Come, Follow Me Daily Study Guide for the week of March 2-8, 2020 covering 2 Nephi 31-33. For personal and/or family study of the scriptures, geared towards 8 years old and older.
*This is a suggested outline that coincides with the Come, Follow Me manual. There is not just one right way when it comes to studying the scriptures. Everyone should study in a way that is best for them, but I do hope that you find these outlines helpful.
**I highly suggest getting a scripture journal. Throughout the year there will be several times that I will suggest jotting something down in your scripture journal. These are also great for writing down any impressions or “Aha” moments that you might have as you study the scriptures.
***A free PDF DOWNLOAD of the Study Guide is available at the bottom of this post. Making it easy for those who’d like to print out a copy.
==>>NEW<<==
SONGS – For a list of suggested songs for each day of the week, be sure and check out the new blog called Music for Latter-day Life by clicking HERE
FHE DAY
Start the week off right with a Family Home Evening that introduces what you’ll be studying during the week. Sign up for the Teach Me FHE email group and receive an FHE outline delivered right to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up at the bottom of this post.
THE STRAIT AND NARROW PATH
BACKGROUND/SCRIPTURE
Show the following MORMONAD.
Life has many different detours and paths that are available for us to take, many of them can be very tempting. What would happen if we left the strait and narrow path? How easy could it be to get lost and have a hard time finding our way back? What are some examples of the different detours or paths that someone might take?
Have you ever wondered what you need to do to ensure that you stay on the strait and narrow path? If you have, you’re not the first. This is exactly what Nephi’s people wondered about. Read what Nephi taught…
READ: 2 Nephi 31:17-21
MINI LESSON
Baptism and confirmation are “the gate by which [we] enter” the strait and narrow path, but what did Nephi teach that we must do once we’re on the path? Do the following drawing activity to illustrate what Nephi taught.
DRAWING ACTIVITY: For this next part you will need a large piece of paper and pens/pencils (crayons and/or markers are optional). You can use the large piece of paper and work on this together, or have each person draw their own picture in their scripture journals.
Referring to the scripture verses that you read, work together to draw a picture of “the gate by which [we] enter” and the strait and narrow path. Label your drawing with the things you must do to enter the path and continue forward on it.
READ: 2 Nephi 32:3 & 5 and answer the question…
How does the Savior help us progress along the path?
SHARE STORY BY EMILY BELLE FREEMAN: (Taken from Don’t Miss This)
What is the best thing you ever brought to show-and-tell? One time I brought a little baby lamb. I was the hero of show-and-tell that day. Everyone wanted to pet it, and feed it a bottle, and ask all the questions. That particular show-and-tell led to a memorable experience that none of us would quickly forget.
Every time I read 2 Nephi 32, it reminds me of show-and-tell. Here is why:
“Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:3; emphasis added).
“For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:5; emphasis added).
The scriptures will tell us what to do; the Holy Ghost will show us what we should do. It’s God’s own version of show-and-tell. The two combined together lead us to experiences that we won’t forget.
PONDER & DISCUSS
Can you think of a time when the scriptures told you what to do and the Holy Ghost showed you what to do? What was the outcome?
QUOTE BY ELDER LARRY Y. WILSON: “The arrival of a typhoon is no time to dust off the gift of the Holy Ghost and figure out how to use it.”
What does that quote mean to you?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (optional)
VIDEO: Receive the Holy Ghost (15:28)
See also David A. Bednar, “Receive the Holy Ghost,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 94–97
GOSPEL TOPICS: Holy Ghost
PODCAST: The Light of Christ
QUOTE: On the Right Path by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
QUOTE: “[The gift of the Holy Spirit] quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.” Pratt, Parley P. Key to the Science of Theology. Liverpool: L.D. Saints Book Dept, 1855.
PRAY ALWAYS
BACKGROUND/SCRIPTURE
READ: 2 Nephi 32: 8-9
How often when you pray, do you include all three members of the Godhead?
We pray to the FATHER, through the SON, but how often do we remember to pray with the spirit of the HOLY GHOST? How often do we invite the Holy Ghost to be with us as we pray that we may be inspired as to what to ask for?
“The Holy Ghost will always lead a man to prayer and in prayer. That is, the Spirit teaches us to pray and also gives us direction in that for which we should pray. To have the Holy Ghost is to have the promise that it will ‘be given you what you shall ask’ (D&C 50:30), and the promise that ‘he that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh’ (D&C 46:30).” (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, McConkie and Millet)
MINI LESSON
The Lord has commanded us to pray always, that we should not perform anything, “save in the first place ye shall pray.”
WATCH VIDEO: Ballet and the Book of Mormon – Practicing for Perfection (1:00), click HERE
In this life, as we are always striving to do what’s right even in the face of trials and temptations, let us remember the words of President Monson when he said…
QUOTE BY PRES. MONSON: We were not placed on this earth to walk alone. What an amazing source of power, of strength, and of comfort is available to each of us. He who knows us better than we know ourselves, He who sees the larger picture and who knows the end from the beginning, has assured us that He will be there for us to provide help if we but ask. We have the promise: “Pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”(D&C 90:24)
As our prayers ascend heavenward, let us not forget the words taught to us by the Savior. When He faced the excruciating agony of Gethsemane and the cross, He prayed to the Father, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” Difficult as it may at times be, it is for us, as well, to trust our Heavenly Father to know best how and when and in what manner to provide the help we seek.
I cherish the words of the poet:
I know not by what methods rare,
But this I know, God answers prayer.
I know that He has given His Word,
Which tells me prayer is always heard,
And will be answered, soon or late.
And so I pray and calmly wait.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the way I thought;
But leave my prayers with Him alone,
Whose will is wiser than my own,
Assured that He will grant my quest,
Or send some answer far more blest.
By Eliza M. Hickok
For a beautiful image and download of the poem, click HERE
MUSIC ACTIVITY:
In your scripture journals, make “a list of circumstances in which we could pray (or draw pictures to represent them). Then [have] your family…sing a song that teaches about prayer, such as “Did You Think to Pray?” (Hymns, no. 140), replacing some of the words in the song with the words from their lists.” (CFM manual)
PONDER & DISCUSS
Think of a time when the Lord has answered a seemingly insignificant prayer and a time when He answered a big prayer. How does it make you feel to know that He answers both big and small prayers?
In what ways are you blessed by praying to the Lord always?
What attributes must we have when we pray? (Faith, patience, humility…)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (optional)
CONFERENCE TALK: Lessons from the Lord’s Prayers by Russell M. Nelson
CONFERENCE TALK: Pray Always by David A. Bednar
CONFERENCE TALK: The Lifeline of Prayer by James E. Faust
Quote: “There is a risk that a person may not feel good enough to pray. This idea comes from that evil spirit who is the one who teaches us not to pray. It is as tragic to think we are too sinful to pray as it is for a very sick person to believe he is too sick to go to the doctor! We must not imagine that any kind of prayer, no matter how sincere, will be very effective if all we do is to say the prayer. We must not only say our prayers; we must also live them. The Lord is much more pleased with the person who prays and then goes to work than with the person who only prays. Much like medicine, prayer works only when we use it as directed.” Cornish, J. Devn. “The Privilege of Prayer.” General Conference October 2011.
ENDURE TO THE END
BACKGROUND
In 2 Nephi chapter 33, Nephi records his final testimony
WATCH VIDEO: Nephi Records His Final Testimony | 2 Nephi 33 (2:20), click HERE
SCRIPTURE
READ: 2 Nephi 33: 11-15
“Nephi, as with all the holy prophets since the world began, will stand at the judgment bar of God as a witness against those who rejected his testimony… Nephi understood the destiny of the record that he was keeping…All will be judged by the manner in which they accepted or rejected the voice of prophecy as it was available to them…” (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, McConkie and Millet)
We will all be judged according to the acceptance or rejection of the voice of prophecy found within the Book of Mormon. That can be overwhelming, whether it is because we focus on the many ways that we fall short or it is because we are overwhelmed by the trials that we face, but keep in the mind that God is a loving and merciful God. He knows each of us and He knows how hard we try. No matter what, we must not give up! We must keep going and keep trying!
To help us endure to the end, it is helpful to follow Nephi’s example of always seeing the end from the beginning and to know that what God cares about the most is that we keep on trying.
MINI LESSON
The following story is taken from Elder Uchtdorf’s personal life.
WATCH VIDEO: See the End from the Beginning (4:13), click HERE
What does seeing the end from the beginning mean?
