Come, Follow Me Daily Study Guide for the week of July 20-26, 2020 covering Alma 36-38. 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.
THE SCRIPTURES HAVE BEEN PRESERVED “FOR A WISE PURPOSE”
BACKGROUND
VIDEO: Alma Testifies to His Son Helaman | Alma 36–37 (7:09), click HERE
Have you ever thought about what a miracle and blessing it is to have the scriptures today?
SCRIPTURE/MINI LESSON/PONDER & DISCUSS
QUOTE BY ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON
“We owe [a great] debt to those who faithfully recorded and preserved the word through the ages, often with painstaking labor and sacrifice—Moses, Isaiah, Abraham, John, Paul, Nephi, Mormon, Joseph Smith, and many others. What did they know about the importance of scriptures that we also need to know?” (“The Blessing of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 32).
What do you think these writers knew about the importance of scriptures that we also need to know? (Scriptures preserve God’s words and commandments as communicated through His prophets.)
DO YOU REMEMBER…
Hundreds of years after Lehi’s family arrived in the promised land, their descendants encountered the people of Zarahemla (the Mulekites), who had traveled from Jerusalem shortly after Lehi’s family had.
Do you remember the difference between the Nephites who had the scriptures and the Mulekites who did not? (refer to Omni 1:17 and Mosiah 1:3–5)
Having the brass plates had brought the Nephites many blessings.
READ: Alma 37: 3-4, 8 and look for the blessings they received.
What are some ways in which the scriptures enlarge our memory? (They help us to remember the Lord and our relationship to Him and the Father. They remind us of what we knew in our premortal life. They teach us important lessons from real people who experienced them.)
HOW MUCH WATER?
*Show a large container of water or a glass of water
How much water do you need to drink every day to keep your body healthy? What happens if we don’t?
Just as our bodies need water, our spirits need living water that comes from reading the scriptures. Are you getting enough living water for your spirit to survive? What happens if it doesn’t get enough?
QUOTE BY ELDER DAVID A. BEDNAR:
“The scriptures contain the words of Christ and are a reservoir of living water to which we have ready access and from which we can drink deeply and long… A constant flow of living water is far superior to sporadic sipping.
“Are you and I daily reading, studying, and searching the scriptures in a way that enables us to hold fast to the rod of iron … ? Are you and I pressing forward toward the fountain of living waters—relying upon the word of God? These are important questions for each of us to ponder prayerfully” (“A Reservoir of Living Water” [Church Educational System fireside for young adults, Feb. 4, 2007], 7, lds.org/broadcasts).
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (optional)
ACTIVITY: Book of Mormon Treasure Hunt
CONFERENCE TALK: The Power of Scripture By Elder Richard G. Scott
CONFERENCE TALK: The Blessing of Scripture By Elder D. Todd Christofferson
TEACHINGS OF PRESIDENTS: The Power of the Word by Ezra Taft Benson
BY SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS
BACKGROUND/SCRIPTURE
(OPTIONAL) OBJECT LESSON: By Small and Simple Things, click HERE
*The above object lesson was suggested to use when studying 1 Nephi 16, if you already did it then feel free to skip it.
Alma teaches the principle, by small and simple things are great things brought to pass, to his son Helaman.
READ: Alma 37: 6
MINI LESSON
VIDEO: Small and Simple Things (5:07), click HERE
What are some small and simple things that bring about great things in our lives?
THREE EXAMPLES
Here are 3 examples you can share (adapted from Church News article “By small and simple things”)
1. Setting aside a few minutes each day to read the Book of Mormon isn’t such a difficult thing. Even the busiest of schedules allow for such time. Doing such a simple act each day lays the foundation for great spiritual development and is essential in coming to know God.
2. Being kind generally takes so little effort, yet it’s benefits are astounding. An inquisitive child wants an answer to a question. A busy mother stops her chores long enough to lovingly respond. The question’s answer is far less important than the mother’s smile and the child feeling loved.
3. A car patiently waits to pull onto a grid-locked street, jammed with cars, buses, and trucks. Given the seemingly endless line of bumper-to-bumper traffic, the driver anticipates a long wait. Yet for one of the vehicles, another driver waits and creates a space for that driver to enter the road. The deed was so small that neither party will dwell on it. But it certainly left both with good feelings.
QUOTE BY ELDER DAVID A. BEDNAR:
“We should find great comfort in the fact that ordinary people who faithfully, diligently, and consistently do simple things that are right before God will bring forth extraordinary results.” (Brigham Young University Women’s Conference address, April 29, 2011)
PONDER & DISCUSS
Are there small and simple things that we should be wary of that could lead us away from God?
What small and simple things do you do every day that lead you back to God?
What are small and simple acts of service that you can do for those around you?
Challenge family members to look for small and simple acts of service that they can give this week. Refer to this New Era article “13 Simple Service Suggestions” for a list of ideas. Have everyone decide on at least one they will do and have them write it in their scripture journals.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (optional)
CONFERENCE TALK: Small and Simple Things by Dallin H. Oaks
CONFERENCE TALK: Small and Simple Things by Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela
NEW ERA ARTICLE: Simple Answers, Great Rewards
VIDEO: Spiritual Balance – Small and Simple Things
ALMA COMMENDS HIS SON SHIBLON
BACKGROUND
VIDEO: Alma Commends His Son Shiblon | Alma 38 (2:37), click HERE
SCRIPTURE
In Alma chapter 38 we read of Alma’s words to his son Shiblon. As noted in the video, Alma is very proud of Shiblon.
READ: Alma 38: 2-4 and pick out all the words that describe Shiblon.
After sharing all the words that describe Shiblon, ask “Who do you know that is like this?”
QUOTE BY DIETER F. UCHTDORF:
God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good (“You Matter to Him,” Ensign, November 2011).
MINI LESSON/PONDER & DISCUSS
On the website Awesome Inventions, they have a post filled with funny warning signs. Scroll through and look at the signs.
FUNNY WARNING SIGNS, CLICK HERE
- Why are warning signs or messages important?
- What are some warnings that parents often give their children?
- Why is it important for parents to give warnings to their children?
Even though Shiblon is faithful, Alma gives him some warnings.
READ: Alma 38: 10-15
Name at least 5 warnings that Alma gave Shiblon.
In verse 12, Alma uses the word “bridle”. What do you think bridle means?
SHOW PICTURE:
(The following questions & quote were taken from Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families)
- Where on the horse is a bridle used?
- Is the purpose of the bridle to kill the horse?
- What is a bridle used for? (to control and direct a horse)
- Is a bridle a good or a bad thing? Why?
REFER TO ALMA 38:12
- What did Alma ask his son to bridle?
- Did that mean he was to destroy his passions?
- Is controlling our passions a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
QUOTE:
Taken from Feb 1994 Ensign article “Bridle All Your Passions” by Bruce and Marie Hafen
Is self-denial wise because there is something wrong with our passions, or because there is something right with our passions? Alma taught his son: “See that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love” (emphasis added). He did not say we should suppress or eliminate our passions but rather bridle them – harness, channel, and focus them. Why? Because disciplining our passions makes possible a richer, deeper love.”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (optional)
CONFERENCE TALK: The Power of Patience by Elder Robert C. Oaks
NEW ERA ARTICLE: How to Be Patient by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
NEW ERA ARTICLE: How to Wait on the Lord by Elder Robert D. Hales
VIDEO: (2:41) Continue in Patience (the marshmallow experiment)
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: “Let This House Be Built unto My Name” (D&C 124:40) by Elder David A. Bednar, 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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