Come follow Me- Youth, Aug 18-24, Young Men and Young Women lesson helps

I guarantee your students did not wake up this morning and want to learn about the Word of Wisdom. You, as a teacher, need to ask questions that help them see that this is something they want to know more about. That this actually applies to their lives. I recommend praying and thinking about your approach to help get your youth engaged. This is one suggestion:

I would start by asking the students about their favorite birthday gift. Maybe it was when they were younger, or just recently. Maybe it got ruined or lost, but it was their gift, and they were free to do with it whatever they wanted. Do some people view their bodies like that? I mean, it is quite literally a "birthday gift."(: Talk to the youth about this. Asking lots of questions.

If our bodies are temporal, we are all going to die someday. Why do we need any rules for our bodies?

Should commandments only be for our spiritual and eternal well-being?

This is a Free Print:

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Doctrine and Covenants 89

The Lord gave me the Word of Wisdom to help me be healthy in body and spirit.

When the elders in the School of the Prophets first heard Joseph Smith read the Word of Wisdom, they immediately “tossed their pipes and plugs of chewing tobacco into the fire” (Saints, 1:168). They wanted to show their willingness to obey the Lord. Perhaps you have already “tossed” from your life the substances the Word of Wisdom warns against, but what else can you learn from this revelation? Consider these ideas:

This is from the Primary manual, but I think it is very youth worthy:

Elder Gary E. Stevenson counseled young people to plan in advance what they will do when tempted with alcohol or drugs. He taught: “You will find that temptation has less control over you. You will have already made the decision of how you will react and what you will do. You won’t need to decide every time” (“Your Priesthood Playbook,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 48). After reading together Doctrine and Covenants 89:4 and Elder Stevenson’s statement, counsel with your children about how they can decide now—for the rest of their lives—to live the Word of Wisdom. You could even role-play how they might respond if someone, even a friend, offers them something that is against the Word of Wisdom. How does the Lord bless us as we obey the Word of Wisdom? (see verses 18–21).

This is a Free print.

Print Here

• Think of the revelation as “a principle with promise” (verse 3)—enduring truths that guide decision-making. What principles do you find that can guide your decisions? What blessings does the Lord promise? (see verses 18–21). How has He fulfilled those promises in your life?

• What examples have you seen of “evils and designs … in the hearts of conspiring men” related to the Word of Wisdom? (verse 4). In addition to this revelation, what has the Lord given to help you avoid or overcome these evils?

• What does this revelation teach you about the Lord? How does the Word of Wisdom relate to Doctrine and Covenants 29:34–35?

• What are you prompted to do to better care for your body?

You may have had opportunities to explain to others why you live the Word of Wisdom—and you may have more opportunities in the future. Consider how you might use these opportunities to testify of the Savior, the sacredness of our bodies, and other spiritual truths. For ideas, see “Your body is sacred,” For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices, 22–29.

See also 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Thomas S. Monson, “Principles and Promises,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 78–79; Topics and Questions, “Word of Wisdom,” Gospel Library; “The Word of Wisdom,” in Revelations in Context, 183–91; “Addiction,” “Physical Health,” Life Help, Gospel Library.

If you would like to purchase the lesson (or just use my idea), start with a board like this: You can read the scripture verse 3

and talk about the Principle and Promises.

Pass around a bowl like this:

If it is a Principle, there will be a question for them to answer after they read their quote. If it's a promise, you can have your own discussion on how they have seen this in their lives. They can sort these on the board.

There is also a story from President Monson and a reflection card.

I often like to close by asking my youth, "How does this testify of Jesus Christ?" If I am lucky, I can close with them bearing their testimony of our Savior.

Here is a movie put out by the Church called the Word of Wisdom:

This week's gift tag is already in the lesson bundle. But if you would like to purchase it separately, you can click on the image.

This is not a spinner, just a retro gift tag(: