Come, Follow Me Daily Study Guide for the week of July 13-19, 2020 covering Alma 32-35. For personal and/or family study of the scriptures, geared towards families with teenagers, single adults, and empty nesters.
*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. OR you can add Melanie’s Library to your mobile device home screen by following these instructions, click HERE
****SONGS – For a list of suggested songs for each day of the week, be sure and check out the blog called Music for Latter-day Life by clicking HERE
FHE DAY
Start the week off right with a Family Home Evening that is focused around the upcoming week’s Come, Follow Me. 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.
I CAN CHOOSE TO BE HUMBLE
BACKGROUND
The poor Zoramites were not allowed into their synagogues or places of worship. Because of it, the poor Zoramites asked Alma the younger and Amulek how they were to worship God if they’ve been cast out. Alma sees that they are humble and that they want to learn more about God.
What does it mean to be humble or to have humility?
Listen to how Dieter F. Uchtdorf describes humility.
VIDEO: Humility (1:06), click HERE
SCRIPTURE/PONDER & DISCUSS
READ: Alma 32: 1-16
- What experiences have humbled you?
- What have you done to become more humble?
- What is the difference between being “poor as to things of the world” and being “poor in heart”? (verse 3).
- What does it mean to “humble [yourself] because of the word”? (verse 14).
- What do you think it means when in verse 16 it says: Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble?
MINI LESSON
In this next video, President Hinckley points out many ways we can choose to be humble.
*For an activity, ask everyone to get out their scripture journals and jot down as many as they can that President Hinckley lists. When it’s over, give a skittle or other small candy for each of the ones they listed. Then discuss everyone’s list.
VIDEO: Choose to be Humble (1:18), Click HERE
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (optional)
ENSIGN ARTICLE: The Choice of Humility By Elder Adrián Ochoa
I CAN WORSHIP GOD IN PRAYER, ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE
BACKGROUND
As we learned in Alma chapter 31, the Zoramites had set prayers that they recited. In chapters 33 and 34 we read of Alma and Amulek’s counsel about worship and prayer meant to correct specific misunderstandings the Zoramites had.
*In these chapters Zenos and Zenock are mentioned. As noted in the CFM manual:
Zenos and Zenock were prophets who testified of Jesus Christ during Old Testament times, but their teachings are not found in the Old Testament. The Nephites had access to the teachings of these prophets, probably because they were included in the brass plates that Nephi obtained from Laban. They are also mentioned in 1 Nephi 19:10–12; Jacob 5:1; and Helaman 8:19–20.
SCRIPTURE/MINI LESSON
READ: Alma 33:2-11 and 34:17-29 and make a list of truths about prayer in your scripture journals *You may choose to divide up family members into two groups and give each group a chapter. Then have everyone share what they learned.
VIDEO: Heavenly Father Knows Me (3:18), click HERE
PONDER & DISCUSS
- Referring to your list of truths about prayer, what are some possible misconceptions about prayer in today’s world that these truths correct?
- Chapter 33 we read words from Zenos. How many times does he use the word mercy? What relationship do you find between God’s mercy and prayer?
- How can we improve our individual and family prayers?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (optional)
ENSIGN ARTICLE: Why Does Alma Share the Story of Moses and the Brass Serpent?
THIS LIFE IS THE TIME TO PREPARE TO MEET GOD
BACKGROUND
VIDEO: Studio C – A Massive To-Do List (4:30), click HERE
ASK: What does it mean to procrastinate?
QUOTE FROM DALLIN H. OAKS: This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God… Are we preparing? What if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow—through our premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgivenesses would we extend? What testimonies would we bear? If we would do those things then, why not now? Why not seek peace while peace can be obtained?
SCRIPTURE
READ: Alma 34: 32-35
MINI LESSON
The following are excerpts from a conference talk entitled Straightway by Marvin J. Ashton:
Image by @ThoughtHawk
Someone has wisely said, “Procrastination is a silly thing, it only makes me sorrow; but I can change at any time—I think I will tomorrow!”
“Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
“And they straightway left their nets, and followed him…
Straightway is a power word. Straightway is an action word. It means immediately, without delay or hesitation. It means at once. Also, it is associated with having no curve or turn—a straight course, track, or path. Procrastination would be the very opposite of straightway. To procrastinate is to put off intentionally and habitually something that should be done. Procrastination is unproductive delay…
…Some think that if they wait long enough, their problems will go away. But they don’t. They must be worked through. Before we can solve our problems and put our lives in order, we must accept full responsibility for our problems.
We often avoid taking action because we tell ourselves that our problem was caused by circumstances or people beyond our control. Therefore, we think we can abdicate our responsibility, and we find ourselves hoping that other people or a change of conditions will solve our difficulties. Rather, it is our responsibility to repent—to change, and to move forward without delay.
PONDER & DISCUSS
Consider how you might “improve [your] time while in this life” (verse 33).
How can repentance help you prepare to meet God?
Are there changes you need to make that you have been procrastinating?
Be sure to act on any spiritual impressions you receive.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (optional)
NEW ERA ARTICLE: How to Prepare for the Second Coming by Dallin H. Oaks
CONFERENCE TALK: Straightway by Marvin J. Ashton
CONFERENCE TALK: What Lack I Yet? By Elder Larry R. Lawrence
CONFERENCE TALK: Now Is the Time to Prepare by Russell M. Nelson
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: A Good Foundation against the Time to Come By Elder Gary E. Stevenson, click 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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