Come, Follow Me
December 26th- January 1st
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Compiled with love by the Blodgett Family — free to use, share, and enjoy with your family ☺
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�We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning�
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New Testament Student Institute Manual
Latter-Day Kids Family Home Evening lesson plans
To truly learn from the Savior, I must accept His invitation, “Come, follow me.”
To truly learn from the Savior, I must accept His invitation, “Come, follow me.”
SCRIPTURE
18 And 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.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
- Matthew 4:18-22
To truly learn from the Savior, I must accept His invitation, “Come, follow me.”
Thomas S. Monson
President of the Church
2008 - 2018
[W]e have been provided with a perfect example to follow—even the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—and we have been instructed to follow that example…When Jesus extended to a certain rich man the invitation, “Come, follow me,” He did not intend merely that the rich man follow Him up and down the hills and valleys of the countryside. We need not walk by the shores of Galilee or among the Judean hills to walk where Jesus walked. All of us can walk the path He walked when, with His words ringing in our ears, His Spirit filling our hearts, and His teachings guiding our lives, we choose to follow Him as we journey through mortality.
…Nothing else, no other choice we make, can make of us what He can.
- President Thomas S. Monson, “Ponder the Path of Thy Feet,”�General Conference, October 2014
Come, Follow Me�(Hymn Book #116)
MUSIC
1. “Come, follow me,” the Savior said.
Then let us in his footsteps tread,
For thus alone can we be one
With God’s own loved, begotten Son.
2. “Come, follow me,” a simple phrase,
Yet truth’s sublime, effulgent rays
Are in these simple words combined
To urge, inspire the human mind.
3. Is it enough alone to know
That we must follow him below,
While trav’ling thru this vale of tears?
No, this extends to holier spheres.
4. Not only shall we emulate
His course while in this earthly state,
But when we’re freed from present cares,
If with our Lord we would be heirs.
5. We must the onward path pursue
As wider fields expand to view,
And follow him unceasingly,
Whate’er our lot or sphere may be.
6. For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow’rs,
And glory great and bliss are ours,
If we, throughout eternity,
Obey his words, “Come, follow me.”
Text: John Nicholson, 1839–1909
Music: Samuel McBurney, 1847-1909
Click HERE to view a
Slideshow of lyrics!
To truly learn from the Savior, I must accept His invitation, “Come, follow me.”
I need to know the truth for myself
I need to know the truth for myself
SCRIPTURE
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
- Luke 11:19-23
I need to know the truth for myself
Craig C. Christensen
Former Member of the Presidency of the Seventy
Does each of us know for ourselves that the gospel is true? Can we say with confidence that our testimonies are truly our own?...Learning for ourselves that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is true can be one of the greatest and most joyful experiences in life. We may have to begin by relying on the testimonies of others—saying, as the stripling warriors did, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” This is a good place to start, but we must build from there. To be strong in living the gospel, there is nothing more important than receiving and strengthening our own testimony. We must be able to declare, as Alma did, “I…know these things of myself.”
…[N]ow is the time and today is the day to learn or reaffirm for ourselves that the gospel is true. Each of us has an important work to do. To accomplish that work, and to be protected from worldly influences that seem to be constantly looming, we must have the faith of Alma, Nephi, and young Joseph Smith to obtain and develop our own testimony.
- Elder Craig C. Christensen, “I Know These Things of Myself,”�General Conference, October 2014
Seek the Lord Early�(Children’s Songbook #108)
MUSIC
I’ll seek the Lord early while in my youth,
And he will help me to know the truth.
I’ll search the scriptures and find him there,
Then go to our Father in fervent prayer.
I’ll seek the Lord early, and I’ll obey
His living prophets in all they say.
I’ll keep his commandments; his love will abound.
I will seek the Lord early, and he will be found.
Click HERE to view a slideshow of lyrics!
Words and music: Joanne Bushman Doxey, b. 1932. © 1984 IRI
I need to know the truth for myself
4:57
How can we make our scripture study more meaningful?
How can we make our scripture study more meaningful?
SCRIPTURE
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
- John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
How can we make our scripture study more meaningful?
Julie B. Beck
Former Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
The Lord has told us that our time should “be devoted to the studying of the scriptures”…If you have not already developed the habit of daily scripture study, start now and keep studying in order to be prepared for your responsibilities in this life and in the eternities…One good way to start studying the scriptures is to “liken” them to ourselves…
Whichever way a person starts studying the scriptures, the key to unlocking important knowledge is to keep studying. I never tire of discovering the rich treasures of truth in the scriptures because they teach with “plainness, even as plain as word can be”. The scriptures testify of Christ. They tell us all things we should do. They “make [us] wise unto salvation”…Through your habit of daily scripture study, you will be “led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written”.
- Sister Julie B. Beck, “My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures,”�General Conference, April 2004
Search, Ponder, and Pray�(Children’s Songbook #109)
MUSIC
1. I love to read the holy scriptures,
And, ev’ry time I do,
I feel the Spirit start �to grow within my heart-
A testimony that they’re true.
