Come, Follow Me Sunday School 2017
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Come, Follow Me Sunday School 2017 Learning Resources for Youth teaching and learning for conversion Sunday School 2017 Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © 2016 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America. English approval: 5/16 13570 About This Manual The lessons in this manual are organized into units that address doctrinal fundamentals of the restored Counsel together gospel of Jesus Christ. Each lesson focuses on ques- Counsel with other teachers and leaders about the tions that youth may have and doctrinal principles youth in your class. What are they learning in other that can help them find answers. The lessons are de- settings—at home, in seminary, in other Church signed to help you prepare spiritually by learning the classes? What opportunities could they have to doctrine for yourself and then plan ways to engage teach? (If sensitive information is shared in these the youth in powerful learning experiences. conversations, please keep it confidential.) Learning outlines More online For each of the doctrinal topics listed in the contents, You can find additional resources and teaching ideas there are more learning outlines than you will be able for each of these lessons at lds.org/youth/learn. to teach during the month. Let the inspiration of the Online lessons include: Spirit and the questions and interests of the youth guide you as you decide which outlines to teach and • Links to the most recent teachings from the living how long to spend on a topic. prophets, apostles, and other Church leaders. These links are updated regularly, so refer back to The outlines are not meant to prescribe what you will them often. say and do in class. They are designed to help you • Links to videos, images, and other media that you learn the doctrine for yourself and prepare learning can use to prepare yourself spiritually and to teach experiences adapted to the needs of the youth you the youth. teach. • Videos that demonstrate effective teaching to enhance your ability to help the youth become Prepare yourself spiritually converted. To help the youth understand the principles in these outlines, you must understand and apply them yourself. Study the scriptures and other resources provided, and look for statements, stories, or ex- amples that may be especially relevant or inspiring to the youth. Plan ways to help the youth discover these principles for themselves, gain a testimony of them, and apply them in their own efforts to learn and teach the gospel. iii Contents 1 January: The Godhead 3 How does the Holy Ghost help me learn? 7 How can studying the scriptures help me learn about Heavenly Father? 10 How can I help others learn about Heavenly Father? 13 How can I learn to see Heavenly Father’s hand in all things? 17 How does the Holy Ghost help me teach the gospel? 21 February: The Plan of Salvation 23 Why is learning an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan? 27 Why is teaching the gospel important in the plan of salvation? 30 What is the role of agency in learning the gospel? 34 How can I help others participate in learning? 38 How can I use Church music to learn about the plan of salvation? 41 How can I help others understand the doctrine of Christ? 43 March: The Atonement of Jesus Christ 45 How can I use the words of living prophets and apostles to strengthen my faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ? 49 What can the scriptures teach me about the Atonement of Jesus Christ? 53 How can the Book of Mormon help me strengthen my faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ? 57 How can relying on the Savior’s grace help me become a better teacher? 61 How can I use comparisons to teach others about the Atonement? 65 April: The Apostasy and the Restoration 67 Easter: How can I share my testimony of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection? 70 What does Joseph Smith’s example teach me about learning the gospel? v 74 How can I recognize the difference between truth and error? 78 Why is it important to teach pure doctrine? 81 How can I liken the events of the Apostasy and the Restoration to my life? 85 How can I explain the Apostasy and the Restoration to others? 89 May: Prophets and Revelation 91 What can I learn from living prophets and apostles? 95 How can I improve my scripture study? 99 How does reverence help me receive revelation? 102 What does it mean to bear testimony? 106 What can I learn from President Monson about following the Spirit? 111 June: Priesthood and Priesthood Keys 113 How can I participate effectively in councils in the Church? 117 How do women and priesthood holders work together to build the kingdom of God? 121 Why is it important to follow the counsel given by priesthood leaders? 123 How can using scripture study skills help me learn more about the priesthood? 126 How can I use stories to teach others about the priesthood? 129 July: Ordinances and Covenants 131 What spiritual truths can I learn from the ordinances of the gospel? 135 How can I deepen my understanding of covenants? 138 How can I make the sacrament more meaningful to me? 143 How do I keep my covenant to always remember the Savior? 147 How can I prepare to receive temple ordinances? 151 August: Marriage and Family 153 How will keeping a personal journal bless me and my family? 157 Why is it important to learn about my family history? 161 How can I teach others how to do family history work? vi 165 How can I explain the importance of marriage and family to others? 169 What opportunities are there for learning and teaching in the home? 173 September: Commandments 175 How do the commandments help me learn to be more like Heavenly Father? 179 How can I help others understand my standards? 183 How does keeping the commandments affect my ability to learn the gospel? 187 How can I inspire others to obey the commandments? 191 What blessings does Heavenly Father promise if I obey the commandments? 195 October: Becoming More Christlike 197 How can I invite others to become more like the Savior? 201 How can I show love for those I teach? 205 How did the Savior compare gospel truths to familiar objects and experiences? 210 How can I use the scriptures to help others become more Christlike? 214 How can I use questions effectively as I teach? 218 What can I learn about gospel learning from the Savior’s example? 221 November: Spiritual and Temporal Self-Reliance 223 How can I become spiritually self-reliant? 227 How can I find answers to my own gospel questions? 231 How can I overcome doubt with faith? 235 How can I learn to make my own decisions? 239 How can setting goals help me become self-reliant? 242 How can I prepare to be financially self-reliant? 246 How can I stand as a witness of God? 249 December: Building the Kingdom of God in the Latter Days 251 Christmas: How can I share my testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? 254 How can I learn to serve more effectively in the Church? vii 258 How can I become a better leader? 262 How can I become a better teacher? 266 What are effective ways to share the gospel with others? 270 How can I understand the symbols used to teach about the Second Coming? 273 What can I learn from the scriptures to help me prepare for the Second Coming? 277 APPENDIX viii UNIT OVERVIEW January: The Godhead “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost” (Articles of Faith 1:1). The outlines in this unit will help the youth learn how to strengthen their faith in the members of the Godhead as they study the scriptures and share their testimonies with others. They will gain experience following the guidance of the Holy Ghost in their efforts to learn and teach the gospel. Encourage them to ask questions about what they are learning, to seek to learn more, and to share with others what they discover. Outlines to choose from this month: How does the Holy Ghost help me learn? How can studying the scriptures help me learn about Heavenly Father? How can I help others learn about Heavenly Father? How can I learn to see Heavenly Father’s hand in all things? How does the Holy Ghost help me teach the gospel? Note to the teacher Throughout this unit, you may want to remind the youth that the names of Deity are sacred (see D&C 63:61). Encourage them to use these names with rever- ence and respect. Visit lds.org/youth/learn to view this unit online. 1 JANUARY: THE GODHEAD How does the Holy Ghost help me learn? The Savior promised that the Holy Ghost will teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance (see John 14:26). Part of our responsibility as gospel learners is to seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost to inspire us as we study the gospel—in class, in our personal study, and in other gospel settings. Learning by the Spirit involves praying for His influence and listening for promptings to enlighten our understanding (see Alma 32:28). Prepare yourself spiritually How has the Holy Ghost Prayerfully read these scriptures and resources. What do you feel will inspire the youth helped you learn the to seek to learn by the Spirit? gospel? What experiences John 16:13 (The Holy Ghost will guide Donald L.