Why does Satan not want us to see the end from the beginning?
How can focusing on the end from the beginning help us to endure to the end?
QUOTE BY ELDER RENLUND:
“…In December 2013 the world mourned the death of Nelson Mandela. After 27 years of imprisonment for his role in the antiapartheid struggle, Mandela was the first democratically elected president of South Africa. His forgiveness of those who had imprisoned him was remarkable. He received widespread acclaim and praise. Mandela frequently deflected accolades by saying, ‘I’m no saint—that is, unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.’
“…God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying.” (Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying by Elder Dale G. Renlund)
PONDER & DISCUSS
In your scripture journal write down…
In what ways do I live what I have been taught?
What is one thing that I try better at?
Do I have a plan or a goal on how I can strive to do better?
What is my plan for if/when I get discouraged?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (optional)
VIDEO: My Favorite Scripture – Henry (0:43)
VIDEO: Why Must One Pray Always to Endure to the End? (1:25)
BYU DEVOTIONAL: Stand Forever by Lawrence Corbridge (27:43) *EXCELLENT TALK*
CARTOON: Really You Give Up Now
STORY: Parable of the Broken Pinkie
STORY: Fortunately and Unfortunately
POEM: Tortoise and the Hare
CONFERENCE TALK: Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying by Elder Dale G. Renlund (10:29)
CONFERENCE VIDEO: Have We Not Reason to Rejoice? By Elder Uchtdorf (15:05)
QUOTE: “Enduring to the end implies “patient continuance in well doing” striving to keep the commandments and doing the works of righteousness. It requires sacrifice and hard work. To endure to the end, we need to trust our Father in Heaven and make wise choices, including paying our tithes and offerings, honoring our temple covenants, and serving the Lord and one another willingly and faithfully in our Church callings and responsibilities. It means strength of character, selflessness, and humility; it means integrity and honesty to the Lord and our fellowmen. It means making our homes strong places of defense and a refuge against worldly evils; it means loving and honoring our spouses and children.
“By doing our best to endure to the end, a beautiful refinement will come into our lives. We will learn to “do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us]”. The blessings that come to us from enduring to the end in this life are real and very significant, and for the life to come they are beyond our comprehension.” Uchtdorf, Dieter F. “Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?” General Conference October 2007.
QUOTE: “Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And ‘press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.’ You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.’ And it will make your children whole as well.” Holland, Jeffrey R. “Because She is a Mother.” General Conference April 1997.
GENERAL CONFERENCE DAY
Study a recent General Conference talk. A great way to study a conference talk is to have your own conference issue of the Ensign and a highlighter. Listen to the talk and as you listen, highlight the part(s) that stands out to you. Then after the talk, review and/or share and discuss what you have highlighted.
THIS WEEK’S TALK: Standing by Our Promises and Covenants By Elder Ronald A. Rasband, click HERE
SUMMARY: To walk the covenant path back to Heavenly Father, each person must live true to his or her promises to the Lord and to others. The youth theme for 2020 comes from 1 Nephi 3:7, which includes Nephi’s promise to “go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.” “To ‘go and do’ means rising above the ways of the world, receiving and acting on personal revelation, living righteously with hope and faith in the future, making and keeping covenants to follow Jesus Christ and thereby increasing our love for Him, the Savior of the world.” Members of the Church make a covenant, or a two-way promise with the Lord, at baptism to take on the name of Jesus Christ and live as He lived. This includes ministering to others and standing as a witness of God. “My question today is do we stand by our promises and covenants, or are they sometimes half-hearted commitments, casually made and hence, easily broken?” The Savior’s power in each person’s life is increased when he or she makes sacred covenants and keeps them with precision. It’s also important to keep promises to other people, as it makes it more likely for a person to keep promises to the Lord.
*For a list of discussion questions that go along with this talk, check out these from Chicken Scratch n Sniff by Clicking HERE
CATCH UP DAYS
Do one of the days that you missed OR any of the additional resources listed.
Yours Truly,
P.S. For more Come, Follow Me resources, check out my post Your Ultimate Guide to Come, Follow Me. It lists over 100 Come, Follow Me resources that are available online starting with the church’s resources at the top. You can find it by clicking HERE.
P.P.S. Sign up here for the Teach Me FHE email group and receive FHE outlines delivered right to your inbox every Sunday morning.
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