Words: Jaclyn Thomas Milne, b. 1949. © 1986 IRI
Music: Carol Baker Black, b. 1951. © 1986 IRI
2. So, prayerfully I’ll read the scriptures
Each day my whole life through.
I’ll come to understand.
I’ll heed the Lord’s command
And live as he would have me do.
Chorus:
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.
Click HERE to view a slideshow of lyrics!
How can we make our scripture study more meaningful?
3:05
Daily Scripture Study: How can I better understand and feast on the scriptures? (Eyring & Holland)
2:23
What should I do when I have questions?
What should I do when I have questions?
SCRIPTURE
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
- James 1:5-6, 22
What should I do when I have questions?
Jeffrey R. Holland
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your “unbelief.”…I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have…Be as candid about your questions as you need to be; life is full of them on one subject or another. But if you and your family want to be healed, don’t let those questions stand in the way of faith working its miracle…
The scriptures phrase such earnest desire as being of “real intent,” pursued “with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God.” I testify that in response to that kind of importuning, God will send help from both sides of the veil to strengthen our belief…Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.
- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Lord, I Believe’,”�General Conference, April 2013
A Child’s Prayer�(Children’s Songbook #12)
MUSIC
1. Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel it close around me as I pray.
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
“Suffer the children to come to me.”
Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee.
Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938
© 1984 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.
Click HERE to view a
Slideshow of lyrics!
2. Pray, he is there;
Speak, he is list’ning.
You are his child;
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer;
He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom,
the kingdom of heav’n.
3rd time, Sing Both Together
What should I do when I have questions?
“We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning”
“We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning”
SCRIPTURE
58:26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
88:118 And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
- Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-28; 88:118
“We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning”
David A. Bednar
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Each member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an individual responsibility to learn and live the Lord’s teachings...We should not expect the Church as an organization to teach or tell us everything we need to know and do to become devoted disciples and endure valiantly to the end. Rather, our personal responsibility is to learn what we should learn, to live as we know we should live, and to become who the Master would have us become…Inspired Church leaders, teachers, and activities help individual and family efforts to grow spiritually. And though we all need help pressing forward on the covenant path, the ultimate responsibility for developing spiritual strength and stamina rests upon each one of us…If all you or I know about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel is what other people teach or tell us, then the foundation of our testimony of Him and His glorious latter-day work is built upon sand. We cannot rely exclusively upon or borrow gospel light and knowledge from other people—even those whom we love and trust.
- Elder David A. Bednar, “Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing,”�General Conference, April 2019
Teach Me to Walk in the Light �(Children’s Songbook #177)
MUSIC
1. (Child) Teach me to walk in the light of his love;
Teach me to pray to my Father above;
Teach me to know of the things that are right;
Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.
2. (Parent) Come, little child, and together we'll learn
Of his commandments, that we may return
Home to his presence, to live in his sight--
Always, always to walk in the light.
3. (Both) Father in Heaven, we thank thee this day
For loving guidance to show us the way.
Grateful, we praise thee with songs of delight!
Gladly, gladly we'll walk in the light.
Words and music: Clara W. McMaster, 1904-1997 © 1958 IRI
Obbligato by Darwin Wolford, b. 1936. © 1989 IRI
Click HERE to view a
Slideshow of lyrics!
“We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning”
Learning requires acting in faith
Learning requires acting in faith
SCRIPTURE
Alma 32:27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
D&C 18:18 Ask the Father in my name, in faith believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.
- Alma 32:27; Doctrine and Covenants 18:18
Learning requires acting in faith
Russell M. Nelson
President of the Church
2018 - Present
[T]he answer to each of your challenges is to increase your faith. That takes work. Lazy learners and lax disciples will always struggle to muster even a particle of faith…Become an engaged learner. Immerse yourself in the scriptures to understand better Christ’s mission and ministry. Know the doctrine of Christ so that you understand its power for your life…You obtain that power with your faith, trust, and willingness to follow Him…
[Next], act in faith. What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith…exercising faith can seem overwhelming. At times we may wonder if we can possibly muster enough faith to receive the blessings that we so desperately need…The Lord does not require perfect faith for us to have access to His perfect power. But He does ask us to believe.
- President Russell M. Nelson, “Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,”�General Conference, April 2021
Faith�(Children’s Songbook #96)
MUSIC
1. Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day.
Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.
Faith is like a little seed: If planted, it will grow.
Faith is a swelling within my heart. When I do right, I know.
2. Faith is knowing I lived with God before my mortal birth.
Faith is knowing I can return when my life ends on earth.
Faith is trust in God above; In Christ, who showed the way.
Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow Whenever I obey
Words: Beatrice Goff Jackson, b. 1943. © 1978 IRI
Music: Michael Finlinson Moody, b. 1941. © 1978 IRI
Click HERE to view a
Slideshow of lyrics!
Learning requires acting in faith
3:05
The End