."  

Bear testimony that the scriptures are a good GPS for our life and that by reading the scriptures we can learn more about Jesus and even get a better idea of how we're doing on our journey.   Jesus is the best example of all and if we do our best to follow Him, repent when we mess up, and make sure we take some quiet time each day to connect with God and make sure we are on the "covenant path," someday, through Christ's love and atonement, we will be able to live with God again.    

QUOTES:   

"Likewise, those who have faith and the word of God deep in their hearts will be able to absorb and overcome the fiery darts that the adversary will surely send to destroy us. Otherwise, our faith, hope, and conviction may not endure, and like the empty microwave oven, we could become a casualty.

I have learned that having the word of God deep in my soul, coupled with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, allows me to draw upon the power of God to overcome the adversary and anything he may throw at me. As we face challenges, we can rely upon the promise of the Lord taught by Paul: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  "Enduring Power," Elder Kelly R. Johnson, October 2020

"Recently, as I have been reading and pondering the scriptures, two passages in particular have stayed with me. Both are familiar to us. The first is from the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The second scripture is one which came to my mind as I pondered the meaning of the first. It is from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to Timothy: “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
I believe the second scripture explains, in great part, how we can accomplish the first. We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see.

Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others." "Be An Example and a Light," Thomas S. Monson, October 2015


VIDEOS: 

2 Timothy 4:  I Have Kept the Faith/ The Apostle Paul Endures to the End   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjlyUNAi7Oc



2 Timothy 3:  A Prophecy of the Last Days  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWbWqN8Hm3A


Book of Philemon Summary:  A Complete Animated Overview (not a church produced video)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9Q3Jt6Yvk




ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

NEW TESTAMENT Come Follow Me Teaching Ideas and Resources for October 16-22 {1 and 2 Thessalonians}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for October 16-22, 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.



"STUDYING TO BE QUIET" TEACHING IDEA: 

I've included a couple personal pictures in this section, in case your family/class needs a visual cue to get the conversation started. 
 
Start by asking someone to tell about some time in their life when it was really loud (maybe a sporting event, a concert, or a party).   What was happening?  How did they feel?   There are no wrong answers...just listen to what they share.    

Now ask them about some time when it's been very quiet.   What was happening then?   How did they feel?  (it might be during a test at school, or late at night when everyone's sleeping, or whatever)    Again, just listen...

Now read,  1 Thessalonians 4:11:   "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;"

  Now share a quiet experience you've had where you've intentionally set aside distractions in your life and felt closer to God.  Perhaps in the temple, or during your gospel study.   

Now talk a bit more about how we know that the Spirit speaks to us in a still, small voice.   And it doesn't have to be loud to our ears to be too loud to hear the Spirit.   Phones, books, games, etc can all make our environment spiritually noisy, so that it's much harder to hear the Spirit. 

Focus on the first part of the scripture again and ask them what they think it means to "Study to be quiet."   Sometimes it takes practice to put aside the spiritual noise that distracts us and, just like we practice to get better at sports or music, we should be practicing every day (even if it's only for 5-10 minutes) to be better at communicating with God.  

QUOTES:   

“The most effective way to preach the gospel is through example. If we live according to our beliefs, people will notice. If the countenance of Jesus Christ shines in our lives, if we are joyful and at peace with the world, people will want to know why. One of the greatest sermons ever pronounced on missionary work is this simple thought attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi: ‘Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words’" “Waiting on the Road to Damascus,” Dieter Uchtdorf,  May 2011

“Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. We should know the gospel is true and be true to the gospel” “Converted unto the Lord,” David A Bednar, Nov. 2012. 

VIDEOS: 

2 Thessalonians 2 / A Prophecy of the Apostasy and Restoration  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsbNRs-yWvo

Book of 1 Thessalonians Summary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No7Nq6IX23c&t=29s

(NOTE:  This video is not written with an LDS audience in mind, but it is doctrinally sound and I do not hesitate to recommend it) 

ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

NEW TESTAMENT CFM Teaching Ideas and Resources for October 9--15 {Philippians; Colossians}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for October 9-15, 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: 

Start off by telling your family/class that Philippians is known as the "GOSPEL OF ________."   Then  play a quick game of hangman to guess the word that goes in the blank, which is JOY.    If you have enough people in your group, assign each person a block of scriptures with a marking pen (or instructions on how to mark electronically) and have them find all the instances of the words JOY or REJOICE in Philippians.  I counted 16, but maybe you'll find some I missed???

Ask them what Paul had to be so joyful about?  Remind them that he was in prison while he wrote this letter.   Have them guess a few things, then, in a different color marking pen, have them mark (or show your already marked scriptures) all the times the words JESUS or CHRIST are mentioned.  I counted 39 times.   

Then bring it all together and talk about Paul was joyful because of Jesus!  

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.  When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation, which President Thomas S. Monson just taught us, and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at Christmastime when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”9 And we can feel it all year round. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!"  "Joy and Spiritual Survival," Russell M. Nelson, October 2016

"If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness, we will never know joy. The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and sensations, but they will never experience joy! Joy is a gift for the faithful. It is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.

He taught us how to have joy. When we choose Heavenly Father to be our God and when we can feel the Savior’s Atonement working in our lives, we will be filled with joy. Every time we nurture our spouse and guide our children, every time we forgive someone or ask for forgiveness, we can feel joy."
  "Joy and Spiritual Survival," Russell M. Nelson, October 2016

VIDEOS:  

I Can Do All Things Through Christ: 2023 Youth Theme:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7OqDMoSaak

Philippians 1-2:  Christ, My All in All  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJxgZVggfO8&t=29s

(Note:  This video was not created with an LDS audience in mind, however the content is great and I recommend just cutting it off about 30 seconds from the end when he starts asking for subscribers)

ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

NEW TESTAMENT Come, Follow Me Teaching Ideas and Resources for October 2-8 {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!!!

NEW TESTAMENT 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!